Each year, we offer full, paid-for critiques of poems entered. The poet will usually receive a critique between 400 and 1,000 words long (though critiques of very short or very good poems may sometimes be shorter, and some will be longer). For details of the current critique fee, see the Rules page. All paid-for critiques will be posted or emailed after the competition's close. Why?

Since last year's competition, we have offered a free tick-box critique to every entrant who sends us a stamped, self-addressed envelope for this purpose. Though it obviously doesn't offer an in-depth analysis of your poem, the tick sheet will highlight its main strengths and/or weaknesses. We won't wait until the end of the competition to post these critiques, but they may take up to eight weeks to arrive.

This year, online entrants can also request free, tick-box critiques, which will be sent via email. Email tick-box critiques are not available to postal entrants - if you send us your entry by post, you must send an SAE to receive one.

Here's what previous years' poets have to say about our (paid for) critique service:

'Lovely to get such detailed and
helpful comments on my poems. Thanks very much.'

'Apart from editor's comments on a couple of short stories submitted to the Evening News in the 70s, I have not had any creative input, and never on my poetry. So, your appraisals have been invaluable.'

'Thanks for your personal attention, especially for your comments on titles, rhyming, archaic constraints, etc. ...This is only the second time I have entered a poetry competition I am very pleased that you have made my entries worthwhile.'

'Many thanks for the critique. As I have never previously submitted any of my work for critical appraisal, nor indeed had any feedback from informed and knowledgeable persons, this was an extremely enlightening experience! As a result, I have condensed and refined the poem in question and believe that the end product is far more cohesive and satisfying. Thank you!'

'It has been very interesting to read your objective viewpoint and I realise that often poems can mean different things depending upon the reader's own experiences.  I now realise how easily a misused word or phrase can convey something quite different.'

I'm delighted the poems went down so well with your writing group, and thank you to you all for providing such full critiques. I've only ever come across one other competition that offers such a service, and that was only a few lines, so to get such a lot of feedback is great.'

'The Plough competition and having the chance to read and meet other poets was a real kickstart, and gave me a lot more confidence and incentive to keep writing, so I really am very grateful for all your encouragement...'

'I was absolutely delighted with your thoughtful, sensitive letter, full of supportive and helpful suggestions. You've no idea how anxious I was about submitting my poems, but after your letter I feel confident enough to write more poetry, and I'll enjoy trying out your suggestions, too.'

'It was, as I said, a really pleasant surprise to get so much feedback. I hope a few more poetry competitions catch on to the idea.'

If you decide to take advantage of the paid-for critique service, it would be very helpful to us if you could get your entry in early. As you can imagine, an influx of critique requests arriving at the end of the competition, which is our busiest time, can be quite daunting! Paid-for critiques will be posted/emailed as soon as possible after the competition has closed.

This service is sponsored by www.worddoctors.co.uk

©The Plough Prize and the poets
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Last updated: April 10, 2008.