- What is the writer’s main point?
- What will the reader gain from reading this post?
- Does the post make sense overall? Does the writer stay on topic?
- Is the topic and perspective relatable to most readers?
Then look through each of the paragraphs or topic sections individually.
- How does this paragraph support the main point?
- Does this paragraph include enough detail?
- Can you clearly visualize the event or experience— Sight? Hear? Smell? Taste? Feel? Emotion?
- Can you easily understand all the concepts referenced?
- Do the paragraphs transition easily from one to another? Do sentences flow together smoothly?
- Are there any phrasings that might be alienating or off-putting to a reader (hard-to-recognize sarcasm, slang terms and extremely niche/insider references, jokes or memes)?
- Note: Writers should show their personality, and that could include things outside of mainstream culture. But they still need to make a connection with the reader to make it fun reading.
- Ask Web Communications staff for help if you come across a questionable phrase.
Now step back again and consider the post from a marketing perspective.
- Does WSU come across in an overall positive light?
- What would a prospective student conclude about WSU from reading this post? About WSU students?
- If the writer mentions a bad experience at WSU, do they bring the post back to how the problem was successfully resolved/overcome?
- Note: It’s really tricky balance acknowledging the writer’s experience and maintaining a positive reputation for WSU.
- Ask Web Communications staff for help if you run into this problem.
Lastly, provide feedback to the writer for any necessary revisions.
- Start by pointing out at least 1 positive thing about their post. Be sincere in your appreciation.
- Frame the conversation/feedback as “ways to improve the post” rather than “fixing mistakes”.
- Put yourself in the mindframe of a potential reader and try not to let your own personal preferences sway your comments too much
- Make “I” statements to avoid making the writer feel blamed or attacked
- “I was confused here” v. “You were confusing here”
- “I want to read more detail about X” v. “You didn’t say enough about X"
- Be specific as possible in your comments. “I didn’t quite follow how X connects to Y because...” is more helpful to a writer than simply “Needs Transition"
- If you were confused by something, ask what the writer intended to say. Give them the opportunity to explain and see where/how they can elaborate or clarify.