@Blake Jack:

Trust me, I know, but there are too many people out there who really don't make an effort to write properly. Your way of writing, for example, is good because it's understandable and polite. I've always thought that using chatspeak all the time or not trying to be coherent shows lack of respect towards the person you're talking to.

Amazing. But remember, not everyone has english