Top Ten Things to NOT DO When Giving Critique

1. Conflate the person with their writing. They are not their writing. They are a different person than their writing.
2. Tell the person that their passion is not worth their time and that they should give up. 
3. Forget that you don’t know everything. Many writers disagree on what makes writing ‘good’. Don’t assume your opinion is god. Respect everyone opinion- remember writing is subjective 
4. Take it personally if they do not take your comments 
5. Pretend you have read what you have not; say you will read something and then blow the person off without communicating why you have been unable to keep your agreement
6. Bash the writing because your prefer a different genre or style. And never gossip behind writers' backs during the critique process. 
7. Get fixated on a minor issue and pile with other critiquers. 
8. Interrupt, talk over or be rude to other critiquers or the author.
9. Forget to say something nice about the writing.
10. Forget to be aware of the language you're using. Comments such as 'silly' or 'dumb' are unhelpful.