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Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Aug 17 03, 12:26

Critiquing Tips

Our strength at Mosaic Musings lies in our ability to offer and receive constructive feedback (positive and negative) from our peers. Our purpose in this forum is to provide a setting where each of us can point out the strengths and weaknesses of a piece and to offer suggestions on improving the piece in a manner that is constructive and beneficial to all who post and read here at the Mosaic.

When giving a critique:

• Be honest and courteous.
• Always look for the positive(s) and offer feedback.
• Be constructive. Do not only point out what you find wrong in the piece, offer suggestions on how to improve it. There's a big difference between "I don't get it - what's your point?" and "I do not understand the relationship between the birds and the cars, can you please elaborate for me?"
• Be diplomatic, critiquing is subjective and may hold different interpretations for different readers.
• Try not to belabor a point.
• When in doubt, ask for clarification. You may not be the only one who does not understand something within the piece.
• Critique as you'd like to be critiqued. Avoid personal antagonistic remarks, focus on the piece, not the writer and keep the goal of improvement in mind.

When receiving a critique:

• Take any opinion as a 'suggestion'. Remember, everyone has an opinion. They may differ from your own and that's OK.
• Feel free to take what you will and disregard the rest.
• If you find more than two offering the same suggestion(s), take it into serious consideration (for a revision).
• Listen - and incorporate those ideas that do not differ from your original message/intention, that will improve your piece.
• Do not take ANY critique personally. Criticisms of your work are not criticisms of you as a person.
• If you disagree with a suggestion (and have supporting reasons), explain your rationale to the critiquer, but do not feel you must defend your work.
• If a critiquer's comments surprise you, explain what you intended and ask how you could have avoided triggering his or her reaction.
• Just because two or more people think your piece should be changed in a way that you, the author, disagree with, you are NOT UNDER OBLIGATION TO CHANGE YOUR PIECE.  
• Please, be courteous to the critiquers as they've given of their valuable time for the sake of your piece.  Ultimately, it is YOUR piece ... you don't have to change anything.  However, if you have no desire to change anything, you may prefer to post in a non-critiquing forum.

NEW ADDITION: http://www.poetrymagic.co.uk/critiquing.html

A GREAT RESOURCE FOR CRITIQUING TIPS!

Posted by: Athena Aug 18 03, 02:19

Hi Lori and All,

I feel a need to add something to the excellent instructions you've already given, and that is:

Just because two or more people think your piece should be changed in a way that you, the author, disagree with, you are NOT UNDER OBLIGATION TO CHANGE YOUR PIECE.  

But please, be courteous to the critiquers as they've given of their valuable time for the sake of your piece.  Ultimately, it is YOUR piece ... you don't have to change anything.  However, if you have no desire to change anything, you may prefer to post in a non-critiquing forum.

Thanks for your ear ....  

Athena

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Aug 20 03, 05:01

My thankies Athena!  :costume:

I've added your tips as well to the 'crit' forums.

I cannot believe I missed mentioning them?!

Thanks for watching out for me!  :jester:

Cheers!
~Cleo :pharoah2

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Aug 22 03, 16:47

Hi Athena!

I've modified your suggestion by replacing the word "poem" with "piece'..

Thankies!
~Cleo

Posted by: Cathy Nov 11 04, 11:22

These tips are very helpful!  I'm always afraid to say too much for fear of hurting someone's feelings or making them mad.  lol

I'm very careful when I comment!



Cathy