Unlawful Intrusion: Critique for fellow Scribes - Mastering the Craft of Feedback in Writing
When it comes to providing feedback in a writers' group, striking the right balance between honesty, encouragement, specificity, and kindness is crucial. Here are some key practices to keep in mind:
Understand the Writer's Intentions
Begin by clarifying what the writer aims to achieve with their piece. This creates a collaborative atmosphere and helps tailor feedback to whether the writing meets those goals.
Balance Strengths and Weaknesses
Highlight what works well to encourage the writer and keep their creative spark alive. For example, point out effective imagery, character development, or dialogue before addressing areas that could be improved.
Be Specific and Objective
Focus on concrete aspects of the writing, such as structure, clarity, pacing, or character consistency. Avoid vague comments or personal judgments. Use observational and non-emotional language.
Limit the Number of Suggestions
Concentrate on one to three main points to avoid overwhelming the writer. Offer clear, actionable advice so improvements feel manageable.
Use Kind and Respectful Tone
Employ language that is encouraging and supportive. For instance, "Consider developing this character’s motivation further to enhance reader engagement," rather than blunt criticism.
Invite Dialogue
Frame feedback as an invitation to discussion rather than a one-way judgment. Encourage the writer to share their perspective and collaborate on solutions.
Recognize Progress and Effort
Celebrate improvements and dedication to the craft, not only polished results, to build morale in the group.
Facilitate "Sudden Illumination"
Suggesting ideas that might not have occurred to the writer can spark new ideas and improve their story. Be specific in your feedback, using industry-specific vocabulary to convey clear information.
Keep the Big Picture in Mind
When giving feedback, think separately about The Idea and The Execution. A great way to wrap up feedback is to discuss the theme, bringing the conversation back to the big picture.
Start with a Sincere Compliment
Giving feedback can feel less like criticism and more like collaboration by beginning with a sincere compliment. Lila Heston, a professor at Northwestern University, had a rule in her Oral Interpretation class that the first comment after a performance must be complimentary.
Support the Writer's Vision
Constructive notes should support the writer's vision, not the reader's. Consider the big picture of the premise, the concept and how it plays out, which is the plot, before drilling down to execution.
A writers' group can provide a supportive space that sparks ideas, sharpens skills, and drives everyone's writing to new heights. A deft touch in a story can appear excessive to the creator after multiple revisions, but productive suggestions aim to help the writer tell the best possible version of their story.
- Clarify the writer's intentions to establish a collaborative atmosphere for tailored feedback on the piece.
- Highlight strengths in the writing, such as effective imagery, character development, or dialogue, before addressing weaknesses.
- Be specific and objective in criticism, focusing on aspects like structure, clarity, pacing, or character consistency.
- Concentrate on one to three main points to avoid overwhelming the writer with numerous suggestions.
- Use a kind and respectful tone to address the writer, offering encouragement rather than criticizing.
- Frame feedback as an invitation to dialogue, encouraging the writer to share their perspective and collaborate on solutions.
- Recognize the writer's progress and effort to build morale within the group, not just polished results.
- Be specific in your feedback, suggesting ideas that might improve the story and using industry-specific vocabulary.
- Balance the discussion between The Idea and The Execution, with the theme serving as a way to bring the conversation back to the big picture.
- Begin a constructive note with a sincere compliment to soften the feedback and make it feel less criticizing. Support the writer's vision, not the reader's, as it is essential to tell their best possible story. A supportive writers' group can spark ideas, sharpen skills, and drive everyone's writing to new heights.
