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Not too long ago, a member of my Toastmasters club gave a speech on evaluating speeches.  At the end of the speech, he passed out handouts of what he'd covered.  Handouts are cool.  Remember that the next time you give a presentation.  But, I digress.  With a little word substitution, I've borrowed from his speech to give you the rules for effective writing critiquing. Thank you, Bruce.

1.  Give positive reinforcement

2. Help the writer stay motivated

3. Evaluate the writing - not the person

4. Nourish self esteem

5. Show the writer how to improve

6. Show that you care

7.  Suit your evaluation to the writer

8. Learn the writer's objectives

9. Personalize your critique

It's easy to forget we were not always experienced writers and there are tender writers just starting out who should not be treated roughly - as we might have been.  On the other hand, we don't need to sugarcoat bad writing, either.  Use the above guidelines to give an honest, constructive evaluation.   One of the responsibilities earned by our experience is to teach.  Do it in a good way.