Criticism vs Critique

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I grew up with the phrase, "Provide constructive criticism".

On my Authur page, I have the comment: "I share my creativity with you and look forward to hearing your constructive criticism."

Today someone suggested I change the word "criticism" to "critique" to be less . . . harsh? less negative?

What do you all think? Should I use the "criticism" or "critique"?

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Constructive criticism?

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Isn't constructive criticism the same thing as critique? At least, I always thought so.

A critique, is by its very nature critical

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Patricia Marie Allen's picture

Though it has the connotation of being constructive criticism.

critique
krĭ-tēk′
noun

  1. A critical evaluation or analysis, especially one dealing with works of art or literature..
  2. A critical examination or review of the merits of something, especially of a literary or artistic work; a critical examination of any subject: as, Addison's critique on “Paradise Lost.”
  3. The art or practice of criticism; the standard or the rules of critical judgment: as, Kant's “Critique of the Pure Reason.” Also critic.

It's a question of six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Hugs
Patricia

Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann

An odd one

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Penny Lane's picture

The word criticism used to be neutral: to criticise something was to give an analysis of it which could contain positive or negative elements or both.

These days the mere idea of criticism is taken to be negative, which is why I think your reader was attempting to find another word which would indicate positive responses.

Personally I don't respond strongly to those nuances but others may well do. In the words of a certain King, I can offer no remedy.

Penny

Writing

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If you are going to get in the water, be ready for the sharks.

Gwen

A Thousand "Attagirls"

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. . .are wiped out by one "Aw shit."

Maybe replace "criticism" with "comments."

I've had wonderful comments and I've had terrible things said about me and my writing.

Both here and on Amazon. It goes with the territory.

Every human endeavor can be set on a bell curve. Forty percent of those who comment are horrible people who say horrible things that don't reflect on your work. It's not about you. Forty percent don't have a clue what they're talking about. The last twenty percent are on your side. They want to help you grow and tell you how marvelous you are. Some do it effectually.

Years ago, I read Stephen King's "On Writing." He writes for his wife. He's on pins and needles every time until she gives her critique. That makes sense to me.

Find a select group of people you know and trust. Send your manuscript to them and listen carefully to what they say.

Also, understand that people's tastes vary wildly. I love almost anything written by John Grisham, Kurt Vonnegut, or Mark Twain. A lot of people don't like any of them.

The other day I was out with a friend of mine who I've known for fifty years. He casually told me that he doesn't read anything he doesn't absolutely have to. Especially fiction. How about that?

Jill

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

I suspect the nuances of the

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I suspect the nuances of the differences between the two have changed with time and place.
I too grew up with "constructive criticism" but would worry that enough of today's internet readers wont see the "constructive". "Critique" will force them to pause and note that not all criticism will be appreciated, but it might make some react because you are not using the simplest language.

If the sharks are hungry they will eat.

There is an important difference

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E. E. Nalley's picture

Critique can contain nothing positive. For example my critique of Crucifix in Urine would be scathing, dismissive, lean heavily on words like perverse, needlessly disgusting and lacking of all artistic merit or talent. I would suggest the “artist” consider taking up baking but I would be concerned of potential poisoning.

That’s a critique and it’s completely without any positive words whatsoever. Constructive criticism discusses the theory of the art to explain why something works or doesn’t while pointing out what the art did well and encouraging them to continue to improve.

I'm out of my mind and into yours!

Stay with

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Angharad's picture

constructive criticism anything else will get you some comments which will do nothing for your writing or your feelings.

Angharad

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