Here's a game that should also teach.  

We've all given or fell victim to bad criticism.   Sometimes, it would be nice to get helpful comments rather than ones that make us feel like shit.  

Perhaps, at times, we can't find the right words to express our discontent in a positive way.  This game will provide us all with the reference we need to overcome that obstacle (Either that or the thread will dissolve into childish bickering).  

Simply provide a bad criticism and then provide the good criticism translation (it's harder than it sounds).   You can do as many as you like.  You can even reinterpret a previous bad criticism because you might disagree on someones approach.  I'll go first to show you how.

Bad:  Your script sucks.
Good:  It seems like you might be fairly new to screenwriting.  I suggest you take a look at some scripts on this site, something by (author), and then approach a rewrite.

Bad: You're a terrible writer.      
Good:  Your writing style isn't my cup of tea. I prefer something like (author). You might want to check one of his/her scripts out.
          

Good points, Michael.  I've been on here about a month or so, and when I've offered criticism of a script that isn't particularly well-written, what I'll typically do is point out some of the errors in formatting and grammar on the first page or two, then suggest they go back and edit extensively, then re-submit the script for a follow-up review.  I have even told a couple of them to PM me if they want me to get more in-depth with the critique.  I also do as you suggest and have them take a look around for other scripts, particularly ones that have been well-reviewed, or to read professional scripts.

While it's pretty obvious on some scripts posted on here that the writer is either pretty raw or just lazy (or both), there's a way to point out their mistakes without destroying any desire for them to continue the writing process.   Now if they keep posting things on here and keep making the same mistakes, even after we made suggestions to them to consider doing A, B & C, then what I will likely do is just ignore any script from that writer in the future and not waste the energy reading something they've written.

@hawkeye Care to provide us with a specific example of Bad with a translation to what you think is Good?

Bad: (something I've seen in a script thread that really pissed me off)
Good: (how I would have approached it)

Bad:  I'm going to gouge out my eyeballs with a rusted speculum to keep from reading anymore of this literary offal.
Good:  Your script sucks.

Wait...I may be missing the point of this exercise.

Jordan

Bad:  There's a typo in your logline.  If you are so unprofessional to leave this here, you have no chance of getting me or anyone else to read your fucked up script.

Good:  DON'T LEAVE A FRIGGIN' COMMENT!!!

I don't leave comments in 20-30% of the scripts I start reading (emphasis on the word start).  Either five or ten people have previously left the same criticism I would've left, or I don't get far enough to leave a comment.


Phil

Whoops, sorry Michael--forgot to leave my examples!

Good:  The writing needs a little work, particularly on the grammar--take some time to edit this and then re-post and we'll give it another look.

Bad:  You write like a third grader.  Actually a third grader probably has a better grasp of grammar than you do.

BAD: I would rather light my child on fire and launch him with a pumpkin cannon into a pile of broken glass shards then finish this logline.

Good: Your logline could use a little sprucing.

Shawn.....><

BAD When there's a typo in your logline, I know exactly what's to follow and for that reason alone, I didn't even open up the script.

BAD Wow Jeff, why are you such a douche all the time?

BAD Curt, is there something you disagree with in my comments here?  Do you think it's cool to have typos and mistakes in loglines?

BAD Jeff, you shouldn't criticize scripts when you don't even open the file.

BAD Get a clue, dumba**.  

GOOD Your script is lovely, and I'm happy, and I like smiling.

Bad: My script sucks

Good : My script sucks



Mark

Quoted from Gary in Houston Good points, Michael.  I've been on here about a month or so, and when I've offered criticism of a script that isn't particularly well-written, what I'll typically do is point out some of the errors in formatting and grammar on the first page or two, then suggest they go back and edit extensively, then re-submit the script for a follow-up review.  I have even told a couple of them to PM me if they want me to get more in-depth with the critique.  I also do as you suggest and have them take a look around for other scripts, particularly ones that have been well-reviewed, or to read professional scripts. While it's pretty obvious on some scripts posted on here that the writer is either pretty raw or just lazy (or both), there's a way to point out their mistakes without destroying any desire for them to continue the writing process.   Now if they keep posting things on here and keep making the same mistakes, even after we made suggestions to them to consider doing A, B & C, then what I will likely do is just ignore any script from that writer in the future and not waste the energy reading something they've written.

Hey Hawkeye - in total agreement here.  (Yes, I know I just quoted your entire post, but it deserved repeating!)

My style: If something is so GAWD AWFUL STINKY TERRIBLE that I can't read it, I just put it down and walk away....  quietly.  Because if it's THAT bad, no amount of criticism is probably going to help.  The person just ain't cut out for the writing biz.

But if there are honest good and bad things about the script....  I'll comment on the good stuff, and politely point out the rest.  Things like "you should do slugs such and such a way." Or - I found my mind wandering at Point X.  I think you should punch up such and so.

This, I do for a number of reasons:

1) I (generally) respect people and don't want to crush their soul arbitrarily (On purpose, sure - but only if they've got it coming)    

2) Assuming the person's genuinely interested in improving their craft, they're *way* more likely to listen to sweetly framed comments rather than a general bashing. And if they don't listen at all?  Well, then I'm done wasting my time with them....

Granted, anyone in the writing craft better grow a thick skin.  But you gotta grow that sucker over time...!  

Bad: Your script was whispered during prayer last week at a nunnery and it resulted in violent chaos amongst God’s elder servants.

Good: First draft? I see potential…but there are bumps…

Shawn…..><

I like the idea, Michael.

Bad:  Your main character sucks. I hate him/her.
Good:  I find it difficult to identify with your protagonist because s/he makes the following choices: blah blah and blah. I don't believe that s/he didn't see a better way to deal with those problems, so I don't really like him/her.

Bad: Your first act sucks. I'm bored and giving up.
Good:  I think you're suffering from pacing problems. As it is, there's nothing to keep me reading, so I'm stopping. Here's what it would take to keep me engaged in this story: blah blah and blah. Here's what I think is unnecessary and therefore dull in the first act: blah blah and blah.

Bad: Your formatting sucks, so I'm not going to read it since the rest probably sucks too.
Good: Your script isn't in standard screenwriting format, which makes it difficult to read. You should know that if it stays in this format, many people, including myself, won't bother to read it at all. If you repost in standard format I'll probably be happy to take a look!

Bad: Your dialogue sucks. It sounds completely fake.
Good: Some of the dialogue didn't sound very believable to me. Here are some examples of lines: blah blah and blah. These lines didn't sit well with me because: blah blah and blah.

Quoted from Grandma Bear BAD: Your script was so bad and offensive that I will leave Simply Scripts and never come back. Sincerely, Simon. GOOD: Your script has inspired me to take a leave from Simply Script and actually get a life. Thank you!

Haha, this is funny. Did it happen in real life? Man...

Quoted from khamanna ... Did it happen in real life? Man...

Not in real life it didn't.

Quoted from Grandma Bear That's what happens when you assume that just because someone is an old woman, they only write nice lovey dovey dramas.

I don't know if I'd say you're old . . . just senile