How to Critique and Be Critiqued

by Rick Walton

There are many ways to critique and be critiqued. Here is one way that has worked for me and the classes I've taught.

The author prepares the manuscript for the critique.
1. Polish your manuscript as well as you can. It doesn't need to be perfect, but the more polished it is, the higher level of critique you'll get.
2. Make enough copies of the manuscript for everyone in the class or critique group. Pass it out to everyone early enough for everyone in the group to have time to read it before the critique session.
The critiquer reads the manuscript and prepares for the critique.
1. Look for things you like.
2. Look for possible improvements. Look at the big things first--structure, style, etc. Then look for the smaller things. Finally, look for grammatical, punctuation, and spelling corrections.
3. Make legible, understandable notes of your observations on the manuscript.

If necessary, the reader briefly explains the nature and purpose of the manuscript.

Don't apologize, qualify, or justify. The readers know this is a draft. If it were perfect, it wouldn't need critiquing.
The author reads the manuscript aloud to the group. Or they have someone else read it aloud. You can learn a lot by hearing someone else read your manuscript out loud.
While the author reads, the critique reads along.

Make notes on anything else you see.

The critiquers comment on the manuscript.
1. Point out what's working, what you like. Be specific.
2. Point out some things that you think could make the manuscript better, or ask questions about parts that confuse you. Be specific.
3. Don't comment on grammar, punctuation, spelling, and other little things that can be easily understood from your notes.
4. Don't be afraid to make comments. Everyone knows something about writing. And you all know different things. You might know something that others in the class don't, and your comments might be helpful. And even if you don't have specific writing comments, you are a reader and can express your response to the reading--your confusion, delight, surprise, etc.
While the critiquers comment, the author listens.
1. Make notes on what the critiquers say. Consider the comments on their own merits. Good comments can come from unpublished writers, and bad comments can come from widely published writers.
2. Thank people for their comments. Don't argue them. You can, though, ask questions to clarify what the reader is seeing.
3. If a critiquer asks a question about your manuscript or what you're trying to do, answer it.

The critiquer passes the manuscript with notes on it back to the author.
1. The author reads through the notes.
2. Edit your manuscript according to what you learned from the discussion and notes.
3. Ignore anything you don't agree with. The final judgment is yours.