So, what are we going for this time? Humor? That’s was great, but we need to find other things just as great. Another writer’s workshop? Mmmm…That was incredibly helpful, but I want something else…How about we start with this: how to give helpful feedback. I think all of us could use a refresher course in this area. While it may seem boring or redundant to some, I think your friends will truly appreciate it.
21. http://resourcesforwriters.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_give_feedback_to_writers
This site is a good brush-up on the basics and follows an ingenious theory: “the key to a great critique is finding the balance between positive and critical feedback.”
22. Here’s another:
http://www.med.wright.edu/aa/facdev/_Files/PDFfiles/MakingFeedbackHelpful.pdf
This is really an article addressing behavioral feedback, but it translates fairly well to any field. The writers of this piece quite windy, being MD’s and all, so I’ll help by offering you a summary applicable to writing:
1. Helpful feedback is descriptive (describes your opinion), not evaluative (labels your opinion as absolute). For example: you should say “I don’t agree with this,” versus, “this is wrong.” The first example will help to avoid defensiveness in the writer.
2. Helpful feedback is specific. Say, “Your vocabulary is amazing! The word mystical fits so well into the paragraph describing the waterfall,” versus, “your vocabulary is amazing.” On the other hand say, “I believe you meant it’s instead of it’s in the third paragraph, second sentence,” versus, “I think you need to brush up on your grammar.”
3. Honest and sincere. No sugar coating, no buffering. In other words, don’t say, “Oh, this is so wonderful! I loved every minute of it!” when you were actually ready to gag through the whole thing. Then again, don’t be cruel either; find your happy medium here. Tell them what they do well and what they could improve. Along the same line, don’t use sentences to ‘soften up’ the writer, such as, “I love this, however…” No one ever believes that you like it after hearing however…
4. Express your feedback in terms that are important to the writer. If you are reading poetry, don’t be a stickler for capital letters and punctuation. As long as the writer’s style is consistent throughout the poem, then it is usually ok. Likewise, specific types of short stories have formats that you may not be aware of. Don’t give advice on something you don’t know about. Now, I don’t mean not to give any feedback at all. You should express the impact the piece made on you at a personal level; but don’t judge them on a professional level.
5. Timely. Give the feedback directly after reading the piece-it will help you to remember the details.
6. Desired by the receiver. Don’t give it unless it is asked for. This doesn’t mean you have to specifically ask, obviously if it is ‘posted for feedback’ then they want it.
7. Usable. This pretty much sums up all of the above. I cannot get better if you simply state that I suck.
Okay, I think that covers a little more than the basics. Now, let’s get onto something more fun!
23. This guy’s right-I don’t want a totally clean-cut man, but these ‘staches are ridiculous!
http://www.listlovers.com/2009/02/25/unique-funny-weird-beards-moustaches/
24. A bank robber drops his ID in the bank lobby; a burglar gets stuck in the bathroom (or cornered by a cat)-Who doesn’t love hearing about stupid criminals? It never gets boring, does it? Here’s a whole site devoted to funny and weird news stories:
http://www.funnyweirdnews.com/
25. How about a complete mix of all things unique, weird, funny, and otherwise amazing? This link contains strange facts, funny stuff, and cool links.
http://www.squidoo.com/wierd_things
I would have had this blog up days ago…but it seems my new high-speed hookup isn’t any faster than the old dial up…hmmm….
