Our SearchWarp Community: Read - Rate - Respect
Posted: Monday, December 07, 2009
by Teresa Ortiz
Freelance writer/Speaker
I am a proud member of this community and I never intend to "move out". For some this may be disappointing news, for the rest of you; you can count your lucky stars. (Seriously, for those who do not know me, I am kidding.)
It's been a bummer to be without a computer for many reasons, but one dear to my heart is that I have not been able to participate in the community as much as I normally do, and I am sad for all the great articles and all the other fun stuff I know I am missing out on – Like the latest contest.
One of the reasons I enjoy this writer's community above all others is the diverse writing styles, opinions, and beliefs of my fellow writers. I love the wonderful discussion that comes with many of the opinion pieces – be it religion, politics, or who makes the best Apple pie, and the spirit of unity I see between those of different faith and values. I even love a good debate filled with a reasonable amount of tension and passion.
Second to variety, I love the constructive criticism and helpful hints that I receive and give to my fellow writers using the options we are given in which to measure and rate articles – Format and Content. Or, if rating through the reader's club, it looks like this:
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Poor Formatting / Grammar / Spelling |
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Great Formatting / Grammar / Spelling |
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Boring / Not Great Information |
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Interesting / Contains Great Information |
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Spammy / Written for Profit |
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Inspirational / Written for Passion |
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Does Not Belong on SearchWarp |
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Adds to the Quality of SearchWarp |
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Didn't Do Anything for Me |
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I enjoyed this article! |
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I appreciate this method because this serves as a tool to critique an article objectively. With the exception of the last question, these choices are aimed at the quality of the piece rather than the content of the piece and it serves to aid the writer in making grammatical changes or include more data etc.
When I joined this community, I followed the lead of some wonderful members and I began to rate articles with the intent of the writer in mind – this was and is especially useful in rating articles with content I strongly disagree with. It's not about what I like, or don't like, it's about how well the writer conveys his or her message.
Over the past two years, I have seen this happen more often than not, and it makes me smile. However, it seems that in the past few months there have been some who are either new members or those who drop in due to a hit on the net that are not using the rating/comment section the way I believe it is intended to be used.
Instead, there are many articles with a one star rating with comments that are all but constructive. A one star rating would indicate a piece containing extremely poor grammar, no story line, without information, and could rightly mean the writer has no business trying to write. Beyond the star rating, comes the comments that are crude, rude, and tears apart the writer instead offering constructive advice on the message.
A writer's community is a place where everyone should feel welcomed and not belittled because of the content. How in the world can we ever expect world peace if we cannot communicate peacefully in a setting such as this? I don't understand why some people have to be so mean to those they disagree with. It makes it as if the one who is doing the belittling thinks that everyone should agree with them – after all, any thought contrary is a case for stupidity – so they say.
Anyway, enough of the babble; I just hope this serves as a reminder to be kind and considerate to your fellow writer. If you disagree with the content, disagree kindly – or skip all content by that particular author. We are all here for the same reasons; we want to share our experience, encourage one another, make friends, and even challenge ourselves to think outside of our little box and appreciate new perspectives. If we try, we can all do this without compromising our own convictions.
Searchwarp is a place where everyone belongs – may we all remember that and be helpful not hurtful.
© Teresa Ortiz
Great article. Well done.I have a policy of ignoring the stupid comments. When I wrote an article about atheism I had a lot of horrible comments. However, every single one was anons and new writers you never see ever again.All the regulars are the ones I listen most to as I trust their advice.Hi Connor, what a great policy! I love it and thanks for the kind words. Blessings to you! Teresa
Excellent article, I think that any new writers here should take note. ThanksRichHi Rich, thanks for your input, I appreciate it. I do hope new writers stumble across this piece. Blessings to you! Teresa
Your passion for Searchwarp and your love for people is wonderful and it shows in this article. Hope all is will. Linda DThanks so much Linda, I'm so glad this is evident. It is the spirit in which I wrote it. Bloessings to you! Teresa
Good rundown on what a proper review of an article can accomplish, and how we all can easily give good suggestions and support to all members of the community. Thanks for the good article.Hi Colin, thanks for your support! I appreciate your comments. Blessings to you! Teresa
Everything you said in this article somes it all up. I totally agree with you. I have enjoyed everything you have done to help me make my articles more interesting. Nobody's perfect, but if you don't tell them they will never know and everyone deserves a chance to atleast try. I love your article. Thank you very much for writing it.Thanks so much Clairessa, I am happy to hear I have been helpful to you. I only wish to pass on what I have learned, knowing that I still have much to learn. Stick around, you will continue to get better and better! Blessings to you! Teresa
