The Grammar Vault / Reference

Constructive Criticism

A lavender pencil and lime note point to a line on one of two manuscript pages.

Constructive criticism is feedback that helps someone improve their work. For a draft, it identifies a specific place, explains how it affected the reader, and offers a possible next step. That gives the writer information they can use in revision.

Turn a general reaction into feedback

The opening is confusing reports a reaction. A more specific version gives the writer somewhere to start. I got to the second paragraph before I found out why the event moved. Try mentioning the rain in the opening sentence so readers know why the location changed.

Keep the feedback focused

Start with issues that affect the reader’s understanding. Comment on where the explanation loses clarity before marking small punctuation choices. When something works, name the passage and explain why so the writer can keep it. Use a respectful tone and give the writer room to choose their own solution.

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