Excuse me moderator, where should I post?

[Gabe1]

Good question. Maybe I can shed a little light on the subject. We have different forums because we have a pretty big spectrum of posters who all have different intentions and are at different levels. I think several of the following opinions are shared by some of our posters, but let me at least tell you where I am coming from. You see, I have different expectations of you depending on where you post. Maybe this guide for the main forums, in addition to the descriptions, can be of some help:

*NOTE: Following the posting guidelines is expected in all forums.

General: This is where you should post if you don't really want to get critical comments on your poems, just general feedback. It is a friendly place. You can also request some light critical comments by writing "C&C please" in the heading.

I have no expectations of any post in this section.

General C&C: This is where you should post if you are looking for critical feedback and are interested in giving critical feedback, but really are just getting familiar with poetry and/or criticism. This is a good forum for newbies who are looking to make and receive comments to start in.

I expect posters here to be open to suggestions, and to give suggestions. Yup, that's about it. It should be noted that as this forum's purpose is to serve as an introduction to criticism, that moderators may occassionally make comments on critiques posted in this forum as well as on the poems themselves.

Charon's Leaky Schooner: You know that link that says "READ THIS FIRST"? Click that.

I expect that posters here are committed to the revision process, and are eager for extended critical feedback. They are also patient. Revision takes time you know.

High Critique: I think of this place as Merciless-lite. Post here if you have already done some revision on your poem and are looking for feedback.

I expect posters in this forum to be in possession of basic poetic knowledge, i.e. familiar with common poetic terms, common forms, understand what a cliche is, understand what an abstraction is. I also expect posters who post in this section to be familiar with giving and accepting critique. If someone flips out in response to a comment in Low or General, I can be convinced that it was just a knee-jerk reaction to something unfamiliar. If someone flips out in High or Merciless, I cannot be convinced of that.

Merciless: Post here if you are looking for feedback on a poem that you have already heavily revised.

I expect posters to this forum to be in possession of a more advanced poetic knowledge, i.e. familiarity with poetic terms, familiarity with forms. If someone says, "This doesn't scan right." I expect that the poster will know what that means. I expect that poems posted to Merciless have already been revised numerous times. Posters in this forum are expected to give critical comments and to accept critical comments with a degree of dignity. If you do not feel that you would react well to people calling your poem, "A yawn-fest of epic proportions," or "A random smattering of angst-ridden tripe," do NOT post to the Merciless forum.


[This message has been edited by Gabriel (edited 02-23-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Gabriel (edited 02-23-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Gabriel (edited 04-25-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Gabriel (edited 08-24-2001).]

[michael.pracht]

Should I infer from this that those of us posting our dislikes of poetic usage and corrections of punctuation and spelling in the General forums should stop, unless critique is specifically requested? If this is the case, then only praise-minded critics should ever read anything posted to General, or at least post remarks.

I fear I am guilty of breaking the rules since I more frequently point out flaws than deliver praise.

[Rachel Lindley]

Originally posted by michael.pracht:
Should I infer from this that those of us posting our dislikes of poetic usage and corrections of punctuation and spelling in the General forums should stop, unless critique is specifically requested? If this is the case, then only praise-minded critics should ever read anything posted to General, or at least post remarks.

I fear I am guilty of breaking the rules since I more frequently point out flaws than deliver praise.

As Gabriel has said, general feedback in General is to be expected. All of the forums are for critical comment, more or less. In General, it falls into the "less" category. Comments on spelling, grammar, and "poetic usage" as you put it, should, in my mind, be expected by posters in General, whether there is a "C&C" in the subject line or not.

Rachel

[This message has been edited by TheBroad (edited 02-23-2001).]

[michael.pracht]

Ok, thanks for the clarification.

[Scavella]

Gabriel, thanks! The only thing that maybe needs to be said now is that Low to Middling and More General have been combined to make General C&C, where beginning poets can post for critique and comment without worrying (too much) about having their toes stepped on or their feelings hurt.

Scavella

[Gabe1]

I've been meaning to change that. Okey.

[JohnBoddie]

Gabriel,

You might want to extend this to include some rudimentary advice on where to critique as well. You've already taken notice of the invasion of the fluff-throwers in the critical forums and a polite reminder might do a tiny bit to reduce their presence.

JB

[Gabe1]

Originally posted by JohnBoddie:
Gabriel,

You might want to extend this to include some rudimentary advice on where to critique as well. You've already taken notice of the invasion of the fluff-throwers in the critical forums and a polite reminder might do a tiny bit to reduce their presence.

JB

That's a very good suggestion. Thanks.

-Gabriel