Criticism

How do you deal with criticism? A few common examples are: being told that your writing needs help, that you have to do yet another revision, or that you are not going to be done this quarter, because the paper needs more work. There are a number of possible responses to such news. You can deny that there is a problem; you can argue with the critic; or you can pout and refuse to respond to them.  

A better solution is to take control and ask yourself what I can do to fix this? If writing help is suggested, listen to the comments and talk to the writing center. Form a plan of action. It may help to talk on the phone to the faculty member and talk through the issues that he or she is seeing in your paper (note, if it is the URR have a conference call that includes your chair).  

Criticism is always difficult, no one likes to be told bad news, and faculty do not like to give such news. However, both parties must keep the end goal in sight – to get you done. Think of it as doing whatever it takes. If it means working with an editor or rewriting that chapter one more time, do it. You do not need to feel embarrassed, it is not a failing of yours; it is simply one more step that must be taken on this long journey.  

Remember that you go into the dissertation process with an academic idea of what to do in order to complete a research project. The final dissertation is an applied proof of your research ability. Of course, you will not be great at everything -that is why you have faculty available to consult with you. It is why only experienced researchers are faculty mentors- this is a difficult process and everyone has problems along the way.  

Be tough, listen to the criticism and move on. Learn what you need to learn, after all someday you may also be a research mentor. You will need to be able to explain it!

Next time we will look at the introduction to your paper. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu