Suggestions for Critiquing Poems

[Hannah]

INITIAL GUIDELINES - AND ONE RULE - FOR GIVING FEEDBACK ON POETRY
The first thing is, this forum is meant to be supportive, friendly and constructive. So, keep your critiquing on a respectful level. This doesn’t mean you say everything is wonderful, unless you truly believe it. There is no benefit to anyone if poetry which needs work is claimed to be perfect. What is perfect anyway? Poetry is one of, if not ‘the’ most subjective writing forms. So, where one reader might truly love a poem, another reader might truly loathe it. Either interpretation is fine. It’s the way you express it that matters. We (admin) would much rather give good karma than bad!
The Only Rule:  Always critique other member’s work respectfully -  as you would want your own work critiqued.  (If this rule is not adhered to, your post will be removed.)
Now, finally, here’s a relatively short and very generalised list of guidelines:
1.   Read the poem through several times, preferably aloud.
2.   Feel the poem. Explore your response to the poem. It’s okay not to like it, or even to hate it. When/if you tell the poet, though, you need to say why – if possible.
3.   Do the words and tone suit what the poem is saying? Are harsh words being used to describe something soft? Be careful here though, the poet might be making an ironic statement. This is where you might need to ‘read’ deeper. But, it will be obvious if a word or two is used which does not match the tone or other words.
4.   Is the poem consistent or does it jump around in point of view or meaning?
5.   Does the title match the content?
6.   Are the metaphors, similes, imagery or allusions understandable? If not, does it matter? After all, they might  work in keeping with the tone and mood of the poem, and might be appealing on another level. You can like a poem without understanding it. But look for the elements that make it work or not work (for you) when you give your feedback.
7.   Is there a universal theme to the poem? Does it appeal to ‘humanity’ regardless of how the theme is portrayed? A poem about Modernity might still aptly apply to the interior life of someone from the past.
8.   Do you think words, lines or stanzas might work better in a different order? Why? Perhaps the story, chronology, flow or dramatic impact will be stronger.
9.   Do you think the poem would work with a different point of view, with or without personification, or with a different tense?
10.   Does the punctuation, or lack thereof, alter the way you read, interpret or feel about the poem?
11.   Are any of the words the wrong word or spelling?
12.   Are there too many small words or conjunctions interrupting the flow and/or weakening the tone of the poem?
13.   Any other comments you have are also welcome. Remember, this is only a guide.
14.   Don’t forget to say what you DO like as well as what you don’t like! Every writer needs and should get encouragement.
 
And remember, as well as Respect (rule 1), always think in terms of critiquing, not criticizing.

[Bonnie]

Hannah, thanks for the Guidelines, I decided to use them on my own poems first before I inflict them on other people. The ones I can't fix or don't like don't see the light of day anyway.
I have a horror of hurting anyone's feelings or saying something really stupid, so if I don't say anything it's because I don't know or don't have anything to say.
And posting my work whether it's poems or writing is extremely scary for me, frankly it scares the daylights out of me and I'm so shaky typing them if it weren't for spell check it would be a disaster and even then I check things over at least ten times before I push post.
This, the guidelines, make it easier and less nerve wracking for me to participate here. I guess I'm one of those people who have trouble trusting their own wings.
Thanks again.
Bonnie

[Hannah]

G'day Bonnie
It's a good idea to apply these guidelines to your own poems as well. It can be hard to step back from our own work, to see what is there that shouldn't be or vice a versa. Usually, the more untouched and perfect a piece of work looks, ie seamless    the more work it's actually had. But without a 'somewhat' objective method, it's hard to do, and can look 'handled'. It's like any skill though, you need some guidelines and then lots of practice.
As for looking stupid, well, there is no stupid poetry, just inexperienced or unskilled poets. Well, of course there are stupid poems but not if they are genuine efforts at poetic expression. I wouldn't worry about your poems, woman. It's where you do your tightest writing.
And when it comes to critiquing others, well there is no real right or wrong, except in attitude, and we won't be allowing a negative attitude in this forum, so just be genuine in what you say and why. Your opinion and thoughts are as valid as anyone else's.
Hannah

[greyday8]

Thanks for the tips Hannah I feel more confident after reading how to critique a work.I will also apply it to my own and go back and re read it if I become lost which will happen.Heres a +1 karma for helping me out .Gray

[nia]

Dear Hannah,

These are really so nice and so right, You made a beautiful creative writing place, I am so glad to be in here, You are doing best, Thank you, (only,  sorry I can't get to used to give my karma points sometimes and again I forgot to give you today, I hope there are some, I'll try to learn it... it is so new for me.)

with my love,
Nia

[Hannah]

Thank you, Nia. I'm glad you are enjoying the site and finding it friendly. That is definitely what we wanted to create, so your comments are appreciated. As for adding karma, you'll see on the left side of a person's post, where they're name and other information is, there is the word karma with good and bad underneath. Click on good and it will automatically add positive karma to that person's tally. You can't do it from you're own post so if you want to give it to someone, you have to go back to their post and do it. I hope this helps. Let me know if you are still unsure.
Hannah

[Hannah]

Thanks for the  karma, Gray. Much appreciated and very glad the guidelines are giving folk a little more confidence in giving feedback, and it's an added bonus that they seem to be helping with self editing. I'm pleased about that.
Hannah

[nia]

Thank you Hannah, I think I learned now and no problem for me now,

          

can I give all my  karma to YOU,   

with my  ,
nia

[Hannah]

That's terrific, Nia. These are fairly generalised guidelines, but it always helps to have some tools to use, and by using the same or similar tools, we should all be able to understand what each other is saying, meaning or referring to.
Thank you for the  and the   
Hannah

[nia]

yes Hannah I clearly understand you what you mean... and you can guess me, I really try to be so careful especially about my language, so I hope I never make anyone hurt, but yes sometimes I can misunderstand but mostly people realize this and help me, so every step a new lesson for me.... yihuuu 

thank you Hannah, I can breath the air of Sdyney this morning...

with my love,
nia