User blog comment:Webkinz Mania/Writer's Workshop: Commenting Etiquette/@comment-1874924-20100506033625

One thing I would add: if you make negative comments, be specific. Don't just say, "it sucks" or "it needs improvement"; say why you think it sucks, or how you think it could be improved, else how will the writer learn? And, of course, maintain civility at all times. (Thus, if you think a story sucks, you should probably find a softer word for it.)

On a related note, criticize the story, not the writer. If you make a personal attack, the writer will tend to become more concerned with defending himself than with considering whether you may be right. You don't have to be disagreeable to disagree.