01-13-2012, 03:24 AM
I always tell them that I will find a lot wrong with it, no matter how good it is, and that I do not praise or say nice things. I then return it to them and tell them to think about for a week, and if they still want me to look at it to bring it back then. As what most people are really wanting is praise and instant gratification, that usually weeds most of them out right there, and as the week allows enough time to pass that they can pretend they ever asked me, all is well and good!
But of course this is well traveled ground for us, isn't it Ed. You could just go through and mark all the things that are objectively wrong with with it such as grammar, punctuation, and that which is redundant or a cliche phrase. If you do the corrections with a red pen that should make a pretty good mess of it, without ever having to poo-poo his ideas. As long as you don't attack the idea, or the originality, most people can deal with the other, and they are already used to those kinds of corrections that from school.
Dale
But of course this is well traveled ground for us, isn't it Ed. You could just go through and mark all the things that are objectively wrong with with it such as grammar, punctuation, and that which is redundant or a cliche phrase. If you do the corrections with a red pen that should make a pretty good mess of it, without ever having to poo-poo his ideas. As long as you don't attack the idea, or the originality, most people can deal with the other, and they are already used to those kinds of corrections that from school.
Dale
How long after picking up the brush, the first masterpiece?
The goal is not to obfuscate that which is clear, but make clear that which isn't.
The goal is not to obfuscate that which is clear, but make clear that which isn't.