How to Seek and Give Helpful Feedback Guidelines

Thanks for James for giving us these guidelines inspired by his work in theater writing and other spaces. I would encourage those on this blog to use these "rounds", maybe even indicate in the label of your blog, the round of feedback you are looking for. 

.....


Round 1 - Single Words

Ask your observers for themes, ideas, or other points they noticed, one word at

a time. A single word about their reaction. I like to ask for “pebbles” or “a single

ripple” so people don’t overthink it and try to summarize. It may be helpful

during this round to emphasize to your observers that they are welcome to bring

what is very uniquely theirs without filter or a wish to “be correct.”


Round 2 - Short sentences, More Specific Topics

Here we ask the observers to describe characters, relationships, plot points, in

their own words. Responders are encouraged to use phrases like “to my ear”

and “to my eye” to preserve the ego of the presenter as well as to keep the

energy in the room open for many interpretations.


It is imperative in this round that authors not interject ANY explanation of their

work whatsoever. Even a simple “yes that’s it!” can shut down anyone else who

may have experienced something completely different, and perhaps something

that you may want to address directly before presenting your work again.


Round 3 - non opinionated questions: “What was your intention behind X?”

This is where the observers are able to ask the creator(s) questions, specifically

regarding what may have confused them about the presentation. This round is

often best introduced: “Is there something you’re curious or confused about?

Those are the questions to bring out now!”


Round 4 - Observers ask to give opinions; Short sentences again beginning with

“To my ear/eye”

I often introduce this section with words like “Imagine you’re asking to give an

opinion on someone’s newborn toddler. Be honest, but be kind. You are, to

many artists, talking about their actual baby.”


Observers (and in this round I like to include actors!) may ask to give an opinion

on what they’ve heard. These are not opinions on anything that hasn’t been

written yet or anyone’s chance to say how they think the show should continue/

change/end. Just opinions on what they’ve read and experienced. We are not

interested in good/bad; those aren’t helpful. We are interested in experiential

words: “peaceful, energizing, terrifying, confusing, arousing, menacing, etc.” the

more colorful and specific the better.


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