How to review

[Quiver he/him]

So, quick question guys:

 

I want to try and review some fanfiction.

(Well, fimfiction, but that's besides the point).

 

Anyway, I was wondering if you guys could give any advice on how to do so. Generally, when it comes to reading things, my "reviews" tend to come down in one oftwo camps; either pointing out problems I had with the piece, or ignoring the reviewing side of things all together and just giving my analysis/interpretation of events. My MLP analaysis/review thread is probably my best example of how I "work", since most of that details what I think "things mean", or how things can be interpreted; long time forum users might remember my running commentary on Featherwriter's work, particularly her Sydney Scroungers Pacific Rim campaign, which would be another example; most of my "reviewing" there consisted of me making speculation on what things meant/didn't mean, and how I thought the group did things well... but I'm not sure if that's the "right" way to do reviews.

 

On the other hand, pointing out problems and flaws I have with something might be easier, but I don't think it's helpful. 

 

So... I was wondering if anyone could give any pointers on how to write effective (and useful) reviews and commentaries.

 

Thanks!

[Orlion Blight he/him]

Depends on what the person wants. My style tends to be to take the work, throw it on the ground, and stomp on it a few times. So, people come to me for humility

 

The key question to keep in mind is, "Does this make sense?" Are the characters acting according to their characteristics? Are they infected with plot-related-stupidity? Is the tone of the work consistent? Is the writing clear or is it confusing? How was the reading experience over-all? If there are rules, are they followed? And so on and so forth.

 

Considering all those things, instead of "one review" you might consider splitting it into separate "mini-reviews" that focus on one aspect of your criticism. One might focus on how Jill's tumbling after Jack is completely out of character and another on how the structure of the poem moves the action at a nice pace and so on. 

[Tyson]

It doesn't really matter. Give the most honest and straight forward opinion of the peice of writing.

 

What you liked? What you didn't like? What could be changed to make it better? Don't over think these questions, use your gut feeling.

 

It also depends what you are aiming for in your review. Is it a book review like you would read on Goodreads? (A personal opinion of the story) or rather, feedback for the writer of the fan fic?

 

Book Review: this is a personal opinion so there is no right or wrong. The quality of your own writing is more important for a review. Hence why columnists and professional critics have qualifications in English Lit and Creative Writing (if it was so easy, everyone would be doing it). You need to entertain the reader with humour and make it flow between each subject. The use of an engaging and strong voice is essential. If it reads like the back of a cereal box, no one will want to read it.

 

Feedback: this is even easier. Think of yourself as a representation of the potential audience. You point out what you like, dislike, bits where you laughed, bits where your mind wandered, bits where you were on the edge of your seat. It's up to the writer to take the information you provide and decide what to do with it. 

 

Mary Robinette Kowal done a great video explaining how to give feedback. I can't remember her exact words but in summary:

 

Symptom - Diagnosis - Prescription

 

This is how feedback can be interpreted.

 

Symptom - this is the most basic and most essential type. It's pretty much your first, knee jerk reaction to a peice of writing. This is what most writers crave, it gives them an rough idea of how their potential audience will feel about their work, how their characters are recieved and parts which need to be removed from the story. Anyone can give a symptom. This is the purpose of pre-readers. 

Example: I hate Kaladin.   

 

Diagnosis - this is what comes after the symptom. A diagnosis is explaining why you felt that way. What caused your knee jerk reaction to a certain chaaracter. A correct diagnosis depends on your own expereince as a reader and writer. If you gave me feedback on my work for example, i'd value the symptoms more than a diagnosis. Sometimes its easy to incorrectly diagnose a symptom. A close knit writing group with people you trust is a better method of gaining diagnosis, unless of course Neil Gaiman reviewed my work lol. As the more experenced writer, i'd accept everything he said. 

Example: I hate Kaladin because he is always depressed (incorrect diagnosis). I hate Kaladin because he holds onto injustice and only sees the bad in the world, he has no humour at all (correct diagnosis)

 

Prescription - this is for someone who's judgment is extremely good. An existing author, a publisher, an editor. These peices of advice could completely change a writers story, so why would they listen to anyone unles they trusted them 100%. Regardless, a good critic would offer suggestions for the prescription, it would be down to the writer to decide to use it or not. 

Example: I would hate Kaladin less if you provided a foil for his personality. Maybe a mischeivious little spren? A comical freind with one arm and cheesy jokes? A voice of wisdom and loyalty in the form of a large, bearded cook maybe? Kaladin's story just needs something to take the edge off the bitterness. 

 

 

 

So ye...i've just done a really bad job of explaining that. But try and find the video on youtube, it will make more sense.

 

Hope it helps.