TeresaThis should be on the front page of the site. Great guidleines for comments. I never understand why people get personal in comments. I have already had one "comment arguement" with someone who clearly didn't read my article properly and I have only submitted four so far.Hi Peter, thanks so much! I am sorry about your arguement, I am glad you are still here :-) Forgive me, but I don't remember meeting you before, but I will certainly read your work. Many blessings to you! TeresaHi Again, oops, I had read one of your pieces and even welcomed you to searchwarp. My bad. I have to go read some more so that I remember your name. :-)
Hi Teresa, I'm fairly new to SearchWarp, so haven't had the pleasure of reading any of your stuff before. REALLY liked this one. I do have one question. How do you get into the Readers Club to give the kind of feedback you illustrated? One of the things I was hoping for when I joined SearchWarp was some constructive feedback on my writing. It's about the best, maybe only, way I know to improve my writing.Hi Joyce, I haven't been on as regularly lately, so you are new to me, welcome to searchwarp. If I have read or commented on your work, forgive me :-)On your control panel, there is an icon that says "readers club". If you click on that, there will be another button that says "read next article". It will bring up an article. Right below the article ending you will see the box to comment and then a rating bar that will look exactly like the example on this article will appear. I personally love the feature because it is a great way to meet and read from new members.Thanks for joining my fan club, I will check out your work ASAP.Blessings to you! Teresa
Looks like you've got this thing pretty well figured out. Way to go girl!Hi Ella, thanks for stopping by. I appreciate the comment. Blessings to you! Teresa
*** I agree with you on about 50% of what you said here Teresa, therefore I can only give you a 3 rating. This article sounds like the Rodney King plea, "Can't we all just get along?!"*** If something has been said before and another is repeating it in a different way it's still much the same; only the second time around it's less original, and more boring. A thing to avoid for any writer.You wrote: " It's not about what I like, or don't like, it's about how well the writer conveys his or her message."*** Yes, conveying a message is of paramount importance, but I feel if I'm incapable of writing things that elicit my readers to think, act, or to experience even the simplest emotion - then I have failed myself and them.*** For example, if I were to take an article I saw online that maybe mentioned let's say, 22 American service people were killed by bombs the night before in Afghanistan, and I took this information to use for a SearchWarp article, I owe it to those I am writing to to not only convey it in all it's proper format and technical senses, but to also write in a way that questions and excites responses. That's what good writers do, and I'm still not there yet.*** Look at even the radio talk shows. They don't go on air with the mind-set, "Please be nice and respectful when calling in." If they did they'd be on the air for about a week. No! The idea is to push people just enough to get a fire burning at both ends! This is how news is sold.*** Normally the writer or host will present a piece, then they'll share the opposing views of eye-witnesses or those who were responsible or take responsibility, and finally they'll spark reader and caller emotion by asking, "What do YOU think about this?" "How do YOU feel about this?" "Who do you think should be to blame?" What can be done about this so it doesn't happen again?" etc. etc.*** Their job is to pass along the information with strings of quotes and perspectives from those who have something to say about it because if not, the item is nothing more than just an emotionless bit of data.*** Sometimes feelings need to be hurt or "pinched" in order to get some people to become a part of what's going on. All people at one time or another need a good shove to avoid complacency, and I often times am guilty of it! That's where people like you come in Teresa. You can help me be a better writer by lighting a fire under me if you agree or disagree with what I wrote. Please! Kick me square in the n*ts from time to time so I don't fall asleep!*** I have read your writings and comments and you are an intelligent woman, but to concern yourself with the feelings of the general populace is a waste of your talent. KICK SOME ASS WOMAN!! Go out there, grab an article, and present it to SearchWarp in such a way that will make us think, move, and hopefully act! You are way too good not to be attaching "attitude" to your work, or concerning yourself with feelings.*** As one writer to another; Throw yourself out there and see what happens. If you failed or crossed the line so what!! There's a thing called "apologizing.""Instead, there are many articles with a one star rating with comments that are all but constructive. A one star rating would indicate a piece containing extremely poor grammar, no story line, without information, and could rightly mean the writer has no business trying to write. Beyond the star rating, comes the comments that are crude, rude, and tears apart the writer instead offering constructive advice on the message."*** Here YOU seem to be doing exactly what you're scolding others about. You're insulting them by telling them how they should comment (Playing mommy) rather than accepting how they rate another work and what they write as a comment. If you wish for others to show respect for another writer's article, then you should just as much respect for the ratings and opinions of others. We are adults here Teresa. Trust me, most of us can handle the comments, spats, and tantrums.