No matter how much or how little writing know-how you feel you've accumulated, you're a good critique partner. How do I know? Because I know you can read. And I know you've been learning and practicing your craft. And I know how you feel about your writing friend that join us here and on the board and newsgroups.
The entire purpose of a crit is to get a reaction from someone who is unfamiliar with your work. No matter how much you tinker, adjust and edit, you will not see your writing as others do. One--you are usually your own worst critic and don't see where the piece is very good, or two--you really love the writing and can't see where it's very bad. If you want to improve as a writer, the best way is to get good critiques of your work. And the best way to get a good crit is to be available to give a good one. Critiquing helps you hone your own writing skills by forcing you to look more closely at a story for what works and what doesn't.
If there is nothing else you can do (and I know that's not true!) you can read and give a from-the-gut reaction to the story. Note how you feel about the characters, the pace, the dialog, the description. That information alone is valuable to the author.
If you stop there, though, with "I loved the character and I couldn't wait to see what happened next" you've provided a comment, a piece of a critique. Comments don't require the same amount of work or the same amount of involvement on the part of the reader, as does a critique. What else is needed?
Instead of telling the author, "I liked it," pinpoint what made the piece likable. Did you identify with the character? Why? Where you pulled into the setting? Did the opening fail to set up questions to make you keep reading? Define what produces your reaction. A good way do this is to quote direct passages from within the work to explain your point.
Remember to tell the author what works as well as what doesn't. Let the writer build on a foundation of strengths in order to overcome weaknesses. Additionally, if you note improvement in a certain area over the course of a few critiques, be sure to point that out as well.
When you feel a particular passage is unclear or could be improved, give specific ideas as to how this might be done. Even if the author doesn't use the suggestions, you've taken your own writing ability to a deeper level by identifying a trouble spot and how you would fix it. Always remember to offer your suggestions with tact and respect.
Providing details in your critique allows a writer to learn which parts work for the reader and which ones don't. Your suggestions may open up possibilities that the writer has not considered. Everyone benefits from the process.
Let's switch gears now. Let's say you sent your beautifully crafted, fledgling manuscript out to your friends, and it comes back full of deletions, corrections and comments, and it hits you like a punch in the stomach. You worked so hard, and you knew this one was perfect before you even let it out for the vultures to circle over. How could these people be so picky? <G>
It is so important to understand that comments about your writing are not comments about your writing ability or about you as a person. What's more, these comments are opinions. Opinions have never been etched in stone as law, and there are as many different opinions as there are readers. Lastly, these people are your friends. They don't "pick your work apart" because they want to see you fail. They want to see you succeed, and will offer whatever they can to help you do so.
So first of all, make it a rule never to harbor negative feeling towards your crit partners. I It takes two to be offended. Someone has to say something a bit harsh or tactless, and the other has to view it that way. In other words, if you refuse to take offense, it can't be given. Always assume the best of your helpers. Doing this keeps you open to new ideas and interpretations. That's the best way to learn and progress.
Do you have to use every suggestion you receive? Of course not. Use the suggestions you find helpful and discard those you don't. It's still your piece and you aren't required to make any changes you don't feel good about. However, when you receive the same suggestion from several different reviewers, it is a strong indication that there is an area in need of work. Pay close attention to the comments and suggestions before you discard those particular suggestions.
There are a couple of ways to save your partners some time and also be sure you get exactly the critique you want. They are:
Lastly, be sure and thank your partners for their help.