Homework May 2012
HOMEWORK Part A
Laurie and Andy have submitted samples of their own writing for us to critique(see below). Read, make notes and you will have the opportunity at our June meeting to give your opinions, encouragement, and suggestions for improvement. IT IS IMPORTANT that you read the uploaded articles on Critiquing on the INSPIRATIONS page and use the following method:
Laurie and Andy have submitted samples of their own writing for us to critique(see below). Read, make notes and you will have the opportunity at our June meeting to give your opinions, encouragement, and suggestions for improvement. IT IS IMPORTANT that you read the uploaded articles on Critiquing on the INSPIRATIONS page and use the following method:
CRITIQUING TIPS
The Milford Method
Step 1 ─ What the story is about
Write/say a quick précis of the story ─ what the main plot is about in a sentence.
Step 2 ─ What you thought worked in the story ─ Positives
Comment about what makes the story work. You could mention a few points such as ─ the opening, the hooks that entice the reader to read on, the ending (Is the ending satisfying to the reader?), the story arc, the plot, dialogue, story structure, back-story, dialogue, sense of place/setting, Characters, use of metaphors/similes, sentence structure, pace, point of view, or the story’s clarity.
Step 3 ─ What you thought didn’t work in the story
Comment on a few points of the writer’s techniques. (See above)
You could also mention over writing/under writing/wordiness.
Remember Show don’t Tell.
Step 4 ─ What needs to happen next ─ Suggestions
Is the story ready to be sent out to competitions/publishers?
Give the writer a description of rewrites and fixes ─ a blueprint for the next step ─ a few practical suggestions of how they can improve their work.
Rules - In an oral critiquesession each person usually has a few minutes for each section of steps 1 to 4 to speak. OR The whole critique can be read out at once. (This may take up to 5 minutes)
Each person has a turn around a circle.
No one is allowed to interrupt except to say ditto or anti-ditto.
Ditto means you agree. Anti-ditto means you don’t agree.
- The purpose of critiquing a writer’s work is to help the writer improve his work and to move forward by providing constructive feedback.
- The reader responds to the story first as a reader. Did it work for you?
- Critique the story, not the author. Sometimes tact is needed for critiquing beginner writers so they will not feel overwhelmed by too many suggestions. Avoid emotive responses but instead give a clinical review. e.g. Don’t say ─ I didn’t like this character/or the story.
- Try not to be caught up with trivial issues but concentrate on the main problems of that story.
The Milford Method
Step 1 ─ What the story is about
Write/say a quick précis of the story ─ what the main plot is about in a sentence.
Step 2 ─ What you thought worked in the story ─ Positives
Comment about what makes the story work. You could mention a few points such as ─ the opening, the hooks that entice the reader to read on, the ending (Is the ending satisfying to the reader?), the story arc, the plot, dialogue, story structure, back-story, dialogue, sense of place/setting, Characters, use of metaphors/similes, sentence structure, pace, point of view, or the story’s clarity.
Step 3 ─ What you thought didn’t work in the story
Comment on a few points of the writer’s techniques. (See above)
You could also mention over writing/under writing/wordiness.
Remember Show don’t Tell.
Step 4 ─ What needs to happen next ─ Suggestions
Is the story ready to be sent out to competitions/publishers?
Give the writer a description of rewrites and fixes ─ a blueprint for the next step ─ a few practical suggestions of how they can improve their work.
Rules - In an oral critiquesession each person usually has a few minutes for each section of steps 1 to 4 to speak. OR The whole critique can be read out at once. (This may take up to 5 minutes)
Each person has a turn around a circle.
No one is allowed to interrupt except to say ditto or anti-ditto.
Ditto means you agree. Anti-ditto means you don’t agree.
**********************************
HOMEWORK Part B
If you would also like a writing task for the month, then write a piece that involves a MIRROR. Let your imagination run wild and see what you can come up with.
Remember: 12 pt, 1.5 spacing. As little as a paragraph and up to (approx.) 2 X A4 pages.
Email to vicktorious@bigpond.com before June 20 and it will appear on this site for group members to read.
If you would also like a writing task for the month, then write a piece that involves a MIRROR. Let your imagination run wild and see what you can come up with.
Remember: 12 pt, 1.5 spacing. As little as a paragraph and up to (approx.) 2 X A4 pages.
Email to vicktorious@bigpond.com before June 20 and it will appear on this site for group members to read.