Structured Critiques

Beyond simple comments

A critique on Stanza is a structured review: a scored, sectioned response to a poem. It's a serious tool for growth, for poets who want detailed feedback and for readers who enjoy giving it.

Dimensions for written poems

Score and comment on any of these craft dimensions:

• Imagery, Meter, Voice, Structure, Language
• Sound, Theme, Pacing, Emotion, Overall

Dimensions for spoken word

Performances have their own set:

• Delivery, Rhythm, Performance Energy, Vocal Range
• Audience Connection, Emotional Impact, Stage Presence, Originality, Overall

Scores and feedback

Each section you add gets a score from 1 to 100 and written feedback. A critique can also carry an overall score. The numbers help a poet see at a glance where a piece is strong and where it could grow; the words explain why.

Pointing at the text

Each section can refer to a specific part of the work:

• Whole: the piece as a whole.
• Line: a particular line.
• Stanza: a particular stanza.
• Word: a specific word or phrase.
• Time range: for spoken word, a stretch of the recording.

Writing a critique

1. Open the poem and choose Write a critique from its ⋯ menu.
2. Add the sections you want to cover. You don't have to use every dimension.
3. Give each a score, written feedback and, if helpful, a line, stanza, word or time range.
4. Save it as a draft while you work, and publish when you're ready.

Finding critiques

Open Critiques from the Library (in the You section) or pin it to your More menu. Use Discover to browse critiques across Stanza, My Drafts for your works in progress, and My Published for the ones you've shared. A poem's critique count opens its critiques directly.

When critiques open

Critiques open once a poem's settling window closes, a short settling period (currently 30 minutes) after publishing. The pause means a critique always judges a finished text, not one that might still change.

For poets: allowing critiques

Whether others may write critiques of your published poems is up to you: Settings › Privacy › Allow critiques. When it's off, readers don't see the option to critique your work.

Critiquing well

• Be specific. Point to the line or image you mean.
• Balance. Say what works as well as what doesn't.
• Serve the poem. Judge it on what it's trying to do, not on what you would have written.

Recognition

Thoughtful critics are recognised: badges such as Thoughtful Critic and Generous Critic mark sustained, careful critique, and members can apply to become a Critic or Verified Critic.