When you are critiquing someone’s writing please remember the following guidelines.

1. Start the critique by telling the author what they did right, and then follow up by telling the author what they did wrong in their writing.
2. Critique the writing. When recommending ways to improve another’s work say “The story should…” or “This writing is…”
3. Do not critique the writer. Never say, “You are…” or “You should…”
4. Give a fair and useful critique even if you don’t like the topic.
5. Never say anything remotely close to “This is awful”, “That is stupid”, or “You’re an awful writer.”

Would you like a chance to sharpen your critiquing skills? If so, then join Review Fuse or enter our free Holiday writing contest.

Jacob