criticism
- To find fault with: criticized the decision as unrealistic..
- To judge the merits and faults of; analyze and evaluate.
critique
- A critical review or commentary, especially one dealing with works of art or literature.
- A critical discussion of a specified topic.
- The art of criticism.
The Difference between Critique and Criticism
- Criticism finds fault/Critique looks at structure
- Criticism looks for what's lacking/Critique finds what's working
- Criticism condemns what it doesn't understand/Critique asks for clarification
- Criticism is spoken with a cruel wit and sarcastic tongue/Critique's voice is kind, honest, and objective
- Criticism is negative/Critique is positive (even about what isn't working)
- Criticism is vague and general/Critique is concrete and specific
- Criticism has no sense of humor/Critique insists on laughter, too
- Criticism looks for flaws in the writer as well as the writing/Critique addresses only what is on the page
Taken from Writing Alone, Writing Together; A Guide for Writers and Writing Groups by Judy Reeves