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There are similarities and differences in critiquing on line and in person. In person, you still have to listen carefully as each person reads their story or shares with you their latest writing, but you have eye contact with them and you know them personally. In this kind of setting you are less likely to be unkind and impolite. Yet, just as likely, you will not thoroughly critique them since they are present.

It's different online, you still have to be kind and considerate and wait your turn, but you do not have the emotional baggage of knowing the author personally. This permits you to focus your effort on the story and how you see its potential for excellent. It also allows the flaws and its weaknesses to be focused upon. The mannerisms of the author is of no concern and all you know of him is what you can glean from the written article, poem, or whatever is being critiqued.

You assume the author is mature and is not thin-skinned and will not take any of the criticism as anything but an honest effort to help them improve their writing. As in a home writing group, there will be a host who sets the tone of the meeting and you should wait for her to acknowledge that you have some input. To jump in out of turn is rude and will not be tolerated. In this way there is less wasting of time and you can get into the job at hand, the reading and reviewing of another's work.

There are advantages to this type of critique especially when the author is having a particular problem with the writing. What they are hoping for is some kind of enlightenment that will help them decide where their problem lies. They do not need to feel obligated to make the changes that are suggested, but they are obligated to be respectful and to accept them as genuine gifts of thought. What they actually do with them, if anything, is up to them.

Each host will decide how the critique will go and in which order respondents will make suggestions. Whether it's a problem with grammar, with weak characterization, unbelievable dialog, or whatever, at first pinpoint the strengths of the writing and then show what is good and hopeful about the writing, before you begin your 'but it would be far more believable. . . advice.

Criticism is what learning is all about. Learning how to give it honestly and respectfully is important and so is learning how to accept it in the same manner.

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