Poetry Judging Criteria

We look for originality:Is the poem interesting? Has the poet taken mundane items and created something new from them? Does the poem have a distinct narrative, descriptive or thematic thrust? 15 per cent.We look for language:Has the writer used rich, vivid and evocative language? Are nouns and verbs used distinctively to create a poetic effect?  20 per cent.We look for poetic techniques:Has the writer used poetic techniques to effectively reinforce the theme? 20 per cent.We look for style:Does the writer have a distinctive voice, a consistent tone, and palpable confidence in the way his or her material is delivered? 10 per cent.We look for technical accuracy:Has the writer shown that she / he has paid attention to spelling, punctuation, grammar and related items? Have the guidelines on word length and similar factors been followed? 15 per cent.We look for intangible magic:Since good poems are always greater than the sum of their parts, we examine the overall reading experience: was it enjoyable, transformative, memorable? Does the reader feel compelled to share to poem with others? 20 per cent.