Ever ask a friend’s, relative’s or colleague’s opinion on something you’ve written? You wait patiently, trying not to stare, interpreting each facial expression as a sign or clue. Finally a reply, “I like it,” or “It’s good,” is uttered with no additional words following. You think to yourself, That’s it? That doesn’t help me.
Perhaps on occasion you have been the person responding above not knowing what to say. You didn’t feel confident offering your thoughts. You’re not an expert or a published author. You still have trouble calling yourself a writer.
Well, “It’s good,” doesn’t say anything. To a writer the phrase is too vague, too meaningless. He or she is seeking feedback more specific.
Whether asking for feedback or offering feedback, here are three steps to help readers share responses to a draft.
Before you start to read, let go of the pressure to catch every error or mistake. There is a difference between editing/proofreading and reader responses. Don’t be afraid. You are qualified to respond. You are an experienced reader, and writers need to know how their message is being received or interpreted. You are qualified to offer your reaction and thoughts to something you read.
Next, keep it simple. Keep it nice, and remember three things by ReadWriteThink.org:
PQP: Praise-Question-Polish.
Step 1: PRAISE. Always find something positive to say about the piece you have been asked to read. Perhaps you like a particular phrase or word choice that lingers in your mind after reading, or you like how the writer describes a scene which easily forms in your mind’s eye. Always find something big or small to praise within the work.
Step 2: QUESTION. As you read make notes of any questions that enter your mind. Maybe you wonder why the author doesn’t mention something you would expect to be included on the topic, or where the baby was in the scene when the mother went to the store. Any questions while reading can offer insight the author may need to improve or revise the current draft or work.
Step 3: POLISH. Finally, offer specific ways you think the writer could polish the piece. These comments cannot be too vague. When you offer an idea to polish, the writer cannot be wondering what you mean. He or she needs a starting point or direction to act on your comment. Read-Write-Think suggests three types of comments: vague, general/useful, and specific. Below are examples of each:
Vague: “Revise the second paragraph.” or “It’s good.”
Useful/general: “
I don’t see enough background information or support for your idea.” or “Can you describe the kitchen scene better?”
Specific: “I like how you give the points to remember, but can you add an example to help readers better understand what you mean?” or “The title doesn’t seem to convey the topic.”
If grammar and mechanics are your strengths, by all means offer comments and corrections. If you think something doesn’t look right, but you are not sure, you may suggest the writer double check a concern. The main thing about “Polish” is to give the writer a starting point or direction to consider changes.
Writers know what they intend to say in the message, but the receiver of the message does not always hear it as intended. If you are asked to offer quick feedback on a draft, just remember PQP. You can always find something positive to say, did you have any questions, and offer a specific comment the writer may consider to polish the piece.
You don’t have to be an expert or published author to provide helpful feedback to a writer. And as a writer, what you do with the feedback is entirely up to you. Some suggestions will spur new ideas, and some will lead to a dead end and remain left behind. Nonetheless, diverse readers, diverse backgrounds, and diverse worldviews will encourage your message to be received differently. Stay focused on your message and meaning, use feedback to clarify and polish, then send your message out trusting the Holy Spirit to handle the rest.
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4 Comments
I know just what you mean. Cyle. When I was writing Storms of Life, I had a team of 4 ladies who critiqued my writing. Cindy never said anything but, “Excellent!”. No help at all. Thankfully the other 3 were very detailed reviewers.
It took me a while to stop taking critiquing personally. I hesitated to critique someone else’s work. After being in Word Weavers for a while, I realized my writing was so much better because of everyone’s input.
Thanks for the comment Sherry. I think many people can identify with the points you mention: vague comments, being hesitant to critique others, and not taking reader responses personally. My hope for this post is to shift paradigms just enough to reduce the anxiety and stress of offering and accepting feedback. For those less confident and new to critiquing, these three steps are easy to remember and can lead to useful feedback each time.
BTW, thank you Sherry for sharing so much of yourself in Storms of Life. B Bush
Thanks for the comment Sherry. I think many people can identify with the points you mention: vague comments, being hesitant to critique others, and not taking reader responses personally. My hope for this post is to shift paradigms just enough to reduce the anxiety and stress of offering and accepting feedback. For those less confident and new to critiquing, these three steps are easy to remember and can lead to useful feedback each time.
BTW, thank you Sherry for sharing so much of yourself in Storms of Life. B Bush
Bobbi,
I truly enjoyed this post. Very well written (of course) and very helpful points on giving feedback. You can’t grow as a writer unless someone takes the time to be specific. And the more specific, usually the better. Great advice!
Just recently I did a blog post on how to RECEIVE the feedback that fits nicely with your topic here on how to give it. http://hrhookwriter.blogspot.com/2015/09/dont-fear-feedback.html