Contructive criticism wanted.

United States
September 9, 2008 7:48am CST
I'm looking to improve some of my articles on Helium, but I need help with what I can do to make them better. I would really appreciate any constructive criticism I can get on this article. I wrote it a long time ago, when I was just starting writing online, and now I want to try to make it better. Any and all comments are appreciated. http://www.helium.com/items/292890-are-barbie-dolls-appropriate-for-young-girls Thanks so much.
2 responses
@LouRhi (1502)
• Australia
9 Sep 08
Hi SC! Hope all has been well with you. I had a look at the article. I felt that you didn't really answer the question. I could get the gist of what you were trying to say but I think perhaps you can find a clearer way to put it across. Maybe you could start along the lines of Barbie has been a part of little girls lives for over 50 years. In that time this blonde bombshell has causes a stir in more than just the toy shop. Thanks to the over political correctness of society Barbie has been accused of encouraging an unhealthy self imagine for children. I think also that it needs to be lengthed somewhat, which will not be to difficult as you make some great points which could easily be expanded upon. Anyway that is just my two cents worth, hope there is something of use in there but as always take it with a grain of salt. Let me know when you have a fresh version I would love to have a read.
• United States
9 Sep 08
Hi, LouRhi!! Haven't seen you around in a while. I was hoping to get your input, I always value your comments. Rereading the article now I see your point- I kind of skate around and hint, but I don't come out and state my stance. This was an article that I wrote quickly and haven't looked at it again in months. I will take your comments under advisement and I'm sure I can improve this. Thanks so much. I'll let you know when I get the revision done.
@LouRhi (1502)
• Australia
9 Sep 08
Yes there is certainly lots of potential, and having read some of your later work it is interesting to see how you started. I can see your growth as a writer and it is great. Life has been rather lazy of late. I have not been doing much writing, still searching for some motivation (which seems to be the story of my life!) I must say though that this article nearly got the juices going :) take car my friend and good luck with the rewrite
@monkeysay (228)
• Singapore
9 Sep 08
Now I'm not a good writer by any means, but I will still like to be the first to reply to this discussion. I've taken a look at the article, and I found it quite well-written. Your points were clear, explicit and well explained. I have a suggestion though and that is you can include a description of a barbie doll at the introduction. If described well, it can even be a sort of "hook" for the reader to continue reading on. Also, you may add the point that one typical criticism of the Barbie doll is that she promotes an unrealistic idea of body image for women, given Barbie's height and vital statistics. This can possibly cause women who emulate Barbie to become anorexic. This is all I can think of at the tip of my fingertips, let me know if this helps.
• United States
9 Sep 08
Thank you. I did have a problem when I started writing- at the time I wrote this article- with weak introductions. I have since gotten better. I will definitely give your suggestion a try. It seems it could be a good one. Describe for readers what is being criticized first, then go into the meat of it. T