Critique

Critiquing

• Members should take turns critiquing, each at a time. This makes it easier for the member being critiqued to concentrate on what’s being said and also allows time for valid points to be made without interruption.
• Critique the writing, never the writer. Never say, “You are…” or “You should…” Instead say, “The writing is…” or “The story should…”
• Find at least one thing that you like in each piece as well as one thing you don’t like.
• Don’t say, “This is how I would write it;” how you would write it isn’t the point.
• Remember that subject matter is personal. You don’t have to like a story to give it a fair critique.
• Remember what your biases are and critique around them.
• Remember that real people wrote this stuff, and real people have real feelings.

Being Critiqued

• Listen. The person who is speaking has taken the time to listen to your work, and wants to help you find ways to make it better.
• Wait until everyone has finished critiquing before making comments.
• Explain only if necessary. Don’t rebut.
• Take notes.
• Realize that everything can be improved.
• Be willing to make changes. Conversely, don’t change anything you feel must remain in order to make the story yours.