Purpose of Feedback
The Writing Circle is not just about sharing work—it’s about helping each other grow as writers. Your feedback should be thoughtful, constructive, and encouraging, while also pointing out areas for improvement.
Think of this as a book club discussion but for each other’s writing:
First, respond as a reader – What moved you? What intrigued you?
Then, respond as a writer/critic – What worked? What didn’t work?
Feedback does not need to be an essay, but it must touch on two key areas:
Two Required Types of Feedback
- Literary Analysis – Responding to the work as a reader.
- Writing Review & Critique – Evaluating the craft and execution.
Each group decides how in-depth critiques will be, but every writer must engage with both literary analysis and writing critique in their feedback.
Literary Analysis (Engaging with the Themes & Ideas)
Literary analysis looks at the meaning, themes, and impact of the piece. It’s about what the writing made you think and feel as a reader.
Questions to Consider for Literary Analysis
- Theme & Meaning: What themes or ideas stood out to you?
- Emotional Impact: Did the story or poem evoke any strong emotions? If so, how?
- Character Depth: Were the characters engaging? Did they feel realistic or compelling?
- Worldbuilding & Atmosphere: How well did the piece create a sense of place or tone?
- Symbolism & Metaphor: Did the writing include interesting symbols, motifs, or deeper meanings?
- Resonance: Did the piece remind you of any other works or concepts?
Writing Review & Critique (Evaluating the Craft)
Writing critique focuses on the technical execution—how well the piece works on a structural and stylistic level.
Questions to Consider for Writing Critique
- Pacing: Did the story flow smoothly, or were there slow/fast sections?
- Structure: Was the story well-organized? Did it have a satisfying arc?
- Dialogue & Voice: Did the dialogue feel natural? Did the narrative voice fit the tone?
- Prose & Style: Was the language effective? Did any sentences feel clunky or awkward?
- Grammar & Clarity: Were there any confusing sections? Did the meaning come through clearly?
- Ending & Resolution: Did the ending feel satisfying or abrupt?
Levels of Feedback Depth
Each group can decide how detailed their critiques will be, but here are two general approaches:
Quick Feedback (Light Analysis)
If you’re short on time but still want to contribute:
- A few sentences on what worked well.
- One or two areas for improvement.
- Think of this as a reader’s reaction rather than an in-depth review.
In-Depth Critique (Detailed Analysis)
For those who want to dig deeper into craft and structure:
- A paragraph or more on themes, characters, and writing style.
Analyzing structure, pacing, and prose in detail.
Optional: Line-by-line critique on specific passages.
Writer’s Role in Feedback
- Writers should denote what kind of feedback they want (general impressions vs. deep critique).
- You must engage with both literary analysis and writing critique, but the depth is up to the group.
- If you want specific feedback on certain areas (e.g., dialogue, pacing), mention it when you submit!
Final Notes
- Be honest, but also be kind—the goal is to help each other improve!
- Even small insights can make a big difference to a writer.
Have fun with the process! Writing is an art, and feedback is a chance to explore different perspectives.