Grading on a curve?

[lostandfounder]

I have a question on scoring poems. When I give a poem a score I tend to take who wrote it into consideration. With established poets like WickedEve or Annaswirls, both of whom have graced us with many fantasic works, I find myself being...tougher than I would be on a virgin poet.

Is this fair? Or should I judge each poem the same regardless of who writes it?

 

[Lauren Hynde]

I know I do. If I know they can do better, I won't praise and fluff them.

 

[tarablackwood22]

I tend to be very gentle in my comments on a newer poet's work,
(but not in my reviews, as has already been debated) if I see promise in it. Even praising what is only ordinary, in some cases.

It would be easy for a new face to throw up their hands in frustration -- why not help them move forward and see where they can go?

 

[Angeline]

I'm more forthcoming about critique if it's someone I know will see that sort of comment as useful. I do try to focus on what's good about a poem, though. It really doesn't matter who wrote it.

 

[WickedEve]

I have a question on scoring poems. When I give a poem a score I tend to take who wrote it into consideration. With established poets like WickedEve or Annaswirls, both of whom have graced us with many fantasic works, I find myself being...tougher than I would be on a virgin poet.

Is this fair? Or should I judge each poem the same regardless of who writes it?

Be rough with me. Oh yeah, you know I like it rough. Okay, I get carried away. I've mellowed out big time with new poets. I encourage, encourage, encourage. I think many of the "older" regular poets don't want a polite pat on the backside.

 

[perks]

I'm tough on everyone, and tougher still on those whose poems I've read to a greater degree.

I bring the basics of what I think is a good poem and apply it, and then I compare it to the work of that poet, because things like voice can be great indicators to the strength of the work, and I'm only aware of that when I've been immersed in their poetry for some time.

So, to answer your question, I grade on a tough curve.

For me, the best praise I've received has always been from someone who doesn't hand it out lightly, and that is the type of critic I want to be. When I say something is good, or solid, I want them to know it's because it is good, not just because they're new, or because I know them.

It's about the work, and the work as a whole, that could mean one poem, or that could mean one poem in a sea of eighty poems. See what I mean?

 

[Reltne]

I mentally rate every poem, but I do not actually vote on every one. However, in reflection I believe I do hold some familiar poets to a higher standard, but then I am predisposed to expect quality from them. For instance, I cannot imagine annaswirls submitting a poem of less than average quality. So if she starts at a higher point it will always take more for me to vote a "5". (Does this make any sense?). On the other hand, if a new author's first few submissions are "crap" I tend to initially look on further posts with a negative mindset.

One thing I do is to vote differently on erotic and non-erotic poems. It is much harder to write a fresh erotic poem than a non-erotic one, particularly one with no four letter words. Few erotic poems get above a 3 with me, but if they reach that level then they are likely to rate even higher because they are so rare.

Voting is so subjective! And I refuse to use the thermometer.

 

[annaswirls]

This is a tough call.

I remember when I first came here in December, I rated Angeline and some others harsher than I would "newer" poets.

But then I would see that some of her poems would not get that H or on the "Top List"
when they were clearly better than some of those that did. But maybe that was not important to her, I don't know.



If Eve writes a poem that is not her best but still better than anything else out there, I cannot see why I wouldn't give her a 5 if I think it is still a great poem. I might be tougher on praise in the comments, but not too much tougher on votes, especially considering some of the established poets have enough people who zing them with low votes anyway.


Similiarly, I am easier on the praise and often send email pc as well for new poets for added encouragement

new to here, remember half of the new poets are just the regular ol' wolves in sheepie clothing and many are not new poets at all, just new to lit

but I am not too much easier on the votes themselves.

How will they know when they are doing better if they get high scores right from the start?


It is all a big debate, when I was a teacher, it was all the same thing.

I am glad to know, however, that some rate my poems hard.
It makes me feel better about not getting as high points as I used to.
I have thought at times that my stuff must just suck now,
that my work has been sliding-- or that people might just be sick of it.
Maybe that is the case anyway? Who knows.
I guess it does inspire me to be more careful when posting poetry.

I DO want tough comments though, I am 100% sure about that!
I am learning that I have been doing so many things wrong that I am sure someone must have noticed I would love to hear any suggestions from anyone on any poem at any time. Love it.

Good question! Great responses!
This is a good topic of debate, and it is good to have it out in the open, so that people know how others are thinking about these things.

all the best,

~anna <---wants it rough, but still needs fluffing every now and then

 

[Angeline]

This is a tough call.

