Incorporating Feedback Portfolio A professional author usually asks several people to read and evaluate a manuscript before it is ready for publication. Each reader offers the author feedback, designed to improve the work. Readers may be friends or family members. They may be literary agents or editors at a publishing house. The process of reading, evaluating, and revising helps improve the communication between writer and reader. Ultimately, it produces a work that matches the original purpose and audience. A narrative usually has a primary purpose, of entertaining the reader. In addition, a narrative may teach a lesson. Narratives such as historical fiction inform as well as entertain and instruct. Whatever your purpose might be, if your reader is not entertained, instructed, or informed, you have not done the job you set out to do. For your narrative to succeed in its purpose, you must communicate clearly with your audience, the reader. This means you should create interesting characters, describe your setting in detail, and develop a logical plot. As you read over your finished draft, ask yourself how well it suits your purpose and audience. Ask for feedback if you wish. You may need to make some final revisions to ensure your narrative succeeds in its purpose. Here are some questions to consider. Purpose Does my narrative fulfill my purpose? Will it entertain my reader? Are my characters interesting? Is my plot comprehensible and logical? If my story teaches a lesson, is

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that lesson effectively communicated?

Audience Have I consider the needs and interests of my audience? Will they find the story engaging and relevant? Have I used language and style appropriate to my audience?

Feedback Incorporating feedback from readers is essential to improving your narrative. Consider the suggestions and criticisms offered by others and determine which changes will enhance your work. Be open to constructive feedback and willing to make necessary revisions.

Revisions Make any final revisions needed to strengthen your narrative. This may include tightening up the plot, developing characters further, or enhancing descriptive details. Keep your purpose and audience in mind as you make these revisions.

By thoroughly considering these questions and incorporating feedback, you can ensure that your narrative effectively communicates with and engages your audience. This will ultimately lead to a stronger, more successful piece of writing.