A Place for Loonys

9 Surprising Reasons You Need to Stop Asking for Constructive Criticism

This is a two part series discussing the cons of constructive criticism vs the benefits of constructive commenting. This week I will discuss the arguments for why I am so against constructive criticism, and next week I will go into the nitty gritty of how to constructively comment and have some guest comments from two writers. The first a writer who has received my constructive comments and the second from my tutor who gives me constructive comments.

The first two explanatory points in the dictionary for criticism are:

1. the act of passing judgment as to the merits of anything.

2. the act of passing severe judgment; censure; faultfinding.

I don’t believe in constructive criticism, and I really don’t think you should be asking for it. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not suggesting for a moment that you shouldn’t ask for feedback. Actually I think the total opposite, you absolutely should ask for it. After all, none of us are perfect and how do we expect to learn if not by having feedback or being questioned about our work? But, I don’t think you need constructive criticism in order to develop. You need:

CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS

Don’t roll your eyes, I promise I’m not arguing semantics, stick with me and keeping reading to the end and hopefully I can convince you otherwise…

Constructive criticism is inherently bad. We slave over our work and when we’re done, we offer it out we ask people to criticise it. Why? Have you ever actually asked yourself why you want to be criticised?

I don’t think you do. I certainly don’t.

Here’s my reasons why you should stop asking for constructive criticism and start asking for constructive comments.

I’m 6’2 and weigh 180lbs

Pokemon-Pikachu and Ash’s Reunion