i appreciate your good intent..i will certainly try and contribute my worth as a well wisher of Neopoet by critiquing the works of fellow members through appreciations as well as by offering suggestions / alternatives with an intent of giving them more perspectives for bringing about improvements by giving them an opportunity to understand different perecptions of their writes...

many members have said that they don't feel that they have the neccessary skills or education or experience to give a good critical review of someone else's poem.

Well, guess what?

<<looks around, and whispers...>>Neither do I.

I have practise, instead.

Everyone is naturally a critic.

"This tastes horrible"
"I loved that movie!"
"This store is way too expensive."
"I hate this feeling."
"I like walking in the rain."

Sound familiar?
With poetry, you just need to be a bit more detailed, and thoughtful, in your answers.

Here's a guidline:

1. Always say "in my opinion" (imo), especially when critiquing the poem of an author that you have never spoken to before.

2, Never critique the content of a poem, just the poem itself. Is the poem very religious? Does it support a political view that you find offensive? Is the poem on a subject you don't like? Don't bring your personal feelings into it, just tell the author about what you find wrong (or good) with the poem itself.

3. Start by saying something good about the poem you want to critique, even if it is just "Hey you, I like this poem", or "This is a good one".

Now of course you'll find some poems that simply cannot be praised in any way, shape or form. With these, you need to be polite, but firm in your conviction. DON'T ignore the poem because it is bad. Particulary if it's written by someone that you know can do a better job. If you ignore it, it won't get better.

"I'm sorry, but you can do better than this." or "This would improve a great deal if you would..." these statements work fine; polite and matter-of-fact.

But, whenever possible, find something good to say!

4. Don't be afraid to speak your mind. It doesn't matter if you have no formal training.

Guess what? <<looks around and whispers>> neither do I.

Don't be insulting towards the author, but make your position on the merits or failings of the poem clear, and make it simple.

5. How does the poem "flow". Does the poem stop and start, are there lines that

you

get past
cannot (like these)

in the poem without hesitating, or stumbling, because the meter or rhyme suddenly aren't there, the pacing is different, or the grammer or syntax don't make sense? Tell the author of your problem with that. Let them know why you feel the way you do about that particular line.

6. Don't be scared. Many of us start out thinking that authors will be offended by our opinions about their poems, and so we don't critique.
Some will be offended, that cannot be avoided.
If they are and they say so, simply reply that you are sorry that they feel that way, and move on. It's like selling something by telephone: the salesman never takes rejection personally, he just goes on to the next call, knowing that somewhere ahead is a sale. But when you do find someone who is grateful for your comments, and changes their poem in an effort to make it better, its very satisfying. Remember too that this is a workshop, a place for poets to improve their skills. You'll find those that do want to get better, all you have to do is try.

7. Start with criticising the poem of someone that you know, or someone that you know will not be offended. All you have to do is read the comments of others, to know who these people are. But don't fall into the rut of ONLY critiquing those you know won't be offended. Give everyone the benefit of the doubt, and assume that they WANT help until they prove otherwise.

8. PRACTISE PRACTISE PRACTISE. Critiquing is like any other form of written expression: if you don't do it, you won't get better. It really is as simple as that.

So, are you ready to start giving criticism?

Respectfully,

Jim

"Laws and Rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" -Race9togo

.

as she moves across the room and hides behind the couch to avoid getting smacked in the head with a bottle.

Who the HELL is throwing bottles?
<<takes a swig>>
Pretty good, though.
:)

For those who are just starting to give advice to others, don't think you have to critique the entire poem every time.Just give an opinion or suggestion on a line or two that could use improvement. Sometimes even a little nudge is a lot of help.Good blog Jess.......................scribbler

"Imagine Shakespeare, Coleridge, Ginsberg, Bukowski and Basho all together in a wine bar when they are just beginning! That is the potential we have here!

Let's revel in this unique multicultural online interactive environment where a wine bottle smashed over your head doesn't cause concussion!"

brilliant words for writing and critiquing poetry on the innnovative poetry platform.
May not cause a concussion but may cause migranes lol

((hugs))

Get in there we shout in Scotland when we score a goal, i say this is an apt time for usage. Regards Roscoe...

here I am again. You know, there IS a place and worth in those who never offer criticism but are effusive with sincere praise. If a beginning or insecure poet receives only criticism it could well quelch the beginning of what could become a very good poet, so let's not belittle those who only encourage any more than we do those who only criticize................scribble

Let us remember that Stan has an opinion just as much as you do and anyone else in this site. There is no need to get viral about it. Every one can not be like you Jess so please do not compare everyones writes or critiques to the likings of your own. Just to point out that was a bit harsh on Stan. Come on you can do better than that. Remember the agree to disagree.. This is your blog. You ask for feedback. Then by all means accept whatever it is that the community feels or wants to write with all due respect to this subject matter... Just as you wish to recieve the same, the same in return be done to others. I am not picking a fight I am merely calling you out on this comment...

No need to thrash words out because you do not agree with what anyone else has to say.
Just a thought for you if you will

Mona

You are right, My question is does anyone have "credentuals" as a critic, then let them present them. I am no critic, i read a poem and what I understand of the wrrite is what leads
to my comment. i just try to be honest. Yes many times I miss the point of the poem, but I do learn from that also.
We are here to learn, at lease I speak for myself. I am willing to try everything the site has to offer, in some I'll do good and in others I won't, but the answer for me. This is a workshop and I came here to learn and impart what I know of writting.
that's my opinion

street cred was to throw potential manuscripts he was handed by young poets into the trash lol so I am sure no matter how unqualified we feel we are, we all know what we like to read and see in a poem it's that and our language and style that can be used to critique other's. We won't like everyone, that's impossible, I hate Plath and Dickinson yet I would not just distress anyone by denouncing that their work is no good because it reminds me of that type. I think all of us no matter how amateur we are all know what we read and what we like and if we can critique with courtesy then if the poet wants to take some of the suggestions so be it but in the 'poet's' defense..it is their poem and it's not an order that they change a thing.