Good Reviews are Critical
All serious writers find it necessary to have someone read their
draft and offer useful comments. Each honest, critical reviewer
has a hand in helping a writer turn his draft into a piece of
literary excellence. You may even see your name listed in the
credits someday.
If you find a piece you consider wonderful, and your comment is
'this is wonderful!', and give it five stars, that is not a
critique, that's praise. We all do it and sometimes the item is
perfect, there really isn't any more to say. The author would
like to be told though, why you think it's wonderful. Is it the
story? The characters? Did you relate to the plot, or did it
make you laugh or cry?
I love praise. Everyone needs a good dose regularly. Praise is
my pay for writing; but after all, I joined the site to learn
the meat and potatoes of writing. If I also receive a little
praise, that's the gravy.
What makes a good story, in the end, is the interpretation of
the reader. Everyone is not going to like or agree with
everything they read. A good reviewer reads objectively. The
writer doesn't need your rating or your opinion on either his
opinion or his choice of subject, he needs it on how well he
wrote the piece. After he's published, you can choose whether to
buy it or not.
Writers must be able to trust their reviewers. Most authors on
the site are working toward publication, and their aim is for
the item to be the best it can be. Be honest and encouraging.
They can get there without you, but it will be much more
difficult.
Honest and constructive critiques are important to both the
reviewer and the author. As we learn to read critically, we are
learning to write more intelligently. Reading critically helps
you to become aware of how you, as a reader, respond.
When I read an item I critique it seriously, as completely as
possible with two intentions. The first is to help the author to
the best of my abilities. I help in the areas I can. I don't
attempt to cover all the issues of a critique because I don't
have the knowledge.
The second is for me, it helps with my own writing. As I read a
story and notice things that may need changing, then read my own
items, I can more easily see where I have made the same
mistakes.
By rating honestly -- and providing the all important
constructive criticism, we do a great job of helping everyone.
It is always better to rate honestly, regardless of age. If we
were to rate highly, and a younger member submitted an item to
their English teacher, expecting an "A" and got back a "D", that
wouldn't be good at all, would it?
On the other end, if it is an older person, and they're rated a
"5" when they deserve a "3", then if they submit their item to a
publisher or publication and get a scathing rejection letter,
they'll be devastated.
Hopefully, while you are helping others by pointing out mistakes
and corrections and giving suggestions, it helps you to explore
your own writing style and learn what you like and don't like as
you go. Reviewing is one of the best ways to improve your own
writing and creative processes. So keep that in mind when you're
doing it... remember to take it in for yourself as well as the
author you're reviewing.
So you see, learning to give a good review is critical to both
the review'er and review'ee.
Keep Writing!