*** Prior to SearchWarp my only online membership was to a Google group entitled, Atheism vs Christianity. There, everything goes! There are F-words galore on that site, and I loved it! I liked it because if you're honest with yourself, it allows opportunity to find oneself. Some days I'd be calm as hell and in full control, and other days I'd "lose it" screaming bloody murder. But in the end it always works out. One person or group admitting loss of control, everyone kisses up, and then on to the next issue and debate. I found that individually we are all as equally dumb as we are smart, but the only way to know that and come to grips with who we are is to first light a fire under each others ass.*** Because I signed an agreement with the SearchWarp team about their policies, I am learning that I am now in another house and must respect their rules. Sometimes I don't like the rules, but it is their house, they invited me in, and they have all the right in the world to set standards and boundaries, just as I have a responsibility to obey those rules. I have personally apologized to Bruce Horst for some of my prior "unfavorable" words here on SearchWarp and I am sure I will again in the future, but once I fully get the feel for the people and the SearchWarp agenda I know I will be a greater asset." I don't understand why some people have to be so mean to those they disagree with. It makes it as if the one who is doing the belittling thinks that everyone should agree with them – after all, any thought contrary is a case for stupidity – so they say."*** There are many ways a person can be mean and some of them have nothing to do with outright "word" insults. Those type of insults are easy to handle. However, others are not. There is a woman on here who is hailed as a "Goddess" by many, yet she can be one of the most insulting in her own way. One day I questioned her about some things and because of her discomfort with my questions she told me she would PRAY FOR ME!What bigger insult than that I ask? This lady knows nothing about me, yet she said she'd pray for me as though I were defective. I wrote back and asked her how she obtained this ability to be above me and how sheconcluded I needed her or her God's help. It was apparent she volunteered her services as my psychologist and savior. What an insult!She wasn't there when I was married nor divorced. She never witnessed any of my children being born, nor the bumps and bruises we endured together as I struggled to be the best father I could be.This woman wasn't there when I struggled for years with cocaine addiction. She wasn't there when I was recovering for that same addiction while taking care of my terminally ill mother and also nursing a trouble teenager who survived sexual molestation at the hands of her mother's landlord.This woman wasn't there when I was diagnosed as "major depressive" after a stay in a mental health facility. Nope! Her and her God had no idea about me, but now after coming out the other side - stronger than ever - this lady is going to "fix" me with her prayers. What an as*hole!!*** She is the type of person I enjoy most though because she "believes" she is so wonderful and has the ability to zap others into God- righteousness. Such pretentiousness makes me laugh and I'm always up for a good joke.*** So what I'm saying Teresa is, sometimes the things that we think are bad for us are actually good. Don't think for a minute that harsh criticisms and words are to be avoided. The thing you should most fear and avoid is the people who think they are better than you. Take on the criticisms and comments with authority and learn from them! Their only words. And fear not when you make a complete ass of yourself in judgment of others with your words - for once again their only words. I have inserted my foot in my mouth more than I care to remember and I ain't done yet, but I have learned so much because of it. Proudly most of my understanding comes from "pushing buttons" and sitting back to see from which direction the fireworks will come from. If you don't do that for me Teresa, I will always feel as though you let me down.*** Okay, back to working on my next article. You've taken up enough of my time lady. :) (wink - wink)
PS: How does a writer view their ratings anyway? I have no clue how to do that.Hi Kenny, sorry it took so long to respond. Thank you for your civil and gracious response. I agree that there are many sites where bad language and crude disagreement are acceptable and invited, but Searchwarp is not one of them. And it is the responsiblity of all who choose to join us follow the guidelines. I am one who can hold my own, I don't bow out when I am attacked, I just that my approach is much different than yours and I don't believe I have to be mean to disagree.As far as this "woman" you speak of, she has a heart for people and the capacity to have a love for those she has never met. This is a beautiful thing. In all she says to you, there is no self-righteousness or all knowing attitude, just a desire for you to have peace. She may not have been there when you struggled with your issues, but that doesn't mean that her heart doesn't break for you. She has been very open to share her weaknesses and bouts with alcoholism and other areas of her life. That to me does not sound like a pretentious person. Only one who wants to share the One who set her free.I do the same and so do many others who are not into "God" but other things that brought peace and change to their lives. But I thank you for sharing your take on "this woman" because she represents many of us and perhaps it will help us to think about how our intent to encourage might be preceived entirely different.Your reader rating is the stars that people give when they comment on an article. OH! As far as me scolding others regarding the ratings, that is not true because as I pointed out, the questions asked are objective. Either there is correct grammar or not, that is not opinion - it is a yes or no answer, so if a well written piece is only given one star, the rater did not follow the instructions. This is what I am pointing out.Thanks again for your comment - glad to have taken up your time :-)
Away back when, may folks used to tell me "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". I still try to use this as my comment rule.Hello WhiteGryr - thanks for reading and commenting. I think this saying needs to be re-circulated :-) Welcome to searchwarp!! I look forward to reading your work. Blessings!
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