%title What is Feedback?

For each story, one participant who is not the author will be asked to provide a short summary of the story (you'll be picked at random, so be prepared to do so for each of them). After that, there will be a round of critiques where the other participants will respond to the story with their thoughts, followed by the instructor minus the first story on Friday, where the instructor will go first. Each participant will be limited to about five minutes to talk about each piece. When their own piece is being critiqued, they should remain silent until the instructor and other participants have finished, and then there will be a short period of discussion.

As to what we're looking for, it's probably easier to answer what critique isn't. Importantly, critique is not editing or proof-reading. What you are looking to talk about is the general structure of the piece such as the arc of the plot, the depth of the characters, and the style of the writing. Consider the questions:

* How did the story impact you?
* What did you like about it?
* What did you think could be improved?
* Who was your favorite character? Your least favorite? Why?
* Was the story effective on an emotional and intellectual level? Was it not? How so?
* Were there any points at which you felt confused? Disappointed? Let down? How so?

Above all, though, critique is kind and supportive. Your goal here is to help the other participants improve not just their story, but how they approach their writing in the future.
