How the Word Weavers Critique Method is Unique

You may have already watched the video on the home page showing a brief illustration of the “sandwich critique method” or the “cold sandwich critique” method.

But what makes it “cold”?

At Word Weavers International we do not send our work ahead of time (except in the rarest of cases).

Why?

Three reasons: 1) When you attend a writers conference, you will sit in front of editors, agents, and freelance writers who will not have had the opportunity to see your work ahead of time. We want what can often feel nerve-wracking to feel as natural to you as breathing; 2) We assure our members that their dedication to Word Weavers International in time spent at meetings is no more than three hours per month. With the exception of your own work, there’s no other time commitments; and 3) If you have five people in a writers group that sends out work ahead of time, possibly two of the members will give 100% attention to the work while the other three will only give the work a passing glance. “I got busy and didn’t really have time to . . .” is an often-heard reason. But at Word Weavers International meetings, you are in attendance to receive critique and to give critique. You’re not required to give any more of your time otherwise. No worries . . . and no apologizes necessary.

What makes it a sandwich?

The first slice of bread is “say something positive” such as “Your word choices are spot on” or “I felt everything your character was experiencing.” 

The meat of the critique is where you focus on helping your fellow writer grow stronger as a writer. 

The last slice of bread is, again, “say something positive.”

At Word Weavers International, we are not here to rip someone’s baby to shreds. We are here to build one another up, to help one another grow as writers, to critique rather than criticize, and to support one another by critiquing rather than with traditional editing.

What is the difference in “editing” and “critiquing”?

Glad you asked! While at a Word Weavers International meeting you may certainly “point out” a misspelled word or a missing end quote, this is not our focus. Our focus is critique.

The following examples will help you to understand the difference.

Remember, while giving a short edit is okay, our focus is on critique. Let’s look at one more. Even though it is labeled as “fiction,” it could be either fiction or nonfiction.