Seeing as there's quite a bit of confusion as to what criticism is and how to constructively criticise, I'm putting together a little information and advice using official sources as well as concrete examples. It's understandable that there is confusion, and don't feel bad if you find that you've been acting under a mistaken assumption yourself because even the professional world gets it wrong from time to time, and just as people are complex, so is constructive criticism of their work. I've been fortunate in life to study under a well thought-out educational system that taught us these principles in practice and clearly. I will try to pass on what I have learned here. It should help to guide you on your way, too, and allow you full freedom to express your thoughts without personally offending someone. What is criticism: The word "criticism" has two meanings, but we will be concentrating on the professional meaning of the word as it relates to constructive criticism: "The analysis and judgement of the merits and faults of a literary or artistic work." > Oxford Dictionaries The key thing here is that it is the artwork, not the artist that's being criticised. An objective standpoint is crucial to well-constructed criticism. -- Examples: -- I can see you need to improve your angles. That right angle seems a little off. - constructive criticism Your work generally fails to capture emotion. - criticism This is way too dark to see anything on it. - criticism What is not criticism: Criticism used in the common form (first meaning) of the word that is defined to relate to the following words in a thesaurus is not the form of criticism we are talking about here, and it is not something that should be practiced on these forums (or anywhere in writing), especially not without paying the utmost respect towards the person who is being criticised: "censure, reproval, condemnation, denunciation, disapproval, disparagement, opprobrium, captiousness, fault-finding, carping, cavilling; chastisement, castigation, upbraiding, berating, abuse, vituperation, scolding, chiding; reproofs, remonstrances, broadsides, strictures, admonishments, recriminations, aspersions, slurs, smears; nitpicking, knocking, panning, slamming, flak, a bad press, brickbats, knocks, raps, bad notices; stick, verbal, slagging off, slating; contumely; animadversion, objurgation, excoriation, reprobation, arraignment." > Oxford Thesaurus of English If your criticism does not objectively analyse the artwork itself, or is too brief to present a logical argument, it's not proper criticism. -- Examples: -- This sucks. - negative opinion I don't like it. - negative opinion I reckon you should quit while you're ahead. - discouraging remark Awesome! - positive opinion Blows my mind! - positive opinion You should make it a full cast. - encouraging suggestion ---- WIP: Still working on the rest… Never to be completed due to overwhelmingly positive feedback... >.<'