Posting Rules for the 'Poetry For Critique' Forums
It is this Poetry Community's hope that each poem posted on the Poetry for Critique forums receives the attention the poet desires. Our rules are designed to inspire fairness, honesty and civility in all exchanges between members across the forums. We ask each of our members to please read, understand and follow these rules. Thank you.
Please note: Though the rules below specify the posting of Poetry, which is the main focus here at Poem Online, these same rules also pertain to the posting of Art, Music & Lyrics, and Prose in their respective forums, too.
Critique is required before posting poetry on all of the Poetry for Critique forums.
- It is required that a poet must first post critique or comments on at least one other poet's poem before posting his or her own poem in the forum the poem will be posted in.
- Comments must go beyond, "I like (or dislike) your poem." If you like or dislike something, please include the reason that you do, too.
- For more information about why we require critique, please see the post titled, "Why Do I Have To Critique?". It is available to be read in every forum.
- The Advanced Poetry forum requires two critiques for each poem you post. Please see the Advanced Poetry Guidelines before posting in the Advanced Poetry forum. Thanks.
Post one poem per thread.
- Please limit each poetry thread to one poem, not a collection of poems.
Post one poem at a time, please.
- Before you post another poem on any forum, please wait until your previous poem receives critique or comments from other members. This may take a few days, and we do appreciate your patience. At the very most, post no more than one poem per day. There are no limits for the posting of critique or comments on others' poems.
Post your poem in only one forum.
- Multiple postings of the same poem in more than one forum is not allowed.
- If you desire that your poem be posted in a different forum than it is now, (such as from Draft to Medium Poetry) please Private Message an Administrator or Moderator. He or she will either lock the original version, allowing you to repost the poem in the desired forum, or he or she will move the poem's entire thread over to the desired forum for you.
Put the title of your poem into the Subject Line.
- Please do not add messages to the subject line. (Other than "revision") Messages such as "Please critique" are redundant, since that's what the forum you are posting your poem in is for. If you have info about the poem that you'd like your readers and future commenter's to take into consideration, please add the info above or below your poem.
Revisions: Please keep revisions of your poem within the poem's same thread.
- The best way to post revisions is to edit the poem in on top of the original. Use the "Modify" button found near the top-right corner of your poem's post. An edit box with your poem will come up. Edit in your revised poem above the original, and if you'd like, edit in the word "revision" next to your title in the subject line.
Please treat each other with respect and civility.
- Remember when critiquing, that you should critique the poem, and not the poet. Do not resort to name calling or belittlement when commenting on or critiquing a poem.
- Sometimes negative things are said about a poem when it has been critiqued. Please don't embarrass yourself with a reply filled with rage and/or name calling. It is perfectly acceptable not to agree with the critic and want to defend your poem, but please go about it in a calm manner as you explain why you disagree with the things said about your poem in the critique.
Poets who do not comply with the above Posting Rules run the risk of having their poem thread(s) marked as "hidden" deeming them unreadable to the members and guests of the forum. If your poem thread was marked as hidden, you will be contacted via Private Message with the reasons why your poem has disappeared from your view. When requirements are met, the moderator or administrator will once again return the post as viewable.
Replies on a thread that are deemed unsuitable or in violation of either these Posting Rules or the Terms of Service of this Poetry Community, will either be edited or deleted by a Moderator or Administrator.
Thank you for taking the time to read these Posting Rules.
Happy Posting,
The Poem Online Team