How To Critique Poetry

[Amour]

How To Critique Poetry

I've noticed that a lot of the poetry critiques lately have been bare, and a bit confused. That's fine, because it probably boils down to the fact some who critique poetry just don't know what to look for. Here is a checklist of sorts. If you're confused about a certain point, feel free to post questions here, or PM/VM me. I'm no expert, but I'll try and clarify.

Make sure you've studied the craft you're critiquing
If you're a prose writer, you know that if someone critiques a grammar mistake, or a spelling error, or places a semicolon or a dash somewhere, but does it incorrectly, it shows that they don't truly know the rules themselves. In fact, it's especially dissatisfying if it's the only type of mistake they're correcting. This is the same with poetry. If you don't know about enjambment, and metaphor, and simile, but you correct these things in a poem, it shows that you don't know the craft of poetry.

Before you critique poetry--before you write poetry, in fact--you should read it. You're here to improve, the whole site is structured around the concept of improving, and this is an incredible way to do that. Stephen King, in On writing says himself, "you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot."

It's an important step of the process. So if you want to critique, or write well, read poetry. Not what your teacher assigns you--though sometimes they'll have better suggestions if you go up and personally ask, showing your interest--not the poems posted here for critique, but actual poetry.

It might help to look at this thread (http://www.youngwritersonline.net/showthread.php?p=104718#post104718), if you have no clue of what type of poem appeals to your taste.

Don't focus your critique on punctuation/grammar
While surely helpful, this is tricky. You should read a poem a number of times aloud before you add commas anywhere. The lack of them might be a poetic device: enjambment. The only time you should correct these types of mistakes is if something reads (aloud, preferably) very awkwardly--point it out if it stands out, but not just because they're "rules" you know.

Speaking of rules, it is not a rule to capitalize every line in a poem. This is a traditional/classic way of writing poetry, and has dwindled down to a personal choice. Remember: punctuation/capitalisation can be a tool in poetry that directs your audience on how to read it. Capitalising every line can hinder this tool that would otherwise enhance your poem.

Look for comparisons: METAPHOR
A lot of poems will have connections. Sometimes, the entire poem may be a metaphor for something else. Be an active reader and look for connections. Sometimes you may encounter similes which will make them easy for you to spot, but other times they're hidden. I've found that for poems focused on nature, you can find metaphors in personification. Often, the sun-rays might be golden hair, lonely clouds a lonely person, and so on. As you read poetry, and look for these connections and metaphors, you will probably find general commonalities.

On the other hand, poets want to be original and have their readers see something in a new way. Sometimes you'll see something compared to something else, and both are totally different--in fact, it's a connection you may never have made on your own. Don't put question marks beside it, the -huh- face, or anything else: think on it. Don't quickly write that it doesn't make sense or that it's not possible until you've looked at it as a metaphor.

If it still confuses you, then feel free to comment that you don't get it. But be specific. Don't write it off as something that's incoherent and doesn't make sense, but tell the author why not, or which words really throw you off.

Look for rhythm
This is something that most poetry critiques do, so it's not as big of an issue. Pick out lines that really disjoint the fluidity of the poem, or words that sound convoluted.

Focus on rhyme, if there is any. How does the rhyme enhance the poem? How doesn't it enhance the poem? A good way to use rhyme is to make connections to the words. While some use it as merely a sound effect, or for typical beauty, other poets will use rhyme to draw attention to specific words.

If a rhyme sounds out of place, or if it looks like it's compromising the message of the poem, comment on that. If it's a poem about depression, and sorrow, but the rhymes sound like a children's limerick, comment on that--rhyme should make the poem more thoughtful, not less. It's a technique, not a standard format.

What do you picture? IMAGERY
Isis explains imagery so well here: here! (http://www.youngwritersonline.net/showthread.php?t=4225) I don't think many of the budding poets here have read this, and I really think it's such a good idea to.

Knowing how to use imagery will correlate very well on how to critique it.


Did the poem engage you?
This seems obvious, but lately I've been seeing a lot of critiques that say "this was a good poem" or "wow, this was great" or "good poem, could be better"

Why? Those comments should be private messaged, but a critique should be specific. Why was it good? Why did it stand out? Which lines were really striking; which weren't? What did the poem make you think of, why did it make you think these things?

Was it good because it was captivating? Did it relate to you, and did you find yourself reading it over and over, or having to sit back and linger on a comparison, or an image for a while? Or was it good merely because you can't think of anything to critique? It's always nice to know that your work was appreciated, but it's best to know why, and how much.




I hope this helps, and I'll add more to this as time goes on. I might PM you the link if I see a critique that can be improved, but not to be offensive, just informative.

And remember: READ poetry before you expect to drastically improve at it. :)

[Simmi]

Woot-ness! Thanks for this awesome guide. Very helpful, maybe more people will begin to critique poetry now.

[Bowie20049]

You has been stuck. :)

[MetallicGryffon]

Omg!!! That was the best guide on critiquing poetry ever.

[Weirdside]

I read it through a few times first. Then I look to see if it needs to be a poem. A lot of poems should actually be short stories or flash. Then I see if the content and form fit. This is more a feeling than a measurable thing. Then I go through and see if the rhymes consistent, see if every word needs to be there, etc.

[Peppermental]

Lulz needs to be a poem. Content doesn't define poetry, its an art-form that manifests in most major artistic movements throughout history. I fail to see a situation in which a poem shouldn't be a poem. There are times when a writer shouldn't be a poet, perhaps, but poetry can handle any subject.

[Valencian]

It was quite helpful since I don't know a poem when it's upside down