logistics questions: the mods might certainly be capable, but what moderator will want to volunteer the time it will take to check all the material submitted to be critiqued and pick the one piece that will be used? what criteria will be applied in making such decisions? who will draw up the criteria and how, when critiquing styles are poles apart [short, to-the-point ones are often more helpful than long, involved ones not providing good advice]? what period of submittal time will there be between the posting of the subject piece and the posting of critiques and then for the judging of same? who will the judges be [should be more than one, but only a few have the expertise to judge critiques knowledgeably; should not be judged by a poll, since they are too often popularity contests and details re decisions must be provided, for the contest to do anyone any good] and who will appoint them?
I don't think a critiquing contest is going to work either. Some good points have been made against it. However... if you do want to encourage critiquing, why not just praise someone when they write a particularly good critique? Add a little message below in the thread, or even give that person some reputation, along with a little note praising the wonderful critique. You don't even need to have much reputation giving power. Most people appreciate a pat on the back whether or not points are involved.
