We will be judging each other's work. Let's try to work together so that we all have the same ideas in mind:

1. Is the information presented in the most simple manner?
   1. Will everybody be able to understand the information?
   2. Were the points presented concisely and effectively?
2. Did the writer think about the audience?
   1. That audience should have been clearly defined. One-size-fits-all doesn't work in writing.
   2. Does the manuscript help people relate to the topic even if it is new to them?
3. Sentence structure
   1. What writing style does the author use?
   2. Short sentences are easier to read
      1. They sometimes give a choppy feeling
      2. They are not always appropriate
   3. Conversational styles are good for "schmoozy" articles.
      1. They are often very interesting.
      2. They may be too informal for the topic.
   4. Informal styles
      1. They use pronouns -- You, I, We, They.
      2. They sometimes use more simple words.
      3. They lower the register of the article. That is good, if it fits in with that article.
4. Does the article get to the point?
   1. Sometimes it's important to grab the reader's attention.
   2. Other times it might sound too much like a sales pitch.
5. Is it concise?
   1. Is it too concise?
   2. Is the writing too chatty?
   3. Does it show that it went through many rewrites?
   4. Were redundancies or unnecessary words removed?
   5. Is it written in the active voice?
   6. Is the tone appropriate to the writer's audience?
6. Gender-based language.
   1. Granted, it's not acceptable among those who want to be politically correct.
   2. In Jewish literature, it is not necessarily taboo.
   3. You may relate to the issue, but it's much less important than manuscripts submitted to your local newspaper.
   4. Too many examples of "he or she" can be annoying.
7. Does the material flow properly and smoothly?
   1. Read it out loud.
   2. See if it reads through smoothly.
   3. See if it has good transition words or phrases.
8. Is the writer sincere?
   1. Does the writer seem to show that she cares about the topic?
   2. Does the writer show that she is an expert in the topic?
   3. Does the writer do so without giving the impression of being overly pompous?

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