Reviewing Newsletters Archive

Setting Up A "How I Review" Item - by vivacious

Table of Contents:

1. Letter from the Editor
2. Editor’s Picks
3. Ask & Answer

Issue #1 of the Writing.Com Reviewing Newsletter is: vivacious

Letter from the Editor:

Happy Friday all!

It is my pleasure to write the second Reviewing Newsletter. Thank you PastVoices for nominating me to be one of the editors, to Elisa the Bunny Stik for putting all this together, and to you, The Reader.

The subject today bounces off Arwee ’s previous newsletter about the different types of reviewers. It’s short, but I hope you find it useful.

Much of what Arwee outlined could also describe reviewees. When we post an item, we expect a certain kind of review, usually the kind we give. For instance, I love when people give me thorough reviews with regard to sentence structure, grammar, and content. While I receive a few of those, I mostly get the more emotional responses, something not always useful to me, because that’s not what I expect in a review.

What helped me once with one emotional review is the reviewer told me straight out how they review and why via a linked item. After reading it, I understood readers read our items for different reasons and look for different things.

With my frustration assuaged from this person’s item, I decided to create one describing how I review and what I look for. It also informs the reader why any reviews can - and even should - be ignored. I figured if certain types of reviews frustrate me, then it’s reasonable to assume I’ve frustrated others with my reviews. I now link it with every review I give. Most of the responses have been positive.

If you haven’t yet, I recommend you do the same. I’d love for you to send me the link so I can showcase them in my next newsletter.

Editor’s Picks:

My editor’s picks are examples of how and why people review:

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #1048403 by Not Available.

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #1242663 by Not Available.

Review Or Critique, Which Is It?  (E) An introduction to my personal philosophy, and why! #1168045 by Budroe

And a new addition 3/7/08:

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #1392374 by Not Available.

Ask & Answer:

With this being my first newsletter, I have nothing to add here. Still, if you have any questions, suggestions, subjects you’d like for me to tackle, or how to improve the newsletter, don’t hesitate to email me.

Thanks bunches, and I hope you have a great weekend.