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I& #39;ve been thinking about writing/editing feedback a lot.
I run content/marketing at work. I& #39;m also in a writing group and helping a friend edit their book.
I& #39;ve had the most impact when I think about feedback as helping the writer, not the writing.
Here& #39;s how to do it...
I run content/marketing at work. I& #39;m also in a writing group and helping a friend edit their book.
I& #39;ve had the most impact when I think about feedback as helping the writer, not the writing.
Here& #39;s how to do it...
First, is the goal of your feedback...
1) Improving the final piece?
Or
2) Helping someone be a better writer?
I think in most instances it& #39;s the second. Sometimes, it& #39;s the first — like when a blog post or email needs to go out, and you& #39;re giving it a last look.
1) Improving the final piece?
Or
2) Helping someone be a better writer?
I think in most instances it& #39;s the second. Sometimes, it& #39;s the first — like when a blog post or email needs to go out, and you& #39;re giving it a last look.
If you& #39;re improving a final piece, chances are you& #39;re scanning for:
• Correct spelling and grammar
• Proper formatting and links
• Consistent voice and tone
• General clarity
Those tend to be quick fixes.
• Correct spelling and grammar
• Proper formatting and links
• Consistent voice and tone
• General clarity
Those tend to be quick fixes.
Quick fix edits are useful, and both the feedback giver and recipient can learn from them.
But when you& #39;re focused on helping someone be a better writer, it& #39;s best to give feedback that helps them change or improve behaviors.
Here& #39;s how I& #39;ve been effective in doing that.
But when you& #39;re focused on helping someone be a better writer, it& #39;s best to give feedback that helps them change or improve behaviors.
Here& #39;s how I& #39;ve been effective in doing that.
It is insanely hard to put original ideas to paper, and then ask people to scrutinize it.
Anytime someone is asking you for feedback, they& #39;re essentially asking you to look at their thoughts and judge their structure.
So remember to be kind.
When you& #39;re reviewing someone& #39;s Google Doc, you have the opportunity to give your real-time reactions. They invited you along for the ride, why not offer your own train of thought?
Leave comments to say you love an idea, LOLed, or felt in suspense.
• Did you learn something new?
• Did their writing make you feel seen?
• Did it make your heart scream?
• Did it help you more deeply empathize?
You& #39;ll give critical feedback too. Make them feel supported first.
Think their title is boring or a joke doesn& #39;t land? Offer ideas.
Writers know that when they& #39;re too close to an idea, it& #39;s hard to zoom out and see it more clearly. Sometimes they just need a nudge in the right direction.
Unless you know each other& #39;s writing & feedback styles well, don& #39;t just say, "This sentence is awkward."
Help them solve it: "I feel like you& #39;re trying to say X, but these past 3 paragraphs have been about Y. How can you bridge the gap?"
Sometimes a draft will be a mess. It happens. Rather than offering line-by-line fixes, you& #39;ll probably be more helpful by suggesting a new prompt.
It forces the writer to make a choice: defend or destroy their ideas.
• You mention X, Y and Z but there isn& #39;t a cohesive theme. What if you start over, fleshing out only X?
• Of all the ideas presented, Y is most interesting. Can you narrow your scope and write on that?
