Reviewing Tutorial
A while ago, I responded to a rant with a comment that I wanted to perhaps some day write a not-rant about how to review properly. I did get some positive feedback on the concept and I decided to post this tutorial today, since I spent a lot of today talking about the same and its now fresh in my head. I realize it's not Kingdom Heartsey per-se, but hopefully it'll be helpful.
If you're wondering where I get off preaching why I might decide I have some kind of authority on the subject, the answer is that it's literally part of my job. I happen to be a TA and an RA in an English Literature program. As such, I do have experience dealing with the ups and downs of telling people how to improve their subjective, written work...not to mention being in a position where the amount of senority I have on my students isn't a lot (I'm only just turned 23 (As of yesterday, no less), and most of my students fall into the 20-22 age group)...so I often have to quell that rumour that I'm just that wicked witch who passes judgement from her Ivory Tower.
Therefore, I thought I might point out a few things and coping tricks I've learned that might be useful when trying to tell Ms Mary Sue her fic is terrible...with minimal backlash.
With that said, here's a short piece on:
Writing a good review begins with a three-step checklist. This is the easy part:
1. Tell the person what was strong in their piece.
2. Tell them what needs work.
3. Tell them how to improve on thier shortcomings.
Number 1 should be self-evident. This is the easiest one, I promise. Even if it's just the fact that they had the balls to post in the first place or that the only reason you clicked on the link was a promise of your favorite pairing. Maybe they got in-game details correct, such as timeline or a mention of the Ansem reports. We can all probably pick out something in even the most shoddy work; even Sporkings/MSTings will use these merits as a gag (shock that the author thought to include this fact in their story when everything else is clearly OOC or shot to hell).
What is REALLY important to remember is that Rule 1 is NOT a buffer or a cushion for the blow that is rule 2. As tempting as it is to believe that now you've told them they've done something right, it's okay to rip them to shreds. Negative language will not make anyone learn faster or better. No, it's NOT being soft. NO, not everyone who reads this will take it to heart - some folks will be content to risk the backlash by being blunt. That said, if you foster an approachable environment around yourself then your advice is more apt to be taken. THAT said, this will not necessarily save you from being despised either.
Finally, rules 1 and 2 are nothing without Rule 3. Whenever you make any suggestion, good or bad you MUST justify it. Explain. Yeah, default setting will be to accuse you of being zomg UNFAAIIIIR. Show them why you're not.
This isn't rocket science. You probably knew this. But - there's a bunch of tips and explanations and trivia that goes with this.
1. This first one goes out to EVERYONE. Grow some thicker skin. YOU WILL NOT BE LIKED ALL THE TIME. Whether you are a reader or a writer. If you write something, no matter how good there WILL BE SOMEONE WHO DISLIKES IT. If you review something honestly, you may incur wrath in spite of politeness. Don't like it. You're allowed to be mad. But realize that you're posting an opinion and any opinion will get someone upset.
2. Remember that you, dear reviewer are good. You don't remember what it was like to suck. There's a REASON you can review and be authoritative about the subject matter. You don't remember what it was like to be confused and unsure and worried your writing might not be great if it doesn't get 100 reviews. Those fantastic authors? They don't need your help. They know what to do. You know what to do. Help those who don't.
3. Remember that often, the biggest problem a writer may have with you isn't with your review at all. The most common age of the average fanfiction writer is somewhere in their teenage years. A massive part of the transition from High School to University lies in the transition from childhood to adult. Whenever a student runs at you with a "You weren't fair marking my paper" complaint (Sound familiar? *cough*Myfanfictionisn'tbad*cough*), their problem is, whether they confess outright or just don't realize: they're still dwelling on the supposed consequence which up to now has been an important and terrifying part of their existence. Namely: "Holy shit when mum and dad find out about this, I'm SO boned.". In the lecture hall when I get this, I look at my students and ask them if they really still tell mummy and daddy about their grades.
And suddenly, they realize that hey. They don't have to! They're adults now! The grade and the work and the opinion that their work wasn't 100% fantastic A++++ Material is between them and myself. The same now goes for you writers. Nobody else needs to know or care that someone thought your work was great. Your life is not over and you'll never get a career if someone doesn't like your fanfiction. You will not get grounded if that person over there thinks it's brilliant but that other person over there wants to spork it.
4a. Remember that you are reviewing a piece of work, not a person. If your sole purpose for writing the review is to bring down the author, don't write it. Clearly you have a problem with them, not with their work.
4b. Remember that that person who wrote that review? Yeah, their whole life's purpose is not dedicated to making you the writer miserable. They've probably already forgotten about it. I suggest trying to do the same.
