Giving Critique
~ Maintain the right balance: Neither give over aggressive and negative feedbacks hurting the self-esteem of writer nor give false appreciation in order to be too nice.
~ Be honest and direct, but polite while giving critique. Be mindful of your way of sharing your thoughts.
~ Do not quarrel/argue/abuse
~ Try to provide a critique focusing on several elements like characterization, continuity, pacing, grammar, techniques, plot, format of text, dialogue, conflict etc.
~ Point out both what you liked and what you thought wasn't working well.
~ As far as possible be specific in pointing out things that you didn't like. Do not give vague ideas like I would have removed that part...instead, tell why you thought that part wasn't fitting in the work.
~ Give suggestions on the ways to correct the things that need correction. Author may get a better understanding of the point you are making and might get a better idea to improve.
Receiving Critiques
~ Take every critique in positive spirit. Do not argue with someone’s critique of your work. If you don’t like the changes suggested, just say “Thank you,” and move on. After all, a critique is an opinion, and opinions may differ from person to person.
~ Feel free to ask questions for clarification.
~ In the end, author has the right to accept or reject the suggestion so be polite in receiving the critiques. If you don't want to make changes to your work and think it best as it is, then you have the right to do so. No need to argue with members or show them your defiance of their suggestion. However, generally speaking, if everyone or most of them have same reaction, then there is probably something to it
Specific Guidelines
For online members
~ There are some simple, specific critique writing guidelines (in addition to those given above) for online members to enable proper functioning of the group. These will be available to members on Golden Quill google group.
For onsite members
~ Members can save time and add value by providing printed copies/photocopies of the work to be critiqued. It will be helpful in discussing larger issues of the work, rather than pointing out each typo, and the author can take back the copies with written comments to check for line edits later.
~ Having printed copies with members' notes also reduces author's need to take notes while receiving critiques and thus he/she can listen more attentively and put up better follow-up question.
~ Avoid repetitious comments. Refrain from pointing out the same things that others have already discussed.
~ Time may be fixed for each critique as per the requirement.
