Just Waiting for Your Criticism

1. 60

   SpanStarposted 12 years ago

   Please Join Us so We Can Criticize You!
   
   Can someone tell me what is this insatiable desire to criticize people??
   It seems like there is almost no website you can go to where people are not
   salivating over the idea of criticizing you even when your submissions are free
   to the website.
   
   What is it about us that make us belief we are so perfect that it is only naturalwe should criticize you?
   
   I have joined in the past several writing websites and each and every time
   what others might consider constructive criticism I find it to be petty,
   useless as they often focuses on nothing more than an interpretation of a passage or sentence.
   
   I have seen time and time again where the criticism doesn't result in him proving once writing but rather more often than not it is a catalyst towards preventing one to want to write.
   
   I believe if people are so bent on criticizing others then I suggest they criticize their criticism.

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   1. 62

      Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Critique, not necessarily criticism. If you're a very confident writer perhaps you don't need it, or perhaps you do. Lot's of writers, myself included, like feedback and search for places where people will be brutal, because readers are.

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      1. 60

         SpanStarposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         The problem I've faced is one doesn't have a chose about the you call it critique but I still find it to be criticism and usually anyone that joined the website is entitle to tell you what they think which is to say everyone doesn't know how to critique/cristcise and so someone will just you based of if they like your story not how it was written.

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2. 0

   Website Examinerposted 12 years ago

   I have a private network where we offer free critiques and editorial support. The way it works is that the member must request it by using specific tags. Other than that, people can post simply for general feedback. I work professionally as an editor and critic, and find your comments curious but interesting. In the network, I will sometimes clean up posts as a moderator prior to even approving them.

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      SpanStarposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I like the idea you present about asking for feedback for someone that's been writing for a while I think they would feel better not having to be treated like they've just started writing.

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         Website Examinerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Agreed. Thanks.

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      2. 76

         snigdha.sposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         A  Writer's view varies from a Reader's. A reader judges the information provided by the author by its relevance while the writer is more often evaluating the author's writing skills.

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            Website Examinerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Good point.

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            SpanStarposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Your statement are based I take it on the idea that the evaluators are mature, not bias, aren't looking to be the only shining star, etc?

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            1. 76

               snigdha.sposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Well some are mature but some are biased. Suppose I wrote an article on some herbs. A reader will try to get important information but a writer will be quick to point out any mistakes I made. It may or may not be deliberate but it happens. It is more often critical reading, sometimes they may be trying to figure out what the author is trying to accomplish through this piece of information.They are more judgmental to say in short.

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                  Website Examinerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Simply more observant, I'd say. Pointing out shortcomings is not being judgmental.

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                     snigdha.sposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     You are absolutely right on that, but do you deny that a writer is more critical.

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                        Website Examinerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        Writers tend to be more critical, so I also said above that you had made a good point. They tend to notice things, whether they deliberately are looking for shortcomings or not.
                        
                        With respect to fiction, which is where my experience lies, readers also tend to be critical but in a more indirect way. They may not say anything or even notice exactly what bothers them. But if the writing is not polished, they may simply stop reading and go elsewhere. And that is why critique becomes such a big deal for writers prior to publication.
                        
                        In non-fiction and informative articles, I think readers tend to look for the information without being so picky about the technical quality; at least online where the information is free.

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                           snigdha.sposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           Your analysis is correct. I was also referring to articles.

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                              Website Examinerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                              Thank you. That was also my understanding of what you meant.

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3. 93

   vespawoolfposted 12 years ago

   Criticism is necessary for improvement, but it's all about the delivery. You can throw a ball with so much force that it knocks the receiver over or you can toss it gently so that he can catch it. If we criticize too harshly it can keep the receiver from accepting our viewpoint. Still, even gentle criticism may be taken too personally. Some of us just have a hard time accepting it. :  )

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