How to judge a contest
As a high school English teacher I constantly judge the works of others. I find that there are similarities and differences between grading assignments and judging AllPoetry contests.
There are three basic elements that define a good judge:
1) Clear and consistent requirements,
2) Helpful critiques, and
3) Open mindedness
1) I think the most important thing is a clear statement of the requirements of a contest. It can be as simple or as complex as needed, but it should contain any guidelines that will affect the final judgement. If the contest calls for a specific form, be it rhymed or unrhymed, then the specifics of that form should be given. If the judge is a stickler for grammar and punctuation (as I am) that should be mentioned also. The rules should be clear and easy to understand so that each poet has a chance of placing in the contest. If in doubt, err on the side of caution. It is better to put everything in writing than to assume that the entrant will automatically understand what is desired.
I feel that comments such as "Wow me" or "Amaze me" are vague and off-putting, but others such as "Show, don't tell" or "Good use of metaphor appreciated" give the entrant a feel for the judges' preferences. If the judge has a strong perference for rhyme or meter that should be mentioned too. It is a waste of everyone's time if a poet writes a poem with end rhyme when the judge clearly feels strongly about non-rhyming poems.
2) My critiques of student work are more detailed than that of poets on this site, but I feel it is fair to let the poet know what items may have prevented the poem from placing in the contest. If every poem receives fulsome praise or a generic, "This was great" then it is difficult to know why one poem wins and another does not. Taking the advice of a poet I respect, I start a critique with the positive aspects of the work, perhaps pointing out a line that is particularly memorable. Then I will suggest a way in which the poem could be stronger (grammar, forced rhyme, inconsistent meter, improper use of language). If the poem is good but not great I try not to raise the expectations of the author by giving the work too much acclaim. I think it is nice to thank the author for taking time to enter the contest.
3) It is only natural that a judge will have favorites whose works always seem to please. Even in a blind contest it is possible to discern the words of particular writers. As we all enter each other's contests, it is imperative to judge each poem on its individual merits and not on the body of work of the poet. Often it is necessary to avoid contests because the judge always favors a certain few poets whether or not their particular entry is exceptional. Each poem that meets the contest requirements should be read at least twice. When I have devised a short list of potential winners I will read the poems again before final judging.
I am not a fan of the "Preliminary Finalist" option until the contest is closed. I think it deters other entries and is disheartening to contestants to know that they no longer stand a chance of placing. I will read the entries, but I do not comment on them until the contest is closed.
I believe such things as points, HM's, pre-writes and number of entrants will vary with each contest and the personality of each judge.
I think pre-writes are acceptable under certain conditions. I dislike seeing a poem that has been entered in ten contests, but if a poem has a particular relevance to the contest at hand then I will accept it. Each judge must decide if they wish to receive only new poems or not.
I also find it helpful to limit the number of entrants. Some prompts or topics will generate more poems than others, but in the interest of giving each poem a thorough vetting I think a limit of 20 - 25 is helpful. I have found that judges who allow unlimited entries often are not able to give thoughtful and complete critiques to each poem.
I prefer each contest to award three places with HM's to be added if the number of entrants and the quality of the poems merit. HM's lose their meaning if every contestant receives one.
Judging contests is a big responsibility. They make this site more fun and allow poets to receive helpful critiques.
Add a comment
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
-
This is a well written column, Liz.
I have to agree on many points here.
While sometimes, as a judge, or as a co-judge, I may comment on some or all of the pieces before closing. That is usually in the sole case of giving honest feedback/and/or coaching someone, if I've been so asked by the author of the piece. To me it offers the constructive critique and encouragement to help them improve their piece or any of their work overall, prior to judging. Gives them that chance to fix any glaring errors, or rework their piece to better their piece overall. Then again, I used to be of the mind set, not to comment until after the contest closes, period. That way, all would think I was just being fair. I am a fair and unbiased person. However, I begin to change a bit in that direction, when it was pointed out to me, that if I gave a bit more feedback, I might receive better quality entries, along with being more clear in my instructions for any given contest. I still don't comment on everyone's entry right away, as I should. Mainly that is due to having to think on it properly, and considering ways I could help them improve it, that have not already been mentioned by others. I don't like to be redundant and point out things others have covered.
Like you, I never use that "Preliminary finalists" option. I don't like that either. It does discourage people and turn them away.
I don't enter contest, where preliminary finalists have been picked already. I avoid them like the plague, and it tells me much about the contest host. I hope many people come here and read this, they really should. You give some very sound advice and insight.
~Hettie
-
Excellent column, Liz. I agree with all of this, especially the number of entrants. You give me food for thought with your opinion concerning "Preliminary Finalists".
I was burnt recently with that. I was in the preliminary finalist top two, but ended up dead last. I really thought I had written a good poem for the contest.
Actually, I still do. -
An excellent column. You have presented this very well. I hope it gets a lot of attention. It certainly deserves it. Great job. ~Pamela
-
thank you for this
question:
does anyone ever say anything to judges who don't follow their own rules? who say no prewrites then award a trophy to a prewrite? for instance? (not you) just curious. i have never hosted one.
I sure liked this and appreciate the time you took to write it.
jingle -
-
Having a judge ignore the rules of his own contest is truly annoying. I have had it happen twice. The first time I IMed the judge (who I knew) and pointed out the problem. He apologized and re-opened the contest and judged it again. The second time I spoke to a moderator who told me that the contest judge is free to change the rules without warning. I learned my lesson and have never entered another contest sponsored by that person. Almost all the contests on this site are run according to the rules, and you will just have to learn by trial and error which judges' opinions you respect and which you do not. You certainly won't always agree with a judge's decision, but I hope you will not encounter obvious favoritism.
Liz
-
-
Wow! That's great advice! I've been on here a few months short of a year but haven't hosted a contest yet, so this was good advice for me! Thanks!
-
-
You are very welcome. I'm glad if I could help. One of the most disappointing things on this site is to enter a contest and not receive any feedback from the contest judge. Good luck with your writing, Peace, Liz
-
-
Well done, Liz! This is indeed a very helpful and informative column, yet I do believe that the onus is also on the contestants to make sure that the rules are followed.
-I always make a point of telling my contestants that I am a grammar-whore, and that typing lYk d1z, lyk dis, or lIk3 tHi5 will be deleted... Yet, I always end up DQing about six people per contest for this reason. I don't want to resort to making people put stupid phrases in the ANs to ensure that they follow the rules, but if it needs to be done, then so be it.
-Admittedly, I am partial to free-verse, though I also admire people who can write well in forms. Both rhymers and free-versers have won my contests in the past, though I find that a lot of form-writers are elitists who don't consider free-verse "poetry". My contestants know this, and yet (as already stated), I always end up having to DQ someone with a messiah-complex, who thinks it's okay to insult other entrants, based on their preference... *sigh*
My apologies for the rant, but it's late and I've been in a really crappy mood this week
Great job on the column, and thanks for your insight. I believe all of AP could do with a look-see.
Laura x -
-
Thank you for your thoughtful comments on my column on judging. I understand about the "messiah complex". Some authors have a small group of fans who always fill the comment boxes with "I know this will win" or "You are the Queen of Form" almost daring the judge to pick anyone other than their favorite. I find free-verse poetry much more difficult to write, and I am in awe of the many poets here that can do it well. I hope your crappy mood improves. Liz
-
-
My
You echo my sentiments. I spent the years between 30 and 44 running the English Department in a large State College, Brisbane.
-
Clearly set forth and helpful.
Adding your comment:
1 - 11 of 11
