Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
- Kat Lady
- OBOD Druid
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Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
Below is a list of policies put together as suggestions for those who wish to participate in the portion of the forum set aside for more private suggestions. If you wish to gain access to the forum, please request access on this thread acknowledging you have read the general guidelines and send an email to administrators@druidry.org requesting access. These guidelines, as well as the FAQS, are brought to you by Leaflady, Duellist, Raveighen, Pworrell, Corvin and Wyeuro. Many thanks for their hard work!
CRITIQUING POLICY
This is not meant to be a "checklist". These are just points to keep in mind in case you wonder "have I mentioned everything?" or "I don't know where to start".
Giving and Receiving Helpful Critiques
Use the “sandwich method”. Say something the critiquer likes about the piece, then progress to points that may be weaknesses or may be improved. Finish with another positive comment. This kind of critique tends to be hopeful, helpful, and friendly and almost always well received.
Offer both positive and negative comments. Good critiques point a writer in directions for improvement. The “sandwich” critique prevents a writer feeling that the critiquer had nothing good to say. Also, being told what is very good is just as valuable as being told what is less so. You don’t want the writer to scrap something you thought was great just because you failed to mention it! We grow when we can identify our strengths as well as our weaknesses.
Read the manuscript through once entirely without making any comment.
Identify what “works” for you and what doesn’t in each of the three broad areas – plot, character, and writing.
Refrain from reading other critiques until you have completed your own. The writer wants your reaction and having knowledge of other critiques may alter your perception.
Be precise rather than fuzzy. If something “doesn’t work” for you, say why; offer suggestions.
Don’t nitpick.
Don’t critique a genre you hate.
Do not point out numerous individual grammar errors. If there are many, just let the author know that this weakness exists.
The Three Broad Areas - Plot, Character, and Writing
1) Plot
Is the story interesting? Do you want to read more, or do you feel impatient because the story seems to drag?
Is the problem clearly delineated; do the scenes carry the story forward?
Do scenes connect in a logical way, or are you thinking, “this makes no sense”?
Are there slow passages, too much repetition, too much explaining, too many flashbacks, big information dumps?
Are the facts consistent?
2) Character
Are the characters’ names “right” or too stereotypical, too hard to keep track of, too similar, unpronounceable?
Do the characters seem believable? Are they too perfect? Are they “generic” or do they have real personality? Is there a good sense of their emotions, attitudes, values, appearance? Are there enough or too many details; are the details spread out or “dumped”?
Do you care about the characters?
Refrain from making moral judgements on a writer’s characters.
Is the character growing/changing/learning?
Do they talk in a believable way? Do they all sound alike? Is there too much/not enough dialogue?
Do you suddenly feel that a character is doing something totally inconsistent with what you have come to know of them?
Is there emotional conflict - within and between characters? Are there too many conflicts, or not enough?
Is the behavior convincing for the time/place/society?
Note well-written dialogue and places where character is conveyed well.
3) Writing
Is the story compelling enough that the writing “carries you along”? Do you stop to think, “that’s an awkward sentence” or “this is getting boring”? Where did the writing itself pull you out of the story? Too-often-repeated words, faulty grammar, punctuation and spelling, monotonously similar sentence lengths, clichés can all do this.
Is there too much passive writing? Too much background information? Where does it drag?
Did you have to re-read anything before you understood it?
Is the research sloppy, facts inaccurate?
Is the setting well described? Can you visualise what’s happening, where you are? or would you like a few more details?
Would another point of view improve the story?
Does humour unintentionally slide into sarcasm; does emotion and tragedy descend to melodrama?
Does the writer show or tell?
Note well-written images and scenes.
What parts did you love? what’s great about this?
How to Receive a Critique
Phrase any responses as a question: ask for clarification of what you don’t understand. If your critiquer said a scene was “unclear” or confusing, but said no more, you probably want to know the reason.
