A portion of our meeting is dedicated to personal critique of our WIP (Work In Progress). Depending on the size of the group, we may either stay as one big group for the critique time or divide into smaller "genre" cells. If there are more people than manuscripts, we can share.
Manuscript Criteria: Please note that we have changed the guidelines to 20 copies of a maximum of THREE (3) double-spaced pages with one-inch margins and 12-pt. font. Also, please use the Line Numbering feature in Microsoft Word for your manuscript (go to the Layout tab and click Line Numbering). This will automatically number each line for quicker reference during the critiquing process. While the members are giving feedback, please do not speak until all have finished unless someone asks a direct question.
For more In-depth critiquing
than we can do during our meeting,
consider this article by
Marlene Bagnull and Susan Titus Osborn
The Critique Process
(as suggested by Marlene Bagnull and Susan Titus Osborn)
It is impossible for most people to critique their own work. Realizing that the critiquing process can be very threatening, here are some guidelines:
GUIDELINES FOR CRITIQUERS:
GUIDELINES FOR THE PERSON BEING CRITIQUED:
Critique Checklist
(taken from The Complete Guide to Christian Writing & Speaking)
Are the verbs active? Are the nouns specific?
Does the dialogue sound natural?
Is the speech consistent with the speaker and the situation?
Do the characters seem real? Are they behaving rationally? Do you care what happens to them?
Is the work focused? Is there a theme? Is the author’s point coming through clearly?
Does the material flow smoothly? Is it well organized?
Does it suit the age of the potential reader?
Is the nonfiction illustrated with anecdotes?
Does the fiction plot seem logical?
Are the paragraph and sentence lengths too long?
Was the spelling and punctuation checked?
Is the meaning clear and the writing concise?
Does the manuscript have value for the prospective reader? Does it meet a need for knowledge, explanation, comfort, humor, entertainment, inspiration, or any of the reasons a reader chooses to spend his time reading?
NOTE THE STRONG POINTS! Sometimes we get so caught up in what can be improved in a manuscript that we forget to notice what is good. Surely, you can find places as you read to jot "Good." "Nice description." "I like this." or "Makes me want to read more." At the least, write an encouraging general comment, if no more than "You are working hard on this. Keep it up."