Read, re read, write, review, rewrite
This is what you need to do with each comment. Especially when it is a difficult poem to understand or one that you do not necessarily like.
1. Read through the poem, note how it makes you feel, the rhythm of it, try not to pick it apart as you read through it. Just experience the poem.
2. Re-read this time paying attention to flow, grammar, spelling, use of metaphors, poetic devices, figurtive language. Read it aloud, note the cadence of it. The rhythm of the words as you hear them.
3. Write, write your initial comment, start with how it made you feel, if you didn't like it say so, explain why you didn't like it. Second part of the write, should focus on things to improve, weakness, suggested editing. Always suggest, never straight out tell. Remember to state that these are your opinions. As the author they have the right to take your suggestions or leave them alone.
4. Review your comment for mistakes, if you are correcting someone else's spelling and grammar mistakes you should be sure that your comments are free from them, read it over to make sure that you haven't come off as rude, or that the reader will not be able to understand what you wrote. Go back to the poem and read it one more time.
5. Rewrite make any changes to your comment, add or delete, finalize your spelling and grammar, makes sure you have included good points and weak points.
Then submit.
Here is my formula for good comments/critiques
Included in the list
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Comments
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May I suggest...
that you read the poem orally, as sometimes the reading aloud emphasises the sound of the language and helps with the punctuation and enjambment.
reveiw = review in #4 above.
elses = else's
I may be incorrect, but I believe it is important to state that the 'weaknesses' or 'parts you do not like,' are your personal feelings and may only be a matter of opinion.
I like what you have written for making comments and I find it causes me to be more thoughtful. -
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Noted corrections
made. Thanks for the suggestions.
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thanks for posting this! bookmarking it.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have read poems several times in the past and then left without leaving a comment because I was unsure of how to handle it. I will be less likely to do that again.
Thanks
Don -
I think your advice is very sound. I need to make particular note of #4 as I sometimes submit a comment without reading it again. I find that my brain moves faster than my fingers, and a little proofreading would help.
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I too
fall victim to skipping number four at times lol.
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