Which suggestions to take and which to ignore? You will get better at deciding as you go along.
CRITIQUING POLICY
This is not meant to be a "checklist". These are just points to keep in mind in case you wonder "have I mentioned everything?" or "I don't know where to start".
Giving and Receiving Helpful Critiques
Use the “sandwich method”. Say something the critiquer likes about the piece, then progress to points that may be weaknesses or may be improved. Finish with another positive comment. This kind of critique tends to be hopeful, helpful, and friendly and almost always well received.
Offer both positive and negative comments. Good critiques point a writer in directions for improvement. The “sandwich” critique prevents a writer feeling that the critiquer had nothing good to say. Also, being told what is very good is just as valuable as being told what is less so. You don’t want the writer to scrap something you thought was great just because you failed to mention it! We grow when we can identify our strengths as well as our weaknesses.
Read the manuscript through once entirely without making any comment.
Identify what “works” for you and what doesn’t in each of the three broad areas – plot, character, and writing.
Refrain from reading other critiques until you have completed your own. The writer wants your reaction and having knowledge of other critiques may alter your perception.
Be precise rather than fuzzy. If something “doesn’t work” for you, say why; offer suggestions.
Don’t nitpick.
Don’t critique a genre you hate.
Do not point out numerous individual grammar errors. If there are many, just let the author know that this weakness exists.
The Three Broad Areas - Plot, Character, and Writing
1) Plot
Is the story interesting? Do you want to read more, or do you feel impatient because the story seems to drag?
Is the problem clearly delineated; do the scenes carry the story forward?
Do scenes connect in a logical way, or are you thinking, “this makes no sense”?
Are there slow passages, too much repetition, too much explaining, too many flashbacks, big information dumps?
Are the facts consistent?
2) Character
Are the characters’ names “right” or too stereotypical, too hard to keep track of, too similar, unpronounceable?
Do the characters seem believable? Are they too perfect? Are they “generic” or do they have real personality? Is there a good sense of their emotions, attitudes, values, appearance? Are there enough or too many details; are the details spread out or “dumped”?
Do you care about the characters?
Refrain from making moral judgements on a writer’s characters.
Is the character growing/changing/learning?
Do they talk in a believable way? Do they all sound alike? Is there too much/not enough dialogue?
Do you suddenly feel that a character is doing something totally inconsistent with what you have come to know of them?
Is there emotional conflict - within and between characters? Are there too many conflicts, or not enough?
Is the behavior convincing for the time/place/society?
Note well-written dialogue and places where character is conveyed well.
3) Writing
Is the story compelling enough that the writing “carries you along”? Do you stop to think, “that’s an awkward sentence” or “this is getting boring”? Where did the writing itself pull you out of the story? Too-often-repeated words, faulty grammar, punctuation and spelling, monotonously similar sentence lengths, clichés can all do this.
Is there too much passive writing? Too much background information? Where does it drag?
Did you have to re-read anything before you understood it?
Is the research sloppy, facts inaccurate?
Is the setting well described? Can you visualise what’s happening, where you are? or would you like a few more details?
Would another point of view improve the story?
Does humour unintentionally slide into sarcasm; does emotion and tragedy descend to melodrama?
Does the writer show or tell?
Note well-written images and scenes.
What parts did you love? what’s great about this?
How to Receive a Critique
Phrase any responses as a question: ask for clarification of what you don’t understand. If your critiquer said a scene was “unclear” or confusing, but said no more, you probably want to know the reason.
Which suggestions to take and which to ignore? You will get better at deciding as you go along.
If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.--Mark Twain
- raveighen
- OBOD Bard
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Re: Guidelines and requests to access the Writers' Grove
I agree to the guidelines proposed.
- pworrell
- OBOD Bard
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-
- Posts: 113
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Re: Guidelines and requests to access the Writers' Grove
I agree to these guidelines.
Mneme
PS - Thanks guys for putting them together!
