Writing well means writing with the reader in mind, and structuring your content to suit them – not necessarily you. The best way to find out whether you are meeting the needs of your potential reader is to ask for their feedback. This can be through informal or formal review processes.
First, do not waste the reviewers time. Send your best effort. This allows the reviewer to focus on your content rather than be distracted by errors. This will also make the reviewer more inclined to provide feedback again in the future.
Second, specify what is required and when. What do you want feedback on (macro, micro)? When do you need feedback by (busy people are more likely to deliver if you give them a realistic deadline)? What format do you want feedback in? Will you tell them how you have addressed the feedback? Do you need to organise a follow up conversation?
You may also want to ask for different types of feedback from different people based on their knowledge and experience. Different people may have experience with the publication, with the content matter, with the theory or content, or with your audience. You may want to ask someone’s opinion who has no knowledge of the content – their perspective will be very different.
While some feedback may be more constructive than others, and some feedback may be more specific and much clearer than others, consider each piece of feedback as a gift and address each point in turn – even if it is just a red flag that something needs to be changed.
Admittedly, easier said than done.
Truro Consulting 