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Risa Denenberg
New member
Username: Risa_denenberg
Post Number: 41
Registered: 01-2010
| | Posted on Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 01:37 pm: | 
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I wasn't sure where to post this. I really enjoy hanging out here and want to be able to provide my share of helpful comments. I feel a bit unequal to the art of criticism. I have loved reading poetry and literature since I was a teen, but I've never learned much about literary criticism, in particular how to critique a poem, more than just "I like this" or my emotional response to the poem. Since I've started posting my poems again, this seems important. I've gotten a few books from the library to guide me, but I wonder if anyone here has any suggestions for me in terms of books that might help me to learn more about this part of the endeavor. Being part of a community of poets.
Risa Denenberg
http://open.salon.com/blog/risa_denenberg
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Stephen Bunch
New member
Username: Stephen_bunch
Post Number: 71
Registered: 01-2010
| | Posted on Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 01:45 pm: |
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Risa,
Although it runs the risk of telling us more about the reader than the poem, I think sometimes a simple walk through of the poem, in which the reader states what the poem "means" to him or her can be useful. Technically that's not critique, but it can be good information as to how the poem is working for that reader, whether it's inadvertently opening itself up to misreading, the possibility that it's too abstruse, etc. Beyond that, keeping a good handbook "at hand" can be helpful to reader and poet so that the reader is communicating meaningfully to the writer in commenting on the poem. For example, that way you won't leave the poet scratching his or her head wondering what you meant by the "flow" of the poem. My two cents.
Steve
"Entrapment is this society's sole activity...& only laughter can blow it to rags." (Edward Dorn, Gunslinger, Book III)
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Staff Esther Murer
Moderator
Username: Staff_esther_greenleaf_murer
Post Number: 22
Registered: 12-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 03:25 pm: |
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Do you have strengths in writing that would help you tune into a specific aspect of a poem (without trying to make it something it isn't)?
For example, I'm not much good at critiquing either, but I'm good at things like spelling, grammar, syntax, and punctuation, and can sometimes zero in on them helpfully.
Sometimes one can feel where a poem seems too wordy or too abrupt, needs shortening or lengthening or rearranging, or the line or stanza breaks seem wrong -- stuff like that can be helpful. It happens very often that the beginning of the poem was a trigger that has served its purpose and doesn't need to be there.
Focus on critiquing poems that do elicit something, don't worry about those that don't.
You will learn a lot from trying, and from reading other people's critiques. Take it slow and trust that folks will cut you some slack.
Esther |
Patricia Wallace Jones
New member
Username: Pat_jones
Post Number: 35
Registered: 01-2010
| | Posted on Friday, January 29, 2010 - 01:07 am: |
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Risa, I have been around for a long time and still feel the same inadequacy you express critiquing. I don't post often because of it even though I read here several times a day. I read, enjoy, re-read many of the poems and think about them, but I know I don't crit well. I have always, and still do learn daily, from others' poems and crits....not just on my own. I tend to do what Steve advised...say what I liked about a poem and why, maybe suggest a word or question a flower blooming out of season...but I always wonder when doing it if I am making a complete fool of myself. : )
Dive in is my advice...folks here are mighty accepting, gracious about critique and they are already responding favorably to the poems you have posted.
Pat |
Staff Sherry OKeefe
Moderator
Username: Staff_sherry_okeefe
Post Number: 199
Registered: 12-2009
| | Posted on Friday, January 29, 2010 - 08:55 am: |
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risa,
in specific reference to your query about what books would be helpful, i have no answer but am sure someone here can point us in the direction of some books that would help. right now i am reading "the art of syntax" which will hold me at a rookie status for quite some time. meanwhile when i crit, i listen first to the heart of the poem (does it ring true) and then i crit along the lines of what steve suggested.
risa, your comments have been helpful in here. it's good reading what you have to share both in crits and in your poetry.
sherry
(Message edited by Staff_Sherry_OKeefe on January 29, 2010)
Sherry O'Keefe
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Maryann Corbett
New member
Username: Maryann_corbett
Post Number: 9
Registered: 01-2010
| | Posted on Friday, January 29, 2010 - 10:14 pm: |
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Books about writing poetry can be very helpful in laying out the different elements of a poem that can be the focus of critique. Three I found helpful early on were Ted Kooser's "The Poetry Home Repair Manual" and Steve Kowit's "In the Palm of Your Hand" and Frances Mayes "Discovery of Poetry." |
Staff Richard Jordan
Moderator
Username: Staff_richard_jordan
Post Number: 102
Registered: 12-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, January 30, 2010 - 06:36 am: |
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Hi Risa,
First of all, thank you for reviving the Theory & Practice section!
I agree with all the advice you've received thus far.
I just want to add that any crit you offer will help the poet see his/her poem in a new way, through different eyes. Even seemingly small suggestions, such as a word change or a different line break, can be of value to the poet, especially if you explain why you would make such a change. And what Stephen says about a walk through the poem is something I would have said if he hadn't beat me to it.
As for books, in addition to the ones already mentioned, I like The Poet's Companion, by Addonizio and Laux, and Teaching the Art of Poetry, by Wormser and Cappella. While these books don't provide guidelines or recipes for critiquing poetry, they provide insight on what makes a poem a good poem--the various elements that go into a poem, and the techniques employed by the poet. In doing so, they provide the reader with examples of what to look for in a poem.
That said, I think your contributions to The Gazebo have been valuable already!
Rich
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Risa Denenberg
New member
Username: Risa_denenberg
Post Number: 43
Registered: 01-2010
| | Posted on Saturday, January 30, 2010 - 01:26 pm: |
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Thanks for comments and book suggestions, very helpful and encouraging! Surprisingly, I can place a hold on most of these books at the library (Seattle has a fabulous library system). Being on this site is giving me reason to spend a lot more time reading poetry, which is wonderful.
Thanks again everyone.
Risa Denenberg
http://open.salon.com/blog/risa_denenberg
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