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In Sponsoring a Contest

In sponsoring a contest, one should know
the basics of the poetry that he
is judging! If the form has got a flow
such as iambic, that’s what we should see!
Of course, there’s more to poetry than that.
Free verse we know is different from rhyme!
One ought to judge the forms that he’s good AT,
and with each entry that he gets, take time
to analyze those elements which should
be mentioned as what he is looking for
so entrants know what he considers “good:”
the message? Imagery? Succinctness? More?
If judging, I’d be clear with rules, and I’d
be nice to poets I could tell had tried!

May 18, 2021
for the Judge Not Lest Ye Be Poetry Contest of John Lawless

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Eve Roper

Date: 5/29/2021 11:43:00 PM

Excellent, congratulations on your win <3

L Milton Hankins

Date: 5/29/2021 5:29:00 PM

Andrea, you have penned a commonsense approach. I agree with you. I am back to say CONGRATS on your place on the winner's list.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 5/23/2021 9:47:00 AM

Andrea you have focused here on the embryo of a sponsor and his or her judging, good poetry is good poetry, what more can I say, however each sponsor has their own perspectives and priorities, sometimes we think the results are unfair, but we are not the sponsor, I accept but do read all the poetry judged and sometimes cannot understand their decisions, whether I've won or not. You are completely right a free verse is a free verse and nothing else - brilliant poem. Hugs and blessings Jennifer.

Joanna Daniel

Date: 5/21/2021 10:44:00 PM

You are a kind soul, Andrea, love your rare contests anytime:)

Terry Flood

Date: 5/21/2021 12:48:00 PM

If I had a pound for every poem where I misunderstood the requirements I’d have enough for a good night out. So your poem hits home. Best of luck in the contest Andrea. Terry

Anitha Jayasankar

Date: 5/19/2021 7:03:00 PM

I loved this line: 'One ought to judge the forms that he's good AT'.... I agree with your first four lines... one should know the basics of poetry that he/she is judging... I also LOVED your last line... Best wishes Andrea... Hugs... ~ Ani

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 5/19/2021 8:29:00 AM

I do find it easier to judge forms that appeal to me. Also agree that it helps contestants if we leave comments for them after judging so they can understand our decisions. Best wishes for a win in John's contest! Hugs, Carolyn

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 5/19/2021 10:26:00 AM

Yes, I like to do that too, leave comments after judging! And it certainly comes down to what appeals most to a judge in determining the numbered placements!

Quoth Theraven

Date: 5/19/2021 7:44:00 AM

Andrea, If I ever decide to sponsor a contest I'll take your Sonnet to heart. Seems some want more than anyone can deliver. Certainly more than I'll ever have to give. -Richard

Janice Canerdy

Date: 5/19/2021 5:58:00 AM

This is an excellent sonnet with a strong message to which I say YES! Each year I judge a couple of contests for the Mississippi Poetry Society. When I ask for a narrative poem, some poets send me LOVELY poems I cannot place because they are NOT narrative poems!! Janice

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 5/19/2021 5:44:00 AM

Wonderful words and wisdom. I enjoyed reading and the message... I hope I can judge graciously because I know I'm definitely not a "great writer" but am, hopefully, "a kind writer and judge in contests" God bless you sweet friend. Love, Gina

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 5/19/2021 1:05:00 AM

I don't think I will ever sponsor a contest. There are good sponsors who judge blind. Others do not. So I am not entering much contests either. None-the-less I wish you good luck.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 5/21/2021 3:44:00 PM

that is for sure. There are some judges who even discriminate and never pick a person not even if they try 20 times, never ever (I know a few like this).

L Milton Hankins

Date: 5/18/2021 6:19:00 PM

Good job with fine advice on the subject of "judging" a contest, Andrea. It's difficult because poetry is always such a subject thing. What appeals to me may not strike you at all, and vice versa. I didn't enter this contest because I couldn't figure out how to say what I would say in a proper format. Then again, I had written on the subject at length. Best wishes!

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 5/19/2021 10:27:00 AM

Yes, this was not an easy contest to write for, and actually, I have not read any poems like my own that even answered the question, but maybe some people did it and i just have not read their entries yet.

Jan Allison

Date: 5/18/2021 3:05:00 PM

wise advice Andrea:-) hugs jan xx

Daniel Turner

Date: 5/18/2021 2:45:00 PM

I also try to take into consideration, would the poem still be a good poem even if it wasn't written for a contest. Could it stand alone. I think that is a key component. I enjoyed reading your POV, Andrea. Good luck young lady:)

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 5/18/2021 7:53:00 PM

well, I think that stands to reason, Daniel. But the same things that garner a win in a contest of mine would also include how unique and awesome a poem is on its own. but let's say the contest was for sonnets and the person wrote nothing in sonnet form. I would not be able to give such a poem a win, but I'd likely find out who wrote it and go fave it!