5. A review is advice and an opinion. So is this little outline, really.
Hopefully that helped someone. I'm still learning myself, but I can make some parallels between what happens to me and what I see people upset about within a fanfiction context.
Please comment, please offer your own advice.
If you're wondering where I get off preaching why I might decide I have some kind of authority on the subject, the answer is that it's literally part of my job. I happen to be a TA and an RA in an English Literature program. As such, I do have experience dealing with the ups and downs of telling people how to improve their subjective, written work...not to mention being in a position where the amount of senority I have on my students isn't a lot (I'm only just turned 23 (As of yesterday, no less), and most of my students fall into the 20-22 age group)...so I often have to quell that rumour that I'm just that wicked witch who passes judgement from her Ivory Tower.
Therefore, I thought I might point out a few things and coping tricks I've learned that might be useful when trying to tell Ms Mary Sue her fic is terrible...with minimal backlash.
With that said, here's a short piece on:
Writing a good review begins with a three-step checklist. This is the easy part:
1. Tell the person what was strong in their piece.
2. Tell them what needs work.
3. Tell them how to improve on thier shortcomings.
Number 1 should be self-evident. This is the easiest one, I promise. Even if it's just the fact that they had the balls to post in the first place or that the only reason you clicked on the link was a promise of your favorite pairing. Maybe they got in-game details correct, such as timeline or a mention of the Ansem reports. We can all probably pick out something in even the most shoddy work; even Sporkings/MSTings will use these merits as a gag (shock that the author thought to include this fact in their story when everything else is clearly OOC or shot to hell).
What is REALLY important to remember is that Rule 1 is NOT a buffer or a cushion for the blow that is rule 2. As tempting as it is to believe that now you've told them they've done something right, it's okay to rip them to shreds. Negative language will not make anyone learn faster or better. No, it's NOT being soft. NO, not everyone who reads this will take it to heart - some folks will be content to risk the backlash by being blunt. That said, if you foster an approachable environment around yourself then your advice is more apt to be taken. THAT said, this will not necessarily save you from being despised either.
Finally, rules 1 and 2 are nothing without Rule 3. Whenever you make any suggestion, good or bad you MUST justify it. Explain. Yeah, default setting will be to accuse you of being zomg UNFAAIIIIR. Show them why you're not.
This isn't rocket science. You probably knew this. But - there's a bunch of tips and explanations and trivia that goes with this.
1. This first one goes out to EVERYONE. Grow some thicker skin. YOU WILL NOT BE LIKED ALL THE TIME. Whether you are a reader or a writer. If you write something, no matter how good there WILL BE SOMEONE WHO DISLIKES IT. If you review something honestly, you may incur wrath in spite of politeness. Don't like it. You're allowed to be mad. But realize that you're posting an opinion and any opinion will get someone upset.
2. Remember that you, dear reviewer are good. You don't remember what it was like to suck. There's a REASON you can review and be authoritative about the subject matter. You don't remember what it was like to be confused and unsure and worried your writing might not be great if it doesn't get 100 reviews. Those fantastic authors? They don't need your help. They know what to do. You know what to do. Help those who don't.
3. Remember that often, the biggest problem a writer may have with you isn't with your review at all. The most common age of the average fanfiction writer is somewhere in their teenage years. A massive part of the transition from High School to University lies in the transition from childhood to adult. Whenever a student runs at you with a "You weren't fair marking my paper" complaint (Sound familiar? *cough*Myfanfictionisn'tbad*cough*), their problem is, whether they confess outright or just don't realize: they're still dwelling on the supposed consequence which up to now has been an important and terrifying part of their existence. Namely: "Holy shit when mum and dad find out about this, I'm SO boned.". In the lecture hall when I get this, I look at my students and ask them if they really still tell mummy and daddy about their grades.
And suddenly, they realize that hey. They don't have to! They're adults now! The grade and the work and the opinion that their work wasn't 100% fantastic A++++ Material is between them and myself. The same now goes for you writers. Nobody else needs to know or care that someone thought your work was great. Your life is not over and you'll never get a career if someone doesn't like your fanfiction. You will not get grounded if that person over there thinks it's brilliant but that other person over there wants to spork it.
4a. Remember that you are reviewing a piece of work, not a person. If your sole purpose for writing the review is to bring down the author, don't write it. Clearly you have a problem with them, not with their work.
4b. Remember that that person who wrote that review? Yeah, their whole life's purpose is not dedicated to making you the writer miserable. They've probably already forgotten about it. I suggest trying to do the same.
5. A review is advice and an opinion. So is this little outline, really.
Hopefully that helped someone. I'm still learning myself, but I can make some parallels between what happens to me and what I see people upset about within a fanfiction context.
Please comment, please offer your own advice.