User:Leopardclawxx/How to give a Critique

Here, I have compiled a step by step guide on writing a critique like I do. It seems like a lot, but I think I've covered about everything here.

Step one: Read the story
Well, how can you expect to critique without a story? Get familiar with the story, read it through, think Do I like it? and keep an eye out for plot inconsistancies, spelling and grammar mistakes, things you like, things you don't and other things.

Step two: Prepare
I like to have three tabs open to write a critique - the story, the Critiques page and an archived one to reference from. And I guess if you're using this, you'll want a tab for this too. In my head, I like to think about what I'm going to put for each section, and what I'm going to suggest to make it better.

Step three: Write it!
This is the most important part (duh!). When giving a critique, structure is very important. I usually have three to four paragraphs in mine. Have a starting sentence, saying the overall rating, and praise, or, in rare circumstances, pleasantly harsh criticisms. Then take a paragraph for the first thing you want to write about, selecting one of the following points: the plot, the characters, the content, spelling and grammar and imagery. Make sure for every paragraph you rate the thing you are talking about.

I usually start with characters, or plot. I often find they take up one paragraph each. For these, start with your rating, then go on to speak about things like how you found that you liked the way some characters developed, or the way the plot flowed and had surprising twists. Write about what you liked, and what you feel could be improved. Do not be afraid to be honest. And honest critique, I'd find, is 100 times better for you than a fluffy one of lies. The only way to improve is to get criticism.

After Plot and characters, I like to do spelling and grammar. I think it's fairly straightforward what to put for this, mention that you found some, lots, no spelling errors, and that the grammar was next to perfect, improveable, awful (but don't actually say that). An explanation of how to improve say setting out paragraphs can be helpful here.

Then I often group Imagery and Content together. For Imagery, talk about how you liked the use of metaphors and similies, or how you could really picture the cats. For Content, say how you thought the plot was rich and full, and there was enough going on to keep you interested. Of course there could be quite the opposite, the plot could be too watery, or too full. Make sure you are constantly giving ideas for improvement.

Then to finish off, put a final sentence about how you love it, or found it good, and sign. That's all there is to it.

Fin!
And that really is it. Now, because I feel lovely, I am going to write a short piece below, and you can give practice critiques on the talk. Remember, give it a go!

Test Piece
Leopardclaw walked into the camp. "hello Cloudtail" she said. "hello leopardclw" she replied. "oh are you eating prey"

"yes I am do you want soem?" Leopardclaw had a full belly and then they went to go hunt some more. Webstar stopped them and said "hiw are you two are you going hunting?" leopardclaw smiled and said "yes we are. do you want to come?" inndubitally, websatr said yes.

They wenat back to camp and went to sleep. leopardclaw dreamed she was flying.