A writer sends you a scene and asks what you think. “I liked it” is kind, but it leaves them guessing. A page of corrections may leave them just as unsure about what matters.
Useful feedback gives the writer something they can find in the draft and think about. It doesn’t have to sound like a book review.
Ask what kind of feedback they want.
A first draft and a nearly finished story need different attention. Ask whether they’re worried about the character, the pacing, a particular scene, or something else. Find out if sentence corrections would be helpful right now.
If they haven’t asked for anything specific, read once before reaching for the red pen.
Point to the place that caused your reaction.
“I was confused” becomes much more useful when you say where and why.
“When Nina calls the house ‘ours,’ I thought she lived there. The next paragraph says this is her first visit. I wasn’t sure how to put those two things together.”
The writer can now decide whether to clarify a detail or keep a deliberate uncertainty. You’ve described the problem without assuming you know the only fix.
Tell them what’s working, too.
Specific praise helps a writer know what to protect during revision. If a quiet gesture tells you more than a whole conversation, say so. If you’re desperate to know what’s behind the door, point to the line that made you curious.
This isn’t about sandwiching every criticism between compliments. It’s about giving an accurate account of the reading experience, including the good parts.
Separate a reaction from a suggestion.
“I didn’t believe he would leave his sister here” is your reaction. “Could he try to get her out first?” is one possible suggestion. Make the distinction clear.
Avoid turning preferences into rules. You may like shorter descriptions or less dialogue. That doesn’t mean this writer is trying to write the same kind of story you are.
Leave them with a manageable next step.
If you noticed ten things, name the one or two that most affected your understanding. Let the writer decide what to do with your notes. They know parts of the story you haven’t seen yet.
Try three reader notes.
On a short passage, mark one moment that worked, one place that confused you, and one question you’d like the writer to consider. Quote a few words to locate each note. Keep suggestions separate from what you actually felt while reading.