I’ve been in several critique groups. Some worked very well, others didn’t. Some started off strong but faded after a while. The tips below are designed to help you create a critique group that fosters growth, mutual support, and effective feedback.
- Choose the Right Size. The ideal group size is 3-5 members. Larger groups can make it difficult for everyone to participate fully. Smaller groups are effective for more in-depth critique. Pairs can also work, but the dynamics are very different.
- Foster a Team Atmosphere. Naming your group like a team fosters community and cohesion. Group dynamics improve when members feel like they’re part of something collective and supportive.
- Create a Working Agreement. Before critiques begin, have a meet-and-greet to set expectations. Discuss meeting frequency, duration, whether to bring food (if meeting in person), and other logistics. Decide on ground rules for how critiques will be conducted: how long each critique lasts, whether authors can speak during critique, and who gets to speak when. It’s also worth discussing document format if you’ll exchange pages electronically.
- Agree on Logistics Early. Decide how often to meet and establish how much work should be submitted for critique. Critiques work best when everyone has a chance to read the pages in advance. Two to three days is usually practical. A file sharing tool like Dropbox is valuable, or you can use email.
- Check In Regularly. Start each session with a quick check-in so members can share their energy levels and emotional states. This helps set expectations for engagement and avoids misunderstandings.
- Handle Membership Changes Thoughtfully. Membership will change over time. Whenever this happens, it’s important to revisit the group’s working agreements and expectations. The introduction of a new member or the departure of an existing one will shift group dynamics, so take time to adjust.
Semantics & So On 