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Your take on Critiques and Proofreading

Posted on March 17, 2012 at 4:10 AM

One day late, but as they say, better late than never.

 

For the last few months I've been studying proofreading and copy editing. Okay, they are very much the same, but they are also different in some things. I'm really enjoying the course, and hope to add this to my job description when I'm done.

 

Now, as I read through part of the copy editing module, there was a comment about how to query something that you feel is wrong. The example used was making the author out to be almost stupid. And basically the comment was about one word which had been incorrectly spelt for the market it was intended for. The ciourse author pointed out that you need diplomacy when making queries or comments.

 

I've had comments that my critiques are very nice. I like to tell the author/writer what I think without making them think they are stupid, or that their story or book is rubbish. I just feel that saying something negative in a positive, kind way is a lot more helpful than making the author fell like they've failed.

 

So, I got to thinking, in this business we call writing, there is plenty of opportunity to critique other peoples work. Sometimes we will proofread something. So with this in mind, how do you make comments when you critique or proofread, or whatever it is you're doing? Do you lay it on thick and tell everyone what you think? Or, do you use diplomacy and point out the fault in a diplomatic, helpful manner?

 

 

Categories: Friday Focus, Writing

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8 Comments

Reply Cat
01:02 PM on March 17, 2012 
I always, always, always write comments NICELY! I have a voice instructor who tends to sandwich his negative comments in between two positive ones (i.e., "You know, you have really good tone. I think you could work on pitch, because sometimes your notes get a little pitchy, but yeah. Really pretty voice.") and I try to emulate that example. It's easier to swallow criticism if you get some "WELL DONE!!" in front of and behind the "BUT..."

I'm curious, what kind of class are you taking for proofreading and copy editing? I'm seriously interested in that!
Reply inluvwithwords
01:35 PM on March 17, 2012 
I always remember that rule from childhood: If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all. Well, in critiquing, I know the point is to learn from our mistakes, so negatives must be addressed and not ignored. But I always try to do it with kindness. We writers are a sensitive bunch and I'm very aware of how easy it would be to hurt someone with a harsh critique.
Reply Terrie Hope
02:15 PM on March 17, 2012 
Cat says...
I always, always, always write comments NICELY! I have a voice instructor who tends to sandwich his negative comments in between two positive ones (i.e., "You know, you have really good tone. I think you could work on pitch, because sometimes your notes get a little pitchy, but yeah. Really pretty voice.") and I try to emulate that example. It's easier to swallow criticism if you get some "WELL DONE!!" in front of and behind the "BUT..."

I'm curious, what kind of class are you taking for proofreading and copy editing? I'm seriously interested in that!


Hi Cat, thanks for your comment. I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking comments should be nice. Even neative comments can be said in a positive way.

Re the proofreading and copy editing course, I'm doing it through a college here I'm sure you can do a course there. I'm hoping that it will be twofold. Help me with my writing and bring in some extra money, something we all need these days.
Reply Terrie Hope
02:17 PM on March 17, 2012 
inluvwithwords says...
I always remember that rule from childhood: If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all. Well, in critiquing, I know the point is to learn from our mistakes, so negatives must be addressed and not ignored. But I always try to do it with kindness. We writers are a sensitive bunch and I'm very aware of how easy it would be to hurt someone with a harsh critique.


Thanks for your thoughts. I agree with you too. There is a positive way to say things. I just think the more harsh you are the more discouraged a writer can be.
Reply kellyhashway
07:10 AM on March 19, 2012 
My critiques and edits (I work as a freelance editor) contain a lot of red and a lot of comments. I comment on things that work and things that don't. I never put a writer down, but I let them know if something needs to be addressed. I also like to give suggestions for how to fix problems. It's easier to take a critique if it comes with suggestions rather than just problems.
Reply Terrie Hope
12:41 PM on March 19, 2012 
kellyhashway says...
My critiques and edits (I work as a freelance editor) contain a lot of red and a lot of comments. I comment on things that work and things that don't. I never put a writer down, but I let them know if something needs to be addressed. I also like to give suggestions for how to fix problems. It's easier to take a critique if it comes with suggestions rather than just problems.


Thanks Kelly. I agree with your comments. Suggestions always help to soften the blow.
Reply ctnyrene
11:56 AM on March 20, 2012 
I want comments from editors that are helpful. I dont need the flowery words but I dont want the harsh mean words that are not helpful at all. If you can do that Terrie, then you will be an awesome editor in my book. Good luck to you. I can't think any course would be as helpful as the one you are taking.

ctny
Reply Terrie Hope
11:56 AM on March 21, 2012 
ctnyrene says...
I want comments from editors that are helpful. I dont need the flowery words but I dont want the harsh mean words that are not helpful at all. If you can do that Terrie, then you will be an awesome editor in my book. Good luck to you. I can't think any course would be as helpful as the one you are taking.

ctny


Thanks ctny. That is exactly what I'm aiming for. Like you, I don't want the flowery, but I also don't want the mean. I hope to do a good job. Not long now to graduation, then time will tell.

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