The Do's and Dont's of Critiques

[vc_row][vc_column][title type="subtitle-h6"]Chandler Adams[/title][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="11/12"][vc_column_text]A major part of any workshop course, whether that's and English, creative writing, or art course, is having your work critiqued by your peers. Sometimes showing your work to people you don't necessarily know very well can be nerve-wracking, let alone allowing your work to be critiqued at all and the potential for negative feedback.Critiques can also be a great help to budding writers and artists in the long run. They allow for the opportunity to gain audience feedback and possible suggestions on how to give your work that special something that will make it great. As someone who has to deal with both creative writing and art critiques, I'm still uncomfortable submitting my work to the scrutiny of my classmates and professors. I would rather just get a solid grade on a piece and call it done, but that's not how creative growth happens and along the way I've picked up a few general rules when it comes to critiques, for both the critic and the critiqued, that often help workshops run smoother and easier for everyone.

For the Critic:

DO offer honest feedback. Though no one wants to hear that something about their piece isn't working, constructive criticism is the best way for an artist or writer's work to grow and become better.DO feel comfortable addressing your comments directly to the person whose work you are critiquing. I've been in so many workshops where people refuse to make eye contact with the creator of the work we're critiquing because their uncomfortable giving criticisms. This only serves to make the workshop even more awkward and uncomfortable for everyone involved.DO be willing to offer suggestions on how a writer or artist can change a particular aspect of their work. This is what constructive criticism is. Every part of a piece that's not working the way it should can be changed and if you have a suggestion on how this can be done feel free to add it to your feedback.DO back up every statement you make with evidence from the piece you are critiquing. Just saying I don't like that part, doesn't let the person being critiqued know what you don't like about their work or what they could do to make it better.DON'T offer comments based on the relationship you might have with the person whose work you are critiquing. Giving a friend only positive feedback or giving someone you might not be fond of only negative feedback isn't helpful for anyone. There needs to be a balanced mix of good and negative feedback for the critique to be valuable for the writer or artist. No famous writer (like J.K. Rowling and Dan Brown) or artist (Kara Walker or Banksy) got where they are today by hearing only positive or only negative feedback about their work.DON'T be too harsh. While constructive criticism is great, being so negative that you can't find anything good in a piece is not. Even what you think might be the worst piece you've ever seen is someoneís hard work manifested on paper . It is always possible to find something praiseworthy. Figuratively tearing someone elseís work to shreds without offering any positive suggestions wonít make you look smarter or make your piece look any better than anyone elseís when itís your turn to be critiqued.

For the Critiqued:

DO listen to what your peers have to say. Though it may not feel like it, getting feedback, both positive and negative on a piece is what gets the creative thoughts flowing. Sometimes a classmate may offer a solution to a problem that you might not have thought of or they could reaffirm your own feelings towards a certain section of your piece that may be working really well. It's important not to miss these comments in the flow of feedback coming at you.DO engage in the conversation, if possible. In some courses the person whose work is being critiqued is not allowed to talk during the discussion and in others the critiqued is allowed to ask questions of their critics; it really depends on the professor running the workshop. Each version has its downsides and merits; but if you are able to talk during your critique, feel free to ask questions about sections of your work you are unsure about or ask for suggestions in how to make sections work better as a part of your work.DON'T get defensive. Though sometimes the feedback during workshops can be tilted toward the negative, no one is out to absolutely tear your work apart. Negative feedback can be hard to hear but it also gives you a heads up on what you could work on as a writer of artist. Often the feedback and suggestions can come out harsher than itís meant to be. Usually no one is trying to make you feel like your work is bad. Donít get discouraged and give up just because you think a critique went poorly.DON'T take the critique too seriously. You donít have to please everyone with your work. Everyone has their own preferences and someone is bound to dislike your work. That doesnít mean you have to change the entire thing to make that one person happy. Though every bit of feedback matters, you can pick and choose what you take into account when re-editing your piece for a final grade or portfolio. What matters in the end is that you like your work and feel like it's the best possible work you can do. Usually that pleasure in your work shows through in the end and can make your piece shine.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]