Mneme
PS - Thanks guys for putting them together!
- Duellist
- OBOD Bard
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Re: Guidelines and requests to access the Writers' Grove
I agree to these guidelines, but then I probably should...
Sanity is overrated...
-
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
Agree.
Also think not nitpicking can be defined something like concise respectful criticism of key issues.
Not that i'm nitpicking nitpicking
Also think not nitpicking can be defined something like concise respectful criticism of key issues.
Not that i'm nitpicking nitpicking
- wyeuro
- OBOD Druid
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
I agree,
wyverne /|\
wyverne /|\
visit my druid blog: http://wyldwyverne.wordpress.com/
http://www.druidry.org/board/dhp/images ... -acorn.gif
in the peace of the grove
http://www.druidry.org/board/dhp/images ... -acorn.gif
in the peace of the grove
- Unna
- OBOD Bard
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
I agree!
You should do things because they're right. Not because gods say so. They might say something different another time. (Terry Pratchett, Small Gods)
- Fox
- OBOD Ovate
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
I've read the guidelines and agree to them. I'd like access to the writing forum, please.
- wyeuro
- OBOD Druid
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
Good on ya! Nice to have you along!
wyverne /|\
wyverne /|\
visit my druid blog: http://wyldwyverne.wordpress.com/
http://www.druidry.org/board/dhp/images ... -acorn.gif
in the peace of the grove
http://www.druidry.org/board/dhp/images ... -acorn.gif
in the peace of the grove
- HinduDruid
- OBOD Ovate
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
Hi -- may I have access? I agree to the guidelines
I enjoy defying description.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." --Soren Kierkegaard
“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream. Wandering by lone sea breakers, and sitting by desolate streams. World losers and world forsakers, for whom the pale moon gleams. Yet we are movers and the shakers of the world forever it seems.” -- Arthur William Edgar O'Shaughnessy
- wyeuro
- OBOD Druid
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
Hallo, HinduDruid, I look forward to working with you
wyverne /|\
wyverne /|\
visit my druid blog: http://wyldwyverne.wordpress.com/
http://www.druidry.org/board/dhp/images ... -acorn.gif
in the peace of the grove
http://www.druidry.org/board/dhp/images ... -acorn.gif
in the peace of the grove
-
- OBOD Bard
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
I agree to the guidelines and would like to have access, I am just about to start the Bardic portion of the course, just waiting on the mail its so slow from over there to here.
- Duellist
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
Welcome to the group, JSheets; I have added you to the group, so please feel free to read and contribute.
Sanity is overrated...
- LadyCelt
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- Duellist
- OBOD Bard
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
And another member added. Welcome Lady Celt.
For the sake of new members joining us, I would point out that it is possible to apply to the group from the User Control Panel. You should still post here to agree to the rules, but you are likely to get approved faster because it doesn't rely on us noticing that there is a new post here .
For the sake of new members joining us, I would point out that it is possible to apply to the group from the User Control Panel. You should still post here to agree to the rules, but you are likely to get approved faster because it doesn't rely on us noticing that there is a new post here .
Sanity is overrated...
- LadyCelt
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
Thank you, Duellist! I wasn't in any hurry to gain access, as I've only now just returned from holiday.
- Astrid
- OBOD Druid
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
I agree to these guidelines.
Where there is tea there is hope
- wyeuro
- OBOD Druid
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
welcome aboard, Astrid!
wyverne /|\
wyverne /|\
visit my druid blog: http://wyldwyverne.wordpress.com/
http://www.druidry.org/board/dhp/images ... -acorn.gif
in the peace of the grove
http://www.druidry.org/board/dhp/images ... -acorn.gif
in the peace of the grove
-
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Re: Critiquing Policies & requests to access the Writers' Grove
I agree to the guidelines, and would love to have access to the group.
Beltaine blessings to all,
Caerlyn
Beltaine blessings to all,
Caerlyn