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Advice on critiquing writing
Today's column had a great question about what to do when you're confronted with a friend's self-published poetry. (Oh, how I wish I could share with you all the poem that the LW sent me as evidence! That hardly seems fair, though.)
Once something's published, it's done, so that was the situation I addressed. But what about being asked to read (or critique, edit, vet) a friend's unpublished work? It's a situation I'm often put in, and have been long before I became Miss Conduct, so here's what I've come up with to keep both prose and personal life intact.
1. Make sure the other person wants a critique. They may simply be sharing something for the point of sharing it, especially if it's a piece of creative writing. Those of us who write for a living may immediately slip into task mode at the sign of printed language, but for some people, writing is just a hobby.
2. If they do want a critique, or proofreading, or formatting help, ask a few questions so that you are both clear on what level of help your friend wants, and what you can offer. Do they want your first impressions? Are they unsure of their grammar or punctuation, or is English not their native language? Are you an expert in what they are writing about, and are being asked to comment more on content than on style? Be clear about what you can offer in terms of expertise and time.
3. What is the strategic purpose of your reading your friend's work? What is the most important outcome? Is the most important thing that the document wind up good? (If it's a work situation, and your name is on the document, too, well, that would be the case there.) Is it important that the writer learn or develop? Is the most important thing that the friendship be deepened? Keep this goal in mind when you're doing your critique.
4. Do it. Don't promise to read someone's work and then turn out to be "too busy." That is the most obvious lie, and damning criticism, ever.
5. Aftercare. Professional writers are used to it, but for many people, having personal writing critiqued is a painful experience. Make sure, especially if you had a lot of remarks on the writing, to validate the writer's basic ideas, experiences, and general coolness-of-self afterward.
This is what's worked for me in my personal and work friendships. Which, since I'm a writer, tend to involve looking at other people's writing a lot. But I suspect this advice would be the same whether a friend or colleague asks for feedback on anything else, from a science project to a quilt. What do you think of my advice? What would you add?
Once something's published, it's done, so that was the situation I addressed. But what about being asked to read (or critique, edit, vet) a friend's unpublished work? It's a situation I'm often put in, and have been long before I became Miss Conduct, so here's what I've come up with to keep both prose and personal life intact.
1. Make sure the other person wants a critique. They may simply be sharing something for the point of sharing it, especially if it's a piece of creative writing. Those of us who write for a living may immediately slip into task mode at the sign of printed language, but for some people, writing is just a hobby.
2. If they do want a critique, or proofreading, or formatting help, ask a few questions so that you are both clear on what level of help your friend wants, and what you can offer. Do they want your first impressions? Are they unsure of their grammar or punctuation, or is English not their native language? Are you an expert in what they are writing about, and are being asked to comment more on content than on style? Be clear about what you can offer in terms of expertise and time.
3. What is the strategic purpose of your reading your friend's work? What is the most important outcome? Is the most important thing that the document wind up good? (If it's a work situation, and your name is on the document, too, well, that would be the case there.) Is it important that the writer learn or develop? Is the most important thing that the friendship be deepened? Keep this goal in mind when you're doing your critique.
4. Do it. Don't promise to read someone's work and then turn out to be "too busy." That is the most obvious lie, and damning criticism, ever.
5. Aftercare. Professional writers are used to it, but for many people, having personal writing critiqued is a painful experience. Make sure, especially if you had a lot of remarks on the writing, to validate the writer's basic ideas, experiences, and general coolness-of-self afterward.
This is what's worked for me in my personal and work friendships. Which, since I'm a writer, tend to involve looking at other people's writing a lot. But I suspect this advice would be the same whether a friend or colleague asks for feedback on anything else, from a science project to a quilt. What do you think of my advice? What would you add?
The author is solely responsible for the content.
About Miss Conduct
Welcome to Miss Conduct’s blog, a place where the popular Boston Globe Magazine columnist Robin Abrahams and her readers share etiquette tips, unravel social conundrums, and gossip about social behavior in pop culture and the news. Have a question of your own? Ask Robin using this form or by emailing her at missconduct@globe.com.
Welcome to Miss Conduct’s blog, a place where the popular Boston Globe Magazine columnist Robin Abrahams and her readers share etiquette tips, unravel social conundrums, and gossip about social behavior in pop culture and the news. Have a question of your own? Ask Robin using this form or by emailing her at missconduct@globe.com.
contributor
Robin Abrahamswrites the weekly "Miss Conduct" column for The Boston Globe Magazine and is the author of Miss Conduct's Mind over Manners. Robin has a PhD in psychology from Boston University and also works as a research associate at Harvard Business School. Her column is informed by her experience as a theater publicist, organizational-change communications manager, editor, stand-up comedian, and professor of psychology and English. She lives in Cambridge with her husband Marc Abrahams, the founder of the Ig Nobel Prizes, and their socially challenged but charismatic dog, Milo.
Who is Miss Conduct?
Robin Abrahamswrites the weekly "Miss Conduct" column for The Boston Globe Magazine and is the author of Miss Conduct's Mind over Manners. Robin has a PhD in psychology from Boston University and also works as a research associate at Harvard Business School. Her column is informed by her experience as a theater publicist, organizational-change communications manager, editor, stand-up comedian, and professor of psychology and English. She lives in Cambridge with her husband Marc Abrahams, the founder of the Ig Nobel Prizes, and their socially challenged but charismatic dog, Milo.
