The Golden Rule

My first impression when I learned I had to critique someone else’s memoir was that I had no business doing so. Likewise, I somewhat resented the idea that my classmates had to analyze mine. In my mind, the professor was the only one who had the proper credentials to help make me a better writer. However, after reading James Drisko’s article, and finishing my own reviews of two peers’ memoirs, I realized that one does not necessarily have to be a professor or have years of experience as an editor to provide good feedback. As mere readers, we are all eligible for the job and can answer the questions any writer has: was my story entertaining, did you connect with it, why did it work, why didn’t it, etc., etc.? To me, the more perspectives and opinions I can get to improve my work and become a stronger writer, the better.

I admired Drisko's approach to delivering constructive feedback to writers. In essence, he practices The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I strived to keep this perspective in mind when reviewing my classmate’s papers. I also enjoyed learning about “The Sandwich Approach,” a technique that begins by providing the writer with strong comments, weaving in areas for improvement, then concluding with more remarks that are positive. Drisko’s advice provided me with good direction on how to offer constructive feedback, which, I hope, ultimately benefitted the memoir writers.