Writer's Circle Critique

For the Critiquing Process:

• Group members speak first and may engage in discussion about a particular topic
• Refer ONLY to the author, not the person by name
• Author speaks last, no need to defend (you can explain your writing style or an event that seems "out of place")
• Group discusses which changes are most important and needed
• Group discusses what was BEST about the work

When reading a submission for critique, you should:

• Have a quiet place to read (we will be in the library, so there should be no talking during this time)
• Slow down, listen to what you are reading in your head, this is not time for skimming, it's time to concentrate on the story and its elements
• What worked or didn't work? Make sure to make notes as you read about story elements or plot devices, etc. - things that worked or didn't

When you are critiquing, remember to:

• Start with good things (there is always something good - maybe it's that the story is on paper)
• Don't wast time on copy editing in the first, second, or even third drafts - wait until the next to last draft and fix these errors for the final manuscript.
• Discuss larger issues with the story elements
• Note smaller problems that are not grammar related (doesn't a sentence not flow particularly well, etc.)
• Offer suggestions (How can the author "fix" this problem?)
• Remember your manners (use the Golden Rule when critiquing another's work)
• Start with the larger problems and work into the page-by-page comments
• Ask questions that you have about the manuscript
• End your critique with encouragement for the author, don't be afraid to tell the truth, just be careful how you do it!

Receiving the Critique

• Don't interrupt to try to explain your thinking, don't defend your work (your peers are trying to help you make this a better manuscript, there is NO other agenda)
• TAKE NOTES (if someone in the group had a problem or really liked something, you want to note that to remember it for later)
• LISTEN (you don't always have to change everything that your group says you need to change, pay attention to your reasoning for writing the manuscript as you did, incorporate those changes that will make the manuscript better)
• Remember this is NOT a personal attack (sometimes that hard, but work on it, it gets easier)