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By Sara Karnish

Critique groups or critique partners are a great way for writers to get immediate, helpful feedback on their work. Call them the First Reader, accountability partners, or simply the “critique group I belong to”—whatever their name, this small group of trusted folks is invested in helping you get your draft over the finish line and ready to publish. This works both ways because they are also looking for feedback on their work.

When offering feedback, keep in mind it is meant to be constructive. This means you should give the author helpful suggestions on a manuscript. Avoid hurtful, insulting, and general “unconstructive” commentary.

Below are a few tips to give a critique without being too critical: 

  • Be specific in your feedback. “I didn’t like it” is not only hurtful to the author, but also not helpful. What didn’t you like about the piece? Are there any parts that you did like, or that struck a positive chord with you? Focus on giving specific suggestions. “I thought the main character was superficial, and I don’t think a middle-aged woman in the South would say ‘you guys’—she would likely say ‘y’all’” gives the author a better sense of what specific aspects of the piece did not ring true for you from both a character and dialogue standpoint. This should also motivate the author to go back through the draft to look for other examples of unrealistic dialogue. 
  • Don’t get personal. Limit the feedback to the words on the page. Don’t bring personalities or other issues into the discussion. Remember—you also want suggestions to strengthen your own work, and likely wouldn’t want insults or personal grudges to come into the conversation. Keep it professional and limited to the work, not the author.
  • Focus on the positives. Is there a best-friend character whose witty one-liners kept you laughing? Do you wish the adorable dog showed up in more scenes? Did the author nail that twist ending? Point out what you liked best so the author knows what’s already working in the story.
  • Use the “sandwich” method. The “sandwich method” of critique is “positive comment/negative comment/positive comment.” One example: “Your plotline really kept me hooked. I really liked the cop character and would like to see him in more scenes because I think he and the forensics expert work well together, but overall, I think the storyline is strong and it kept me turning pages.” This gives the author positive reinforcement about the whole piece, but points out weak areas that could be made better.

Ideally, the author will leave the critique session excited and invigorated to get back to work on the piece to make it the best it can be.