Yeah man! Good advice there, my friend. Gods, I wished some of the people who reviewed me had read this essay first. It's not that I don't appreciate all sorts of reviews, but stuff like "OMG. Really luved it!" do absolutely nothing for me. Sure, it MAY be useful for people who don't have an ego like mine, but I, personally, really don't need them.

Yes, "OMG. Really luved it!" is a fine opinion, but I also really want to know WHY (you) "Really luved it!"

Hope this is a useful review to ya...

Keep writing,
MidNight

Great tips. I'll definitely use them when writing reviews. :-)

All I have to say is thank you. :)

Stumbled on this and thought I would just add to the other reviewes my own thank you for your summary and tips. Well written and all valid points.

Wonderful guide. This should me to reviews others' works from now. Thanks. :)

Awesome list of how to review, I really loved it! I think all lot of people should have this recommended to them because they don't have a bloody clue on how to submit a halfway decent comment. The style you did this in, almost point form facts, was smart and useful. I also completely loved how good you weer at adding facts as detail and would love to see more of this from you soon.

Hey, I just saw this on written's c2 and felt compelled to read just in case I was doing some kind of fatal flaw in my reviews. I like what you had to say.

Anyway, I am glad to see that you have the first and last rule that I like to go by. Start with something positive and end with something positive. This is the major rule I was taught to live my life by. Seriously, this should be the rule of life, regardless of if you're talking about reviews or meeting someone or whatever. Of course... look at me... I just tend to ramble uncontrollably and not follow the rules at all...

hey you! I've already spammed you today with LJ comments, but I thought I'd let you know that I'm adding this to my community, because I think it's a good, concise write up on how to review :)

like your other reviewers on this essay have noted, it is intimidating to review a piece on this subject...

Very straightford and professionally written piece. It's easy reading with screen friendly and reading friendly. Nice title. Good luck with writing, life, and those reviews. Have a wonderful day.

~Twilight Starr~

I've recommended this guide to a LOT of people.
Thank you for writing it ^^

This feels weird reviewing a review tips essay! This is really useful! I do try to review in depth but I often don't have time!

A lot of people I know on really need to learn how to review! Could I put the first and last tips on my profile there because it could really help some people not to cause petty vendettas about over critical reviews!

Keep up the good work.

Reviewing has always been quite a problem for me and I would like to thank you for creating this guide. I will try to make my next review this thorough and to do that I will have to save this in my favorites.

You know what? This is exactly what I do with my CC reviews.

*le gasp*

First off,a good hardy,southern 'Thank you' is in order..I'm so glad that someone other than me feels these steps are important. You have put a lot of thought and time into giving readers a simple and easy to understand 'outline' to follow. The sad thing is, i just wish more people would read it and take it to heart. More times than not I find the review sections of stories to be filled with fluff and silly nonsense that would be better suited in an email. Thank you once again and good luck with your writing! -Scottie

noted.

you've said that i do review a little offensively, but i am trying to fix that by attempting to do as you've advised me to when we talk (rare as they are) on YIM. i've saved this one on Notepad mostly because it's the clearest and most direct reviewing guide that i've read in FP, and cheers to you for writing this one. i know i will mostly benefit from this (and the poor ones that i review as well).

and oh, thanks for this guide, elise-sensei.