Questions to help with critiquing!

[The Enchanted Muggle]

Hello lovely people. So I have seen that many of you were wondering /what/ specifically to look for whilst critiquing...and I had received a wonderful list of questions from my writing professor last semester that I would love to share with you all. So here goes.

CRITIQUING SOMEONE’S WRITING

• What’s working well in the story?
• Which elements of the character’s personality seem especially vivid or unique?
• Which parts of the story intrigued you or made you care about what would happen?
• In which parts of the story is the setting easy to imagine? Are there places where you want more?
• Is the point of view consistent? Is this an effective point of view for this particular story? Why or why not?
• Does the story begin where the writer begins it?
• What’s at stake in the story? Are there ways to heighten what’s at stake? (i.e. ways to make this the most “story-worthy “ moment it can be)
• Have the character’s choices been convincing?
• Could the writer develop the character more fully? If so, where and how?
• Is the dialogue convincing? Are there places where there could be more or less?
• Does the story take place largely in scenes, rather than summary? Could the writer create more scenes?
• Do you know enough about the character and the character’s history to understand and care about what happens?
• Does enough happen in the story? Based on what’s already here, can you suggest ways to develop the plot?
• Were there any places where you were confused? How could the writer make it less confusing?
• Is the story too long or too short for what it’s trying to do?
• Are there places where there could be more sensory details?
• Does it seem like the story can offer insight in some subtle way about humans or human emotions?
• How about the prose itself – could it be clearer or leaner? Make specific notes.

PLUS, GRAMMAR IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE IN YOUR CRITIQUES.

Muchas gracias. Have fun!

[LumpyKoala]

I think this would actually be a great resource to use while critiquing.

It concentrates on a lot of important elements that many people who critique on this site don't dive into in, whether it be because of time constraints or less knowledge on the subject of critiquing itself and what they should be looking for when they are giving crit.
Thanks for the guide! :approve:

[maryhoneybee]

I have a fear of critiquing (and being critiqued, haha) but you've brought up good points to consider that make it less intimidating to delve into. Makes me feel like I'll actually know what I'm doing. :P Thanks! :)

[Modioh]

I wuv this, thank you so much.
I know the idea to critique is terrifying, especially if you're a newbie, and your grammar sucks * pointing at me with a huge red flag"