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Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Jan 16 05, 09:34

Critiquing Tips

Our strength at Mosaic Musings lies in our ability to offer and receive constructive feedback (positive and negative) from our peers. Our purpose in this forum is to provide a setting where each of us can point out the strengths and weaknesses of a piece and to offer suggestions on improving the piece in a manner that is constructive and beneficial to all who post and read here at the Mosaic.

When giving a critique:

• Be honest and courteous.
• Always look for the positive(s) and offer feedback.
• Be constructive. Do not only point out what you find wrong in the piece, offer suggestions on how to improve it. There's a big difference between "I don't get it - what's your point?" and "I do not understand the relationship between the birds and the cars, can you please elaborate for me?"
• Be diplomatic, critiquing is subjective and may hold different interpretations for different readers.
• Try not to belabor a point.
• When in doubt, ask for clarification. You may not be the only one who does not understand something within the piece.
• Critique as you'd like to be critiqued. Avoid personal antagonistic remarks, focus on the piece, not the writer and keep the goal of improvement in mind.

When receiving a critique:

• Take any opinion as a 'suggestion'. Remember, everyone has an opinion. They may differ from your own and that's OK.
• Feel free to take what you will and disregard the rest.
• If you find more than two offering the same suggestion(s), take it into serious consideration (for a revision).
• Listen - and incorporate those ideas that do not differ from your original message/intention, that will improve your piece.
• Do not take ANY critique personally. Criticisms of your work are not criticisms of you as a person.
• If you disagree with a suggestion (and have supporting reasons), explain your rationale to the critiquer, but do not feel you must defend your work.
• If a critiquer's comments surprise you, explain what you intended and ask how you could have avoided triggering his or her reaction.
• Just because two or more people think your poem should be changed in a way that you, the author, disagree with, you are NOT UNDER OBLIGATION TO CHANGE YOUR POEM.  
• Please, be courteous to the critiquers as they've given of their valuable time for the sake of your poem.  Ultimately, it is YOUR poem ... you don't have to change anything.  However, if you have no desire to change anything, you may prefer to post in a non-critiquing forum.

NEW ADDITION: http://www.poetrymagic.co.uk/critiquing.html

A GREAT RESOURCE FOR CRITIQUING TIPS!

Posted by: Cleo_Serapis Jul 9 06, 11:22

A few more thoughts on critiquing...

What is the MESSAGE of the work?
Has the writer adequately conveyed his/her message within the content of the work? Does this message have the same meaning to the reader as it does to the writer? Words on a page can be very striking and pretty, but do they make sense? Are they the 'right' words to use to convey the intended message?

Had I lived a thousand lives
I'd have touched only one;
that one, the only: you.

OK, this example I just created tells us of a longing - a love - perhaps a lost love, a reflection of love? Is this message clear? Does it make sense to you, the reader? NO - we need more information. Is 'touch' the right word to compliment 'live'?


What is the IMAGE of the work?
Does the work set a mental picture in the reader's mind? Does the imagery presented reinforce and compliment the message of the work?

The twinkling of beguiling stars,
like planets encircling Mars
gave way proudly
as Rome's charioteers
rode on...
in the morning mist.

I just made this up as an example, but clearly, my image is confusing and not in conformity to my message. In fact, what is my message?

It is night - stars are out surrounding Mars, why are they 'beguiling'? Why do they give way to 'charioteers' in the 'morning mist' in 'Rome'? I thought it was night and I was in space?


Is there a RHYTHM to the work?
Is there a pleasing flow to the work as you read it? Do the sounds of the words (if meter is employed) compliment each other from line to line, thought to thought ? Do the transitions impede the flow? Punctuation can play a part in the rhythm as well.

I had a dream. When I was younger
a river wound its way to a lake.
All sorts of creatures drank from it.
I woke up, wet from a dip.

Huh? OK...

When I was young I had a dream and in this dream there was a stream
that trickled down to Loakey's lake where dragonflies do like to take a dip or two.

What?
Ok, what about:
When I was young I had a dream
and in this dream there was a stream
that trickled down to Loakey's lake
where dragonflies do like to take
a dip or two.

I did entice a stroll just then
and headed down: once again...
to Loakey's Lake.


What about punctuation? Does it seem right?

Put all three requirements together and then you have a starting point for giving critiques.
The imagery supports and enhances the message by providing an emotional relationship.
The rhythm allows one to pause and reflect which enhances the message.
The message is clearly understood.

Hope these will be of benefit to you!
~Cleo