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Honest critique...

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Honest critique doesn't have to be brutal! Choosing your words carefully and giving constructive critique is work! I understand that. Sometimes we forget that this is a poetry workshop site. Please
make it your business to give good critique, do not undervalue the worth of a little hard work in giving advice to your fellow poets. It seems that we have the same problem over and over again. That is in giving honest, careful critique. There is a good deal of satisfaction in helping a fellow poet with more than typos and giving a writer a boost to their ego. Yes, we all are here to garner some praise for our efforts; anyone who says different is deceiving themselves! There are some of us here that feel that we are not qualified to give critique to those whose work seems perfect and where we don't feel we know enough to qualify to give good advice. Give those "perfect" poets a pat on the back and go to a work where you know that they will benefit from your experience or maybe point them in the right direction to someone who can properly evaluate what they have written.

the prawn sat on limpid lettuce
nothing could be duller
light grey, it;s legs were all askew
all whiff but not much colour

mother called it 'turd on a plate'
as though some fancy name
'use it for bait' she would say
of course, I was to blame

Where you post your work, this is where we come to discuss things.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

author comment

I love the humor that this piece gives, it's perfect for a mundane subject like a prawn. It reminds me of Shel Silverstein.

"There are some of us here that feel that we are not qualified to give critique to those whose work seems perfect and where we don't feel we know enough to qualify to give good advice."

Everyone who reads a poem is qualified to critique it. It doesn't matter what you know about poets or poetry what matters is what you felt when you read it. The poet really wants to know. If there was something about it that 'didn't feel right', just say so, if you can explain it, fine, if not, well let the poet figure it out!

It is more important to us to know what doesn't work than what does.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

For some reason most people think all critique must be negative in nature. But this is not correct. If you read something you really like sit back a bit and try to figure out Why you liked it. Then relay why to the writer. Critique has as much to do with learning what works as it does with what doesn't

The negative connotations that the word critique gives off, is something that we as poets and readers must try to get past. I guess that most of us that give "comments" are trying not to sound negative.
I think that you bring a very valid point and we should always be prepared to give reasons we "like" a poem when we feel that it has moved us in some way.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

author comment

but really all we ask is honest feedback on what you felt and thought reading the poems.

cheers,
Jess
A new workshop on the most important element of poetry-
'Rhythm and Meter in Poetry'
https://www.neopoet.com/workshop/rhythm-and-meter-poetry

for bringing this back to the light! I have said over and over again, the reason that we write is to get a reaction from the reader.
Anyone that says otherwise is simply fooling themselves. When you just pay lip-service to the writer, you are not doing them or yourselves any favors. Sometimes, we forget that as readers of another's work, we have an obligation to help them! The way you and I can help them is to let them know, what we feel when we read their work. Jess [Weird Elf] made a very valid point; emotional responses are the best indicators of how well the writer did their job. So, if you can't be technical in your criticism of the piece, if you can't let them know specifically the things you think may help the writer, at least give an emotional response. Not everyone will thank you, not everyone will care enough to give you a reply, but it is the honest thing to do. ~ Geez.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

author comment

My name is pressley I've been around off and on this site for years. I've made so many friends some of them I would consider my family. So my point is although I can rhythm and write but my punctuation and spelling always scared me when it came to being critique by the community. So you know what I said. what the heck they know what I meant to say

like I am being ridiculed, when I'm corrected about spelling or punctuation. If I am doing it wrong, tell me! How does one know
if they are doing something wrong, if you don't tell them? Not a big deal, I would rather be told that I am not spelling something right or placing my punctuation incorrectly, so that I know that I am wrong. I don't get offended; I fix it and try not to make the same mistake again. If I do, tell me again. Eventually, I will learn the right way. Thank you pressley, for your comments. ~ Geez.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

author comment

with Geezer. Although I hope to clearly convey true emotion in my poetry, I am assuming that the reader will also let me know when something is misspelled or not punctuated correctly. I may be embarrassed a bit, but not offended. Those visible errors may be distractions keeping the reader from receiving the deeper meaning in the poem. That would be a bummer. I find critiquing much harder than writing, and I think I've learned just as much about poetry from reading and commenting as I have from actually writing.
Thank you,
L

Your comment about learning as much from reading and commenting on poetry as you have from writing it is so important. All kinds of writers can benefit from reading more of their chosen writing form.

Literacy expert Pam Allyn reminds us that "reading is like breathing in; writing is like breathing out" and that's what Neopoet is supposed to be all about! She comes from a childhood literacy perspective, but it applies throughout our lives. Reading and writing are cycles that improve each other.

I hope others who may be hesitant about commenting on Neopoet - or who don't read much while they are here - will see your message and take it to heart. Thank you.

Pam Allyn: https://www.litworld.org/blog/2014/6/27/how-to-use-reading-to-inspire-wr...

Kelsey

Critique, don't comment.

Community guidelines: https://www.neopoet.com/community-guidelines

To see our learning resources, click the "Curated Resources" link under the Resources tab in the top menu bar.

"Reading is like breathing in; writing is like breathing out." What a lovely quote - simple and straightforward, and honest in its meaning. I'll remember it going forward. And thank you for sharing the article. Five inspiring reasons to read.
L

you are so right. what you have written here should be listed under "Tools" and be required reading. when a new member joins; this should be part of their greeting. or maybe make it part of logging in, as an oldster like myself can also use refreshing and reminding.

*hugs, Cat

*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.

I have added it to the curated resources!

Kelsey

Critique, don't comment.

Community guidelines: https://www.neopoet.com/community-guidelines

To see our learning resources, click the "Curated Resources" link under the Resources tab in the top menu bar.

I feel that poets here should submit and have an open ear. I think everyone wants everyone to win. Meaning their work to thrive and be read. I comment as if I am doing a read through with the poet. I try to highlight the lines or theme that made their words unique and stand out for me. I also gently give my 1 1/2 cents about what did not work for me as a reader.

I think a good ideal to generate more ppl to comment is to gamify it a bit. Most comments in a week or month. Or the poet to rank the value or sincerity of the comment as a thank you. Sometimes ppl can get offended and just like the ai review there should be a sensitivity marker the poet can respectfully use too. Such as if they shared about a medical condition, suicide, death, of a family member, or eating disorder etc they can opt out

has been talked about, I shall bring it up again, and we shall see where it might go. I think that you have some valid points.
~ Geezer.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

author comment
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