by David Dewitt

Created on: March 26, 2009

Helium does not review each article before it is posted on the site. Instead, Helium uses a peer rating system to grade the quality of each article. There is no written basis for criteria to judge ratings on Helium. The following is a listing of personal criteria used in my rating of articles on Helium.

Criteria for Consideration in Rating at Helium

Article is off topic

Writing an article that does not address the topic should always get a negative rating. No matter how good the article is if it is not on topic, rate negatively. The writer has not paid close enough attention to the topic or the title to write an appropriate article. Many times the articles are simply in the wrong title.

Spelling Errors

Watch for spelling errors in writing. This is a common mistake and easily corrected. However, many writers will not take the time to make the corrections. With the advent of spell check and automated spell checking features, writers are getting lazy when it comes to checking their spelling. Spelling errors will usually gat a negative rating.

Poor writing quality

Writing that has poor sentence structure, choppy sentences and quick unfinished thoughts is difficult to read. The more difficult an article is to read the more likely it is to get a negative rating. Be sure to write in a clear and concise manner.

Confused Writing

Articles that lack organization are like cars without gasoline, they go nowhere. Be sure that there is a clear opening, an organized body and a clear conclusion. By organizing the article there is a greater chance for a higher rating and additional readers.

Repeating the Article Title

Many articles repeat the title in the first line. The repetition is completely unnecessary unless for dramatic or thematic effect. This form of repetition is a pet peeve for many Helium writers and should be rated accordingly.

Ambiguous writing

Being ambiguous or vague in short article is simply a waste of effort and writing time. Ambiguous writing makes it appear that the writer does not know the subject material or they do not have the ability to write well. Vague writing should always garner a negative rate.

Informational Errors

Write what you know and know what you write. The moment that it becomes clear that the writer does not have knowledge of the article topic the rating will almost always be negative.

Grammatical Errors

Proper grammar should be a priority for writers. Being able to say the right words is an amazing ability but being able to say the right words in the right manner is absolutely necessary in writing. Poor grammar destroys good writing in a hurry and should be a consideration when rating.

Rating is far from being perfect and there are times when addressing poorly written articles is the right thing to do. Remember when rating that no one is perfect, not even you. If an article is poor quality writing then address it but keep in mind these three things.

Be Fair

Be Kind

Be Constructive
By doing these three things, you will not only help the writer in question but the Helium community as a whole.

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