Selorian

As writers, we all have our own unique style of writing. And if, by chance, we haven’t found our own style yet, it is certainly something that we hope to discover eventually. It is our style of telling a story that makes us different than any other writer out there.

With this in mind, it is sometimes too easy for one to comment on style issues rather than actual issues when a writer critiques or comments on other writer’s works. It’s the nature of the beast. As writers, we look at other writer’s works and we automatically think about how we would write it. This, in itself, isn’t a bad thing, but when it becomes an issue of pointing out changes to make where there is nothing wrong simply because it isn’t how we would write it, it becomes detrimental.

The next time you critique or comment on a piece of work, think about what you’re saying. Are the changes you suggest actually necessary? Is what the author wrote wrong? Or is it that it's different than how you would write it? It never hurts to offer a suggestion of how you yourself would handle a particular situation, but make sure that you let the author know that is what it is. If the author is just beginning, they may think that what they wrote is incorrect when, actually, it’s just them finding their own unique voice and style.

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Ilan Bouchard

Both in contrast and in compliment to what you wrote, Selorian, pointing out one's writing style can also help point out areas in which it comes on too strong or too softly. Becoming aware of how others perceive a writing style can help it become more subtle and well-rounded. The trick, of course, is not to come on too strongly or softly in one's own critiques, which take on a writing style of their own.

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Selorian

Very good point.

I've found myself commenting about things that work either way, and I was letting my own style of writing get in the way of pointing out actual problems. I see it a lot here from others as well. While pointing out stylistic things can be helpful, it should be taken into consideration that they are exactly what sets writers apart. For that reason, it should be handled in better ways than what some people handle them.

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aspiring

I totally agree, and it's why I will never post any of my work on here. Very often I find that people offer critiques which are simply criticisms of the way someone else writes. It can help to point out that the writer uses rather obscure phrasing - but to say that it is 'wrong' is pointless. Some people just like to criticise in order to show how much they know - rather than treating each piece of work as valuable to the author.

I work freelance for a consultancy and often critique people's stories. I try to confine myself to offering advice on clarifying work and strengthening the plot/characterisation. It is important for each writer to have a 'voice' with which they are comfortable. I cannot write like Philip Pullman, much though I admire his work, but I am comfortable enough now in my own style.

Kamisama

The most important part about analyzing and criticizing a work is not exactly the style but how it was interpreted. If I read something that is grammatically correct, but I don't understand what its saying, then I'll criticize it for not being defined enough.

The words don't sting and the thoughts trail off like a child with ADD. After a while, I begin the become the ADD child and walk away from the writing.

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Syren

Very good points, all around... I think this is particularly sound advice when looking at poetry, as there are numerous styles and method sets that are adopted, often by the same writer.

Personally, I think it may be a good idea for people to list their areas of concern when offering a critique... by which I mean:

What do you look for when formulating opinions on writing?

With the OP's permission, of course, could we offer such a list here? Is there one already afloat? I'd be suprised if there wasn't.

I think it is paramount that we as writers deliver our stories/poems in our own voices. Now, that does not mean we can not grow and adjust our pitch and tone... crits I've received have helped my work immensely... but I think too much emulation or technical perfection can detract from the work if you're not cautious.

I agree with Kamisama, interpretation is key... two people can look at the same words and see it in exact opposition. Writing for a demographic is a prime example of such.

And I'll always feel that content is king... you could be technically perfect and the work might be stellar in terms of diction, phrasing, etc... but if the content is unappealing, there's nothing for it.

My two bits,

//Sy

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Selorian

Syren, there is the Reviewer's Handbook in the Writing 101 forum. It gives some advice on how to approach a critique. As for the list you mentioned, I don't know of one anywhere. Feel free to post it in here.

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Syren

ahhh... I hadn't thought about that list, prolly best to leave it at that then, hehe.
(We don't want to admit we're going off the reservation )

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bob rulz

I agree, good advice all around. I agree with both selorian and kamisama fully. This is something I'm always aware of the few times I actually critique a work. I try not to let the stylistic differences between our writing to get in the way of my crituiqing.