RE: How To Critique Poetry - A Simple Structure
I admire those who can edit/critique. I am not good at it. I can critique some basic grammar, but that's about it. I can sometimes tell that I don't care for something, or that it doesn't flow, but I suck at having any suggestions for WHY that is or what should be changed. This goes for any type of writing/creativity. My kids writing/paintings/creations. I can tell you how something makes me feel or if it resonates or not, but when it comes to saying, "Hey, if you rewrote this sentence like..." my mind is blank.
My husband, however, seems to have a natural knack for it. He is an AMAZING editor with writing, music, whatever. He can take a basic song/written piece and flesh it out to something fantastic. I guess that's why we work together so well!
I admire you and think that the way you laid all of this out so concisely and clearly is an amazing thing to do for people. You rock.
I'll let you in on a secret. It took multiple reassurances, but there are a couple of "non-poets" and also "non-critiques" whom I give my pieces to give their opinions on.
"I know how it makes me feel, either as a whole, or a line," is exactly what impressionistic feedback is.
Yes, it's not the advanced "constructive criticism," but there's a reason that's the "advanced" bit.
Also, like in game design, most people can tell you what did not work for them. When they tell you why, they are usually wrong, and even more wrong at identifying fixes. So if it makes you feel better, I quite often ignore fixes even from people who "know" what they are doing, focusing mostly on the part of the critique that tells me what bothered them.
And thank you kindly, Byn <3