I remember when I first came here in December, I rated Angeline and some others harsher than I would "newer" poets.

But then I would see that some of her poems would not get that H or on the "Top List"
when they were clearly better than some of those that did. But maybe that was not important to her, I don't know.



If Eve writes a poem that is not her best but still better than anything else out there, I cannot see why I wouldn't give her a 5 if I think it is still a great poem. I might be tougher on praise in the comments, but not too much tougher on votes, especially considering some of the established poets have enough people who zing them with low votes anyway.


Similiarly, I am easier on the praise and often send email pc as well for new poets for added encouragement

new to here, remember half of the new poets are just the regular ol' wolves in sheepie clothing and many are not new poets at all, just new to lit

but I am not too much easier on the votes themselves.

How will they know when they are doing better if they get high scores right from the start?


It is all a big debate, when I was a teacher, it was all the same thing.

I am glad to know, however, that some rate my poems hard.
It makes me feel better about not getting as high points as I used to.
I have thought at times that my stuff must just suck now,
that my work has been sliding-- or that people might just be sick of it.
Maybe that is the case anyway? Who knows.
I guess it does inspire me to be more careful when posting poetry.

I DO want tough comments though, I am 100% sure about that!
I am learning that I have been doing so many things wrong that I am sure someone must have noticed I would love to hear any suggestions from anyone on any poem at any time. Love it.

Good question! Great responses!
This is a good topic of debate, and it is good to have it out in the open, so that people know how others are thinking about these things.

all the best,

~anna <---wants it rough, but still needs fluffing every now and then

I don't care about votes or E's or H's. Really. What I care about is the opinions of the poets here. I love the comments and feedback, and while praise is wonderful what I most want is to learn, so criticism that teaches me something, helps me improve really makes my day.

 

[BlueskyBeauty]

This is a tough call.

I remember when I first came here in December, I rated Angeline and some others harsher than I would "newer" poets.

But then I would see that some of her poems would not get that H or on the "Top List"
when they were clearly better than some of those that did. But maybe that was not important to her, I don't know.



If Eve writes a poem that is not her best but still better than anything else out there, I cannot see why I wouldn't give her a 5 if I think it is still a great poem. I might be tougher on praise in the comments, but not too much tougher on votes, especially considering some of the established poets have enough people who zing them with low votes anyway.


Similiarly, I am easier on the praise and often send email pc as well for new poets for added encouragement

new to here, remember half of the new poets are just the regular ol' wolves in sheepie clothing and many are not new poets at all, just new to lit

but I am not too much easier on the votes themselves.

How will they know when they are doing better if they get high scores right from the start?


It is all a big debate, when I was a teacher, it was all the same thing.

I am glad to know, however, that some rate my poems hard.
It makes me feel better about not getting as high points as I used to.
I have thought at times that my stuff must just suck now,
that my work has been sliding-- or that people might just be sick of it.
Maybe that is the case anyway? Who knows.
I guess it does inspire me to be more careful when posting poetry.

I DO want tough comments though, I am 100% sure about that!
I am learning that I have been doing so many things wrong that I am sure someone must have noticed I would love to hear any suggestions from anyone on any poem at any time. Love it.

Good question! Great responses!
This is a good topic of debate, and it is good to have it out in the open, so that people know how others are thinking about these things.

all the best,

~anna <---wants it rough, but still needs fluffing every now and then

i'm the same way, i can't see giving some of you 4 ratings when your poetry clearly should be in the top list, and i take into consideration there are buggers that give the low ratings just because they're such wonderful people

i've watched my ratings drop down more and more, i'm supposably getting better, but you wouldn't know it, and now an h is pretty much unreachable for anything i post.

it's discouraging but i try to keep my focus on improving my pen and learning from those willing to teach.

if i have to give less then a 4..i just wont rate it.

 

[Guest]

5ives have nice curves. I'm easy. I like them and give them out if the poem warrants it no matter who wrote it. Every poem is held up to the same standard of what I think is a good poem—erotic or not (although short erotics with a sense of humor get instant 5's from me everytime.).



- neo

 

[tungtied2u]

I don't care about votes or E's or H's. Really. What I care about is the opinions of the poets here. I love the comments and feedback, and while praise is wonderful what I most want is to learn, so criticism that teaches me something, helps me improve really makes my day.

I gonna piggyback Ange here (if she'll let me). When I can I try to give positve, constructive feedback, as I often receive from others here.
It's not about E's and H's to me, but improving my poetry.

