Feedback and Commentary

[Valdar and Astralis]

Recommended Guidelines to Feedback, Comments and Criticism (CC)

(Adapted from http://www.raenestorm.org/phpBB4ns/viewtopic.php?p=44388)

Original by Lala & Stormhaven

Adapted by Valdar

15/12/2003

Introduction

As a community of writers, feedback is very important to us. Be it the gentle glow of 'nice work!' or a full on 'what were you thinking?!?!'. Equally, as a community of writers, feedback is a very sensitive issue. How hard is too hard? Ripping up work that someone lovingly laboured over for months on end isn't very encouraging, and Silence isn't much better. Therefore, I propose a guideline--guideline mind you to providing feedback. These guidelines are by no means set in stone, but I'm hoping they'll help in clarifying what sort of feedback someone wants.

 

C&C Rating system (v1.2)

 

Level 1: "Be Nice" (Default: Initiate)

Hey, look what I did!

The lowest level of feedback, and unless specificly requested otherwise, the feedback level for Initiates. Basically, this level is used if you're not sure on the poster's temperment, and is pretty much nothing more than a "What do you guys think?" request. Be encouraging, and offer any ideas that could be changed, but be positive.

 

Level 2: "Be Kind" (Default: Page+)

What do you think?

Offer some advice on what should be changed, but go 70% "what's right," and 30% "what could be better". Suggested use: For writers comfortably in their common element, unless otherwise specified.

 

 

Level 3: "I'm Learning"

How the heck do you do this?

This is the turning point level for feedback, where critique exeeds compliments by 60% to 40%. For those who are venturing into some unknown territories, such as from storytelling to poetry and wish to get more specific feedback, this is your level. For those giving the C&C, make sure you add details as in what you think needs to be changed, not just "it doesn't read right." Overlooked inconsistancies, grammatical and other technical errors should be included, if any.

 

 

Level 4: "Set my clothes on fire"

What do you think I should do?

You're comfortably in your element of writing, and you've been doing this for a while. After weeks on end on staring at your work, you gotta admit it--writer's block. Hey, happens to the best of us. If you're ready for some (occationaly) hard critique on what you should do, it's time for level 4. Level 4 entails a new level of detail from level 3. Instead of things like, "where's that Frodo guy come from?" you need, "The character, Frodo, does not appear to display much in the way of character development, and seems to jump out of no-where to take the lead. There seems to be a lot of story behind him, perhaps elaborate a little?"Look at character development, plot development, and tone. Specifying Level 4 also means that you want more critique than "It's great!" posts.

 

Level 5: "Hi, My name is Bubba, take off your pants."

How would you have done it?

This is where your work is 'done', subject to revisions. Recommended only when the final product's just about ready to be released. Level 5 is not mereley proofreading, however. This is the level where personal styles are most likeley to clash. Not all recomendations at level 5 need to be included, but generally, level 5 indicates a willingness to edit, re-write certain sections of your post, or at the very least, take into consideration for future works.

 

Level 5 should also include level 3 and 4, if necesarry.

Using the System in a Post

 

Generalities:

Unless otherwise stated, assume level 1 feedback for Initiates, and level 2 for everyone else. If you wish for higher levels, you need to mention it at the start of your post, or in the topic;

 

Example: Requested C&C Level: 4

 

 

"It hurts and stings!"

Post level 3 feedback can be. . .harsh. Dont take it personally, you DID ask for it. There's no shame in level 1-3 (which should be used in 90% of cases anyway). Level 4-5 are for the perfectionists. Also, as previously mentioned, you don't NEED to act on the feedback, it's just something to keep in mind, personal style aside (and we love personal styles)

 

Remember, at the end of the day, it's your work!

 

But Bubba makes me feel like a man...

Now, after all that, you may want to ask. . .why not just request a level 5 every time? After all, _real_ men aren't afraid of criticism!

The answer to that is, yes, why not indeed, BUT. Please remember that a level 5 feedback can take a while to construct, and not everyone can/will spare that time.

As a rule of the thumb, only request a level 4-5 if:

• You're very stuck
• You really want to change your work based on advice given.
• Your work is "done" and you need help with the finishing touches/proofreading

Sublevels

This is just a general outline of feedback, and I emphasize again, not set in stone. Don't feel too bad making up something like, level 2.5, or 4.5 if you want something more specific than level 2, but not quite level 3.