When you critique someone's work

AlterEgox5 · Jan 9, 2010

A random thought I had.

How to you refer to yourself when putting notes (as in track changes) on a manuscript? I tend to use "we" along with the usual "I" -- as in "So what was the character thinking? Do we get to know?"

I guess it's because when I write that, I'm thinking of myself as well as potential readers. Sometimes I get the feeling it might seem kind of weird to the writer, but it just sounds right...

How about you?

lute · Jan 9, 2010

Strangely enough, I use the phrase "the reader," not "I" or "we". I mean, I guess I'm technically among 'the readers,' but... I think it disassociates myself from the critique, especially if it's negative, ahaha.

Huh. Interesting question. I never thought about it before.

OctoberLee · Jan 9, 2010

Yeah I tend to use "the reader" a lot. But when it leans more toward personal preference I say "I".

RevisionIsTheKey · Jan 9, 2010

lute said:
Strangely enough, I use the phrase "the reader," not "I" or "we". I mean, I guess I'm technically among 'the readers,' but... I think it disassociates myself from the critique, especially if it's negative, ahaha.

Huh. Interesting question. I never thought about it before.

And I thought I was so original. I do the same thing. It does soften what is being said and it takes away that "Here's how I would do it; move over and let me rewrite this for you" tone.

I much prefer critiquing in person because writing the comments always leaves that door open for misinterpretation or for the writer's reading the comments with a harsh tone that you did not intend.

san_remo_ave · Jan 9, 2010

I tend to write crits from my frame of reference so, unless it's a grammatical point, it's my opinion. It's my perspective as I read the piece and not what all readers might think or wonder about at the same point. I also make sure to clarify before critting that it's only my opinion and an author should always feel free to disregard anything that they don't agree with.

Using the OP's example, I'd probably say "So what is the character thinking here? I'd like to see some of their emotions/reactions".

AnnieColleen · Jan 9, 2010

I'd be ok with "we" in that context (referring to readers in general), though I probably wouldn't use it. Now if you said "we didn't understand this", I might be worried.

kuwisdelu · Jan 9, 2010

I use "I," "we," and "the reader" depending on what I think is most appropriate for the particular comment I'm writing.

AlishaS · Jan 10, 2010

I jump back from "we" and "the reader" and of course "I" I think it depends on who I am working with.

Polenth · Jan 10, 2010

I usually use 'I', because it's my opinion. Unless it's a comment that applies to everyone in my group (e.g. "A UKer wouldn't call it a sidewalk. We call them pavements.")

Reading a critique, I doubt I'd notice which you used. I'm not looking to critique your critique. If you want to write it in first person plural or third person, I'm not going to complain.

Lady Ice · Jan 10, 2010

I'd use 'we', sometimes even 'us', lol, as if I'm the leader of some almighty-group.

Linda Adams · Jan 10, 2010

I'll use "I" if I'm referring to myself, and "the reader" if I'm referring to the reader. I generally refer to myself if it's just something I am reacting to, and the reader if it's something everyone is likely to have trouble with.

defcon6000 · Jan 10, 2010

Huh. I've always used "I" because, yeah, it's me talking to the author.

Saying "the reader" although sounding much more professional, is also making the comment too general, as if everyone reading it would say the same thing. Maybe everyone would and maybe everyone won't. That's why you get multiple critiques to compare and contrast.

Lady Ice · Jan 10, 2010

Indeed but if you say 'the reader', it's normally a technical query. It also makes people listen more than 'I think this...', unless the 'I' is really informed.

ChaosTitan · Jan 10, 2010

I say "I" and "me" because in the context of the crit, I am the reader.

Moonfish · Jan 10, 2010

I use "I", in comments like "I personally don't like parenthesis" and "the reader" in cases like "the reader might not identify well with this".

AlterEgox5 · Jan 10, 2010

Haha. Nice to know I'm not the only one with multiple people involved with "we." I do also use "the reader" from time to time or "readers" though that's usually when I end up with "we" because in my brain I think, "Well...I'm a reader too."

Even though in the end, I'm actually the only one reading the ms overall.

Namatu · Jan 10, 2010

ChaosTitan said:
I say "I" and "me" because in the context of the crit, I am the reader.

What she said.

Libbie · Jan 10, 2010

AlterEgox5 said:
I guess it's because when I write that, I'm thinking of myself as well as potential readers. Sometimes I get the feeling it might seem kind of weird to the writer, but it just sounds right...

How about you?

That's exactly what I do, for exactly the same reason.

Maryn · Jan 10, 2010

I use I and the reader. My own observations get I (brilliant, huh?) and general observations get the reader.

The reader is led to believe Stone is dead. I figured he was, even though I saw him as the obvious character to save the day at the ending. Is this misdirection intended? If his fate is fully ambiguous, the reader won't feel cheated when he does indeed arrive on his white steed. As it's written now, I felt duped.

Maryn, who doesn't like the royal 'we'

kuwisdelu · Jan 10, 2010

I write something like:

Is Rock dead? I can't tell. The way you wrote it, it's ambiguous and unless you want the reader to be unsure, I'd change it. Or is this something we get to find out in the next chapter?

Adam · Jan 10, 2010

ChaosTitan said:
I say "I" and "me" because in the context of the crit, I am the reader.

Wot the lady in the purty hat said.

When you critique someone's work

AlterEgox5

Expert Procrastinator

lute

OctoberLee

Destroying something beautiful

RevisionIsTheKey

Sigh...

san_remo_ave

Back at it

AnnieColleen

Invisible Writer

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

AlishaS

Is swimming with creativity frogs

Polenth

Mushroom

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions

Linda Adams

Soldier, Storyteller

defcon6000

Lady Ice

Makes useful distinctions

ChaosTitan

Around

Moonfish

AlterEgox5

Expert Procrastinator

Namatu

Lost in mental space.

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Maryn

I Tried

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

Adam

Not dead.