I decided to finally write a blog about how I judge contests. I’ll include a link to this blog on each one of my future contests.
Most of my contests have both a theme and a form; however, I do like to change things up, now and again, and on occasion I may run a contest which has only a theme OR a form. Perhaps, one day, I may just fling my doors open and ask you to submit whatever-you-will.
If the contest contains both theme and form
When I judge for this type of contest, I consider both how the poem was composed and how the theme was handled. The best-crafted poem may not receive a first place if another poem addressed the theme in a better way. Conversely, the poem that handled the theme in the most unique way may not receive first place if another poem blew me away with masterpiece lines.
This is a hard balance.
If a poem is 1) excellently composed, 2) stuns with language, word play, literary devices and unique word pairings, 3) refrains from cliché or worn-out wordage and 4) strives to handle the subject in a unique way... Well, it is gold star material.
So, what I generally look for:
1) Structure of the poem. What words were chosen and where they were placed?
2) Theme. How was it handled. Fresh and innovative? A different take?
3) a) The language is figurative.
4) b) The language takes connotation into consideration and contains unique word pairings
5) Devices were used – there are many! Here are some references:
http://literary-devices.com/
http://literarydevices.net/
http://www2.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm
http://www.chaparralpoets.org/devices.pdf
6) Did the poem move me? Does it hit the emotions without being sappy or melodramatic?
7) Word play – did the poem contain any words which can be taken two ways. Did this word play enhance the poem?
8) Does the poem have some ambiguity? The best poetry does.
9) Careful use of modifiers. How adjective heavy is this piece? Could some words be removed or replaced for a crisper read or did the author choose each word with intention?
10) If rhyme is used, it is not forced or outdated. I dislike obsolete words like strife for a modern theme; however, archaic words can be used within poems set in another time, historical pieces.
11) Imagery was used in an artful way.
12) Tone. Was tone kept? Do the words chosen for this poem reflect its subject and mood? Did something shake me loose from your poem, seem out of place? (That being said, sometimes what seems like an odd word is purposely placed for a jarring effect, which can work very well in certain poems, dependent on theme)
13) Flow. Was this poem stagnant or did it move? How did the lines relate to each other? Did a stanza feel out of place? Did the poem start where it should?
14) Were clichés used? Worn out phrases? If so, your poem will not place high in my contests. If it comes easily to you, if you can finish your line quickly because it has been said a million times before, then I encourage you to revise your work and think , hahaha, outside the box (see a cliché )
15) Does it sound too much like prose? If the form I am requesting is prose this is a good thing. If I am asking for poetry and it reads like prose, it will place low on the winners list. Poetry can be recognized by its UNCOMMON use of language and/or use of literary devices.
16) Have you removed redundancy ? If your poem is saying the same thing four times or it has plastered itself with adjectives in some kind of bid to reach the proper quota of syllables, then it will not place high on the winners list. If I see, “the beautiful, glorious, scented rose on the tall, high, stone wall” than you can expect an HM. ‘Nuff said.
17) Does the title add to the poem or detract from it? Did it spark my interest?
18) I prefer poems written specifically for MY contest. Older poems weren’t (obviously) inspired by my chosen theme and this will reflect in your work.
19) Very rarely I give rules. I usually give guidelines. I will leave it up to the poet whether they add their names or choose to keep their names off the list. Some include bylines for copyright purposes. Again, I leave the choice up to the individual.
20) Spelling and grammar... last on my list. I am not a stickler for either grammar or spelling. However, if someone decides to bagger me with this fact by sending me utter nonsence in order to teach me a lesson, rest assured I will bring this to light in a future blog. Sender beware. If you enter my contests with the intention to harass or bully, I will use this as a way to craft a humorous blog at your expense. I may even put it in front of a picture...
About grammar on Soup:
We are an international group of poets. I do not expect poetry HERE to reflect a perfect understanding of English syntax; this is not an English site.
I have been studying up on some of the grammatical differences between other languages and English.
For example, the most basic sentence in Tamil is written like this:
Subject + object + verb ( He apples loves)
While the most basic sentence in English is written like this:
Subject + verb + object (He loves apples)
If a poet whose first language is Tamil writes a poem FOR ME in English, I will not penalize him or her for crafting that work in the manner which is more familiar to him or her. I believe a poem should reflect the natural speech pattern of that poet. I still need to read the poem, grasp its meaning and comprehend its intentions.
I am not saying that the global community cannot write English ‘properly.’ I am saying that I am BLESSED to live in a country that celebrates multiculturalism, and I well understand the complexities of all languages. The grammar rules for one country are not the same grammar rules for another and I feel STRONGLY that this is a poetry site, not an English class.
This means that those who write in ‘perfect’ English won’t necessarily place higher on my winner list than those who were born in a country where English is a second or even fourth language. I recognize that this sets a precedent that allows for careless grammar from those who were well-schooled in English and are simply riding the dang lazy train
I will swallow that bitter pill.
In good consciousness, I must ensure fair play and will stay my ground, regardless of growls from the sidelines, arguments and snubs. Yells of FOUL will not move me.
I DO expect to feel that the poet speaks POETRY fluently, as poetry is a language that follows its own rules (see numbers 1 -17 above).
I believe that poetry falls just outside perfect syntax and speaks directly to the heart, blows the mind then ignites the soul. Sometimes it is written in slang, sometimes with eloquence.
I believe true poets will understand what I mean. Others are free to learn.
HELP
I can provide help for those who choose to enter my contest. I cannot rewrite your poem for you, but if you have lines which you feel are requiring attention... I am happy to make some suggestions, send you links or even ask a fellow poet to help you out.
You are not alone. And this is a friendly site. The contests on soup are meant to TEACH, INSPIRE, ENTERTAIN, MOTIVATE AND/OR MEMORIALIZE.
If a poem is crafted because someone tickled it free from you, then that should be the true goal of all contests. All my contestants are winners in my book, regardless of placements or whether they placed at all.
WINNER’S BLOG: CHANGES
Usually, time permitting, I try to post a winner’s blog which highlights what I loved most about the winning poems. I enjoy showing poets that I have truly ‘seen’ their work, that I attempted to interpret their lines and that I have appreciated effort. I also feel this is a good teaching tool. The truth is I believe that judging contests has actually improved my poetry. It has allowed me to learn from hundreds of poets.
I used to judge my contest FIRST, close it, look up the winning poets’ name for my winners’ blog and then just add a date to finalize the contest..
I looked up the author’s names so that I could post winning poems without worry of copyright infringement. And, frankly, I felt it was more personal to address the comments to an actual poet instead of kust the title of a poem (Hey, DO NOT GO GENTLY INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT.)
Sadly, I learned that some believe that I actually search out these names prior to judging in order to choose my winners based on that knowledge.
Due to this, I will no longer be posting any of the winner’s poems and simply using the title (or the title plus first line as so many use the same titles) on the winner’s blog. I will still focus on what I liked about these poems, but I can no longer personalize my comments.
I judge based on the work and the work alone.
I do not give friends higher placements nor do I give those who are on less friendly terms with me a lower placement. All is even on my field. Friend or foe, it doesn’t matter to me. You hit me a home runner, you get the trophy.
If you have read this far, I’m amazed. There is a lot to take in. Those who have entered my contests are already familiar with my guidelines.
So, blessings and GOOD LUCK!
Remember, Soupie me with questions or leave a question on a poem.
Now I’ve spilled EVERY bean and I DO thank you for your valuable time.
(if you have fallen asleep, rest assured I forgive you. Ha!)