[Gossamer's Scrapbook] The Ethereal Canyon I

[Indigo]

This is an interesting subject--especially for staff grading. What's the best way to give a correction without someone feeling butthurt? What's the magical formula for the critiqued to -not- take it as a personal attack? It's also part of my (non-writing) job to make necessary quick judgements and corrections, but on Miza it's a very different topic entirely. Where's the line between corrective and asshat? Or is that an individual perception as well? I prefer bald honesty, but that's my own family trait and I know that most people just don't operate that way.

[Victor Lark]

Honestly, I think we're agreeing. The only difference is the terminology, which really isn't the point of what anyone's trying to say. In my experience, maybe because of the academic setting I'm exposed to every day, people taking criticism personally isn't a problem because the criticism is constructive. It's "Your run-on sentences distract from my understanding of your description. This is what a run-on sentence is and this is how you could split it up to be more concise," and not "Why don't you just write better?"

And If that person thinks your honesty is offensive, that shouldn't ruin your day.

Indigo, if you're honest and objective, the player will (or should) feel respected and will honor your critique. You can't be expected to give them much more than that!

[Verilian]

The way I see it, it doesn't matter what you call it. You're making a big deal over the fact that it's being called "constructive" criticism, but honestly who cares what it's called? I don't know the origins of the terminology, and really I don't care about that. The way I've always seen it, when someone said they wanted constructive criticism what they were actually saying was, "Criticize me." As in.. don't say, "Oh, it was great." Or, "I don't like it." It's a way to remind people to actually say something useful, rather than just give a blank statement. Great, you liked it.. why? Or why not? Hmm.. I can't seem to get around to the point I'm trying to make. Basically all I'm saying is, they call it "Constructive" criticism so that certain people out there can tell the difference between, "I didn't like it," and "The plot had several flaws. For instance, the main protagonist wasn't even involved in that event. If you had instead done this.." Anyway.. the point is, "Constructive" criticism is just a term they made up to get people who don't understand things easily to understand what the hell criticism actually is. There are a lot of things like that, where they change the name slightly to make it easier to understand, when if you knew the actual definition of a word and used your brain a little, you would hopefully understand it anyway. These things are necessary because there are a lot of people out there who need words like "Constructive" or whatever to make sense of things. And that's just how it is. And I realize this really has nothing to do with the original post.. I just felt like ranting about the word constructive. I am done now. Bye bye. ~V

[Gossamer]

Victor- My whole point is the terminology. That's why I felt you weren't understanding.

Ron- I know. But I hate it when the world dumbs things down for people that shouldn't need it. That's why I loathe the term. That's what I'm trying to say and why I'm hung up on the terminology. I know it doesn't matter to you, and that's great. But your absolutely right about what your saying about me. I am fixated on it and I hate it. I don't understand why the rest of the world isn't more peeved about being lead around by the nose behavior and society wise by terminology.

[Gossamer]

. If You Don't Feel Like Writing... Play like hell in photoshop and show your PC some love anyhow. Mine wanted to swing supermodel style today. Recipe : Original Girl On Swing (great legs, way too much gut) A decapitated head from Kav's Model Fish Scales Star Brushes in PS Add this all to a random wallpaper background... That's the recipe! .

[Paragon]

Personally... yes, I expect a basic grasp of spelling and grammar, but honestly? Telling players how to use semicolons, or that their spelling sucks? I'm probably a bad person, but I just don't say it. This is a casual roleplaying site, not the UK national spelling bee finals.

Oh, and Ronan says, SEXY KAVALA!

[Colombina]

I just like to shout "YOU DON'T KNOW ME!" when criticized. I find it speaks to my maturity level.

[Kadrath Onktaka]

Unfortunately with today's increasing technological reliance, many can still remain ignorant and barely literate with things like this:
There's an app for that

Yes, I'm not fond of the dumbing down going on all over every facet of the media and entertainment industries either.

P.S. Uruk says he's still very single, Kavala...

[Aidara]

Sign Because it's been forever since I made you one

[Halcyon]

Found something you could use: