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Copyright (C) 2008-2009 David B. Axelrod |
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HELPFUL LINKS |
HOW TO MAKE YOUR WORKSHOP COMMENTS AND REVISIONS I am not satisfied with a critique unless it shows you really tried to edit and revise. To do that, don't just make a "blanket" statement. Rather, go line by line and use a different type style, color, italics, some editing device to highlight your workshop comments for the author and for me. To learn to write better you should look for every way that you can to improve the writing. You should give detailed and specific comments on word choices--why you like or don't like the exact wording. You should comment
on the descriptions/images (the pictures) or the lack of good description. You should find
and fix anything that doesn't seem grammatical or standard or account for why
you think a
rule has been broken. Generally, you are writing in a standard form! An
individual style is one thing; inaccuracy is another! If that is all that is offered, is, "Your essay is really good," you will get no credit.. That is just a way to avoid offering real help! Of course, I've been doing this forever and this may be
the first time you've tried it, but I would hope that you would go into great detail. Say more! What makes
an essay "good?" Summarize the
"point" it "displays." If "displays" is meant to
refer to describe, then single out and comment on specific images. Say where
"the flow was interrupted" and you can even suggest exactly where and
what might be added! My objective when I read a student's or anyone's essay in a workshop, is to help the writer make the essay the best it can be. I have my likes and dislikes, of course. I write a certain way much of the time. Please don't think that I'm trying to re-make your style into my style! I'd also feel bad if, unknowingly, I did anything that was a "turn off" for you. In any work I read, I try to say what I like best and in doing so, I may suggest that other parts of the writing/essay be rewritten to make it at least as good as that other part.
So, be reassured... I'm absolutely not into proving I know something you don't know or that I'm a better writer than you are. Phooey on that! I am a really good editor, having worked with hundreds of writers at all levels and ages over the years. I may not comment on every line of what you send me but let's just say you'll get your money's worth!
Finally, let me give you all some pointers regarding typing up and sending your essays:
1.Use 12 point, standard, black and white type: Times Roman, Century Schoolbook, Book Antiqua--easily readable.
2. Set margins to an inch all around and indent each paragraph so a page tends to hold 300 words.
3. Send your essays as standard Microsoft Word (.doc) attachments. Alternately you may use .txt or rich text, but as often your format is lost.
I CAN NOT OPEN ANY DOCUMENTS IN NON-STANDARD FORMATS, or even in Apple, in Word Perfect.
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