Post History

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/28724
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Some time ago I came across a [Beta reading worksheet](http://jamigold.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Beta-reading-worksheet-A-and-B.jpg). One common thing is to go through those (or other) points and tell the writer only the problems that one found using them. But IMO it's important to tell the writer your answer to all the points, bad and good.

> **eg:**
> 
> Does the story begin in the right place? Yes.
> 
> Does it start with a good hook? No.
> 
> **Typical Feedback:** You don't really have a hook in the beginning of the story.
> 
> **Ideal feedback:** You don't really have a hook in the beginning of the story but I believe it starts in just the right moment, with the right event. I think it may need a different PoV or cut down on the exposition because it really slows down the whole momentum.

[Jami Gold's blog entry](http://jamigold.com/2014/08/introducing-the-beta-reading-worksheet/), which has the worksheet I mentioned, also has these interesting ideas:

> Author Connie Flynn advises that we should avoid “Why did you…?” feedback comments. Why questions along those lines tend to put people on the defensive. She instead shares these excellent suggested critique phrases:
> 
> I don’t understand…(whatever it is).  
> The detail seems…(to slow the pace, insufficient, whatever).  
> The…(character, setting, etc.) is coming across…(feisty, depressing, important, etc.). Is that what you intended?  
> Did you want to convey (irritation, happiness, whatever)?  
> How did…(Sally get to the store, John saw down the tree, etc.)? (Use to point out missing information.)  
> Wouldn’t a character…(who has such and such a trait) do or not do…(such and such)? (Use to point out inconsistent behavior.)  
> Wasn’t…(John a blue-eyed man, Sally submissive, etc.) in Chapter (xxx)? (Use to point out inconsistent information.)  
> Carol’s (goal) seems to be… . Is that correct?  
> Your story question seems to be… .  
> I’m confused about John’s motivation.  
> And most important . . . I really liked… . (end on a strength)

While this advice ends with strengths, I would argue you shoul include strengths within the block of criticism. So if a character comes across as feisty or depressing in a portion of the tale (or all of it) you can balance that criticism with another character which you feel is well-developed and compare the two.

Original score: 4