Useful pointers:
1) Writers bring along a DRAFT of their work – the assumption is that they are looking to improve it. So, your job is to offer constructive responses and suggestions to help them achieve this. Feedback is never a comment on their talent as writers. It is an opinion on the draft pages you have in front of you.
2) If you don’t know the context for the work, that’s fine. If it is part of a novel, the writer can provide perhaps one or two sentences of ‘big picture’ context at the top of the piece.
3) Part of your job, when giving feedback, is to let the writer know what you feel/understand/visualise by reading the piece. Also, what intrigues you? Where does your attention wane? This helps the writer understand whether or not they are succeeding in what they are trying to do.
Try commenting on the following:
· Does the scene move the story forward?
· Are descriptions interesting/do they give you enough information to ‘picture’ the scene? Are similes/metaphors helpful or are they too florid/distracting?
· What do you learn from the dialogue? Does it sound natural and does it sing along or is it slowing the pace?
· What do you learn about characters?
· Is the writing clear? Is there anything that could be cut?
· Do sentences have an easy rhythm and flow?
· What makes you want to read on beyond this scene, if anything? How does it make you feel?
Suggestions for writers who are receiving feedback:
• Only bring work that you are prepared to have freely discussed.
• Bring plenty of copies – others will give better feedback if they can see the work in front of them.
• Read your work out loud – you will hear things you don’t ‘see’ on the page.
• Don’t explain your piece first – let it speak for itself. You can always provide some context later.
• Listen carefully to everyone’s views – make notes.
• Don’t automatically apply every suggestion; suggestions are only helpful where they feel right to you.
Suggestions for writers who are giving feedback:
• Make notes on the copy you are given.
• If something is working well, let the writer know.
• Phrases such as ‘have you considered…?’ or ‘it might be strengthened further by….’ can be helpful.
• Mention presentation issues such as typos and punctuation where necessary but don’t focus on these issues above all else. Consider aspects such as structure, voice, language, mood, dialogue, characterisation, point of view, pace and narrative momentum.
• If something isn’t working in a piece but you’re not sure why, it is okay to say so.
• Respect the writer’s vision and ownership of their work – don’t seek to impose a solution.