Giving and receiving critique

Ages 13 to 17 Read alone · about 35 minutes

Read together

Good critique helps a work grow. It is specific, kind and useful, not just praise or put-downs.

Receiving critique takes courage: listen first, then decide what to use.

Do it

1. Share a drawing, song or piece of writing with a trusted person.
2. Ask them for one thing that works, one question, and one suggestion.
3. Listen without defending. Write down what you hear.
4. Then give the same three kinds of feedback on their work.

Talk about it

• What suggestion will you use?
• How did it feel to hear it?

For the grown-up

Critique is a life skill. Model receiving feedback graciously yourself. Proverbs speaks of wise people welcoming correction (for example Proverbs 12:1); that is a labelled summary to check.

Mark as done

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Where this comes from

• Lerman, L., and Borstel, J., Liz Lerman's Critical Response Process (Dance Exchange, 2003)
• Book of Proverbs 12:1 (any standard translation)

Written with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed. Please read it before sharing it with a child.