How to Comment

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Fri, 2012-01-13 21:22

How to Comment

I posted this in response to a comment on someone's work today, and thought that I would share it with everyone, because it is something about which I feel very strongly, as a long-standing member of ABCtales, who has benefitted enormously from the community here over the last ten years:

'I believe that good comments should perform one or both of these two functions:

1) To show your appreciation for the writer's craft, perhaps highlighting a phrase or stanza, theme or writing style that you particularly liked.

2) To help the writer develop and improve their use of spelling, punctuation, grammar, poetic metre, phrasing, etc. (and to help spot typos, which writers often miss because they are 'too close' to the work), which might be classified as 'constructive criticism' - since, after all, part of the function of a writing site is to better the craft of writing.

I do not believe it is helpful to say you disliked someone's work without offering some ideas/advice as to how the piece might be improved, or to say that the work inspired you to say nothing. Much better to simply refrain from saying anything at all.'

J x

Fri, 2012-01-13 21:29

scratch

Jennifer, I do believe that the contributor to the thread that prompted your response is being wilfully provocative.

Fri, 2012-01-13 21:34

jennifer

I found it extremely rude; and, if I had been the writer whose work it appeared on, I would have been most upset. J x

Fri, 2012-01-13 22:08

shep5377

Without looking, would this be OUR CAPITAL LOVING FRIEND?

Fri, 2012-01-13 22:12

scratch

That is a correct assumption shep.

Fri, 2012-01-13 22:19

shep5377

The longer he sticks around the less sure I am that he is a wind up. I actually think he is a genuine 'contributor'. This is a very scary thing. Jen, for what it's worth, I think your above 'guide' is great and should be posted as a sticky topic, or something similar, anyway. Shep

Fri, 2012-01-13 22:38

jennifer

What do you mean, Shep, by 'sticky topic'?! Thank you, by the way! J x

Fri, 2012-01-13 22:44

jennifer

Are you talking about me, Stan? Apologies if you think this is the case - I can only hide behind my day job as an English Teacher... J x

Fri, 2012-01-13 22:48

jennifer

OH, I SEE. SORRY. J X

Fri, 2012-01-13 22:56

#10

shep5377

Sticky topic is one that stays at the top of the board, like the Forum Rules, so that every newbie (like me) will read the valuable and worthwhile posts. That way they don't get lost in the ether.

Fri, 2012-01-13 22:58

#11

scratch

Further to shep; before we give him/her the title of 'contributor' we must see evidence of contribution beyond the cursory effort thus far. If the nonsense continues then the editors will inevitably take a stand, if that does no good then I suggest a denial of the oxygen of reaction. If that does not work we'll just have to prompt a thread to Archiemacjoyce and sit back and watch the cabaret.

Fri, 2012-01-13 22:59

#12

alex_tomlin

I hate being lost in the ether. Jennifer, your rules are ace and I agree wholeheartedly. As to the capital one (who is now hiding behind lower case), I think they have had far too much attention lately, wind-up merchant or not.

Fri, 2012-01-13 23:12

#13

jennifer

Thank you, Alex! Stan - I laughed! Scratch - Tony will step in if someone is creating an issue, usually! What's that famous quote about those that shout the loudest...?! J x

Sat, 2012-01-14 09:16

#14

jennifer

I nearly choked on my tea. ;p x

Sat, 2012-01-14 10:46

#15

TVR

Hi Jen, totally agree with your view of what good critique should be about. Excellent post and points made. Obviously I don't know the situation that prompted this, but reading between the lines I sense sombody has been unnecessarily rude to you in response to a comment, something you never deserve. Keep up the good work! sue

TVR

Sat, 2012-01-14 18:08

#16

chuck

Why not specify the actual infraction? Then we don't have to go tracking it down. I'm pretty sure it's this Sue.... http://www.abctales.com/story/silver-spun-sand/not-eden-nearly I agree with jennifer. It's a pointless comment and completely out of place.

Sat, 2012-01-14 18:33

#17

jennifer

I'm sorry - I didn't want to upset anyone, you see. The comment upset me because, if someone had left it on my work, I'd have been mortified. To leave it on the work of such a lovely, talented person was a little heartbreaking and I am afraid has spurred me to action. On the plus side, my reaction was relatively controlled - in the old days, I'd have written a poem ranting about it, which would probably have blown the whole thing up in my face, as it has done before! J x

Sat, 2012-01-14 18:42

#18

chuck

I understand. I think what we have here is a provocation. Clearly the commenter in question thinks limeys are too damn polite. Actually all he is demonstrating is a certain kind of American rudeness. Fairly rare in America I might add but facilitated by internet anonymity.

Sun, 2012-01-15 03:53

#19

Richard L. Prov...

Yes, Jennifer, it is important to remind everyone to be gracious in their comments. If something does not resonate whatsoever, I support the thought to refrain from saying anything at all. Each of us has something to share and can teach others on a different way of saying the same thing. I love to write; I welcome comments to improve my writing, and it is such a privilege to have this site to share my work. And to read other excellent writings. Take care folks, from Richard & Esther Provencher.

Richard L. Provencher

Sun, 2012-01-15 08:44

#20

jennifer

Hear, hear, Richard! Well put. Chuck - I'd agree that the person in question is the exception rather than the rule, and also with your comment regarding Internet anonymity. It is beyond me why people think they can say in writing what they wouldn't dream of saying to one's face... both on the Internet and in letters - I've experienced such, but it is not the way I see fit to behave. (However, I can also be fairly blunt face to face!) J x

Sun, 2012-01-15 20:15

#21

jennifer

;-) x

Sun, 2012-01-15 20:29

#22

ggggareth

Hi Jennifer, Whilst I agree with you that criticism should be in some way useful, I know that Silver-Spun-Sand has been writing on here for a long, long time, and at a standard many of us will never reach; and will therefore be unfazed by the oddest of odd comments. Gareth

Sun, 2012-01-15 20:30

#23

jennifer

Dear Gareth, I must confess that it upset me, as I have already stated. I know SSS will be fine - she is an amazing writer who has no need to pay attention to people who insult her, but it was so against the ethos of ABCtales that I took it upon myself to make a point. J x

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