How Do You Critique In Fiction Writing Workshops?
• Pay attention. Whether your fellow workshopper is discussing their struggles in writing or actually reading their piece aloud, there is no way you can give thoughtful, helpful critique if you don’t know what you’re talking about. Often, the person seeking criticism will mention one or two key points they’d especially like to focus on in terms of critique; whether it’s the dialogue or characterization, having a specific goal in mind gives you a clearer idea of where you can help. • Read the material. Same goes for this as for the first step- you can’t talk about something you’ve never read. Read slowly and carefully- taking notes can also be a helpful way to remember specifics about what you’ve read, especially if more than one piece is being workshopped on the same day. • Think about the material. Consider specific aspects of writing, such as point of view or tone, as well as the impression of the piece as a whole. • Prepare several observations about the piece. More often than not,