 

[annaswirls]

I gonna piggyback Ange here (if she'll let me). When I can I try to give positve, constructive feedback, as I often receive from others here.
It's not about E's and H's to me, but improving my poetry.

I know it is not about them. I know feedback is more important. I hope for improvement in my poetry, but if it doesn't I will still write. It is not just about improving either, it is about creating. For me at least. When I suffer dementia I will still write.

 

[annaswirls]

I don't care about votes or E's or H's. Really. What I care about is the opinions of the poets here. I love the comments and feedback, and while praise is wonderful what I most want is to learn, so criticism that teaches me something, helps me improve really makes my day.

These are the things I care about too, I didn't mean to imply that you felt anything else, I just feel like if there is a rating system out there (which just seems so fucking bizarre) then I might as well vote in a way that reflects my opinion on a poem for it's own merit. I know a comment is worth more than a vote to most of us.

I have found inspiration and encouragement here, and I hope I have given some too.

And TongueTied, I agree with you-- I try to leave at least as many comments as I get. It takes time, but if it is what I am looking for then I feel like it is what I should give. Good point!

 

[lostandfounder]

I have thought at times that my stuff must just suck now,
that my work has been sliding-- or that people might just be sick of it.
Maybe that is the case anyway? Who knows.

I know. Most definitely NOT the case.

Hmmmm....the general consensus seems to be that voting is a lot like sex. You start out with sweet words and gentle caresses, and then once you've gotten them warmed up, you dig the spurs in and ride 'em hard.

Interesting responses from everybody. Thanks!

By the way, did I miss a memo or something? I've noticed more and more aren't using the thermometers any more. What's the issue?

 

[annaswirls]

I know. Most definitely NOT the case.

Hmmmm....the general consensus seems to be that voting is a lot like sex. You start out with sweet words and gentle caresses, and then once you've gotten them warmed up, you dig the spurs in and ride 'em hard.

Interesting responses from everybody. Thanks!

By the way, did I miss a memo or something? I've noticed more and more aren't using the thermometers any more. What's the issue?

damn it, I think you are going to make me change my position

of course, taking sex to make me get it

damn
okay I am with Eve

ride me hard, but give me a firm slap on the ass to let me know if it is a good ride.

and maybe an apple or a sugar cube
and let me watch Zorro or any movie in which Johnny Depp has equistrian moments.

~anna

 

[tungtied2u]

I know. Most definitely NOT the case.

Hmmmm....the general consensus seems to be that voting is a lot like sex. You start out with sweet words and gentle caresses, and then once you've gotten them warmed up, you dig the spurs in and ride 'em hard.

Interesting responses from everybody. Thanks!

By the way, did I miss a memo or something? I've noticed more and more aren't using the thermometers any more. What's the issue?

My guess is originally it was meant to gauge the heat of eroticism the post generated.
It seems somewhat redundant to 1-5 scale on non-erotic posts.

I must say some poorly written pieces can still push a button at times.

 

[BlueskyBeauty]

My guess is originally it was meant to gauge the heat of eroticism the post generated.
It seems somewhat redundant to 1-5 scale on non-erotic posts.

I must say some poorly written pieces can still push a button at times.

it says on that scale at 1 end "liked it" and at the other end "didn't like" so i dont think it's about how saucy the poem was. and i think people(i am) are just tired of having to use it when there is an anon rating system. why should there be 2, and it seems to cause lots of problems if you give less then a 100.

i'm not using it anymore, if i'm leaving a comment, it's because it was a poem worth my time to comment..the comments speak enough for themselves if i liked the poemm or not.

just my take on it is all

 

[Zanzibar]

I tend to look at each one seperately, and let the author know if they really moved me by leaving feedback, good and bad for them about how it impacted me.

I know in the last writing challenge I entered, a half dozen of the writers got comments about what their works did to me.

Votes are nice, and I appreciate honest ones, but as noted by someone else above - I thrive on comments, both on my stories and my poems.

 

[twelveoone]

Zanzibar has a nice link, I read it, I agree, to a degree. Although, I only comment on something that jumps out at me. If nothing jumps out, kiss ass and move on, or if is bad, no comment, no vote, just move on. I think both the thermometer and the comments can be used as warning flags, that something is not right, it then becomes incumbent on the author to pursue it further via email. It also becomes incumbent on the commenter to further explain.

BTW personal thanks to Reltne and
lostandfounder for pointing out that a pun I used overwhelmed what I was trying to say with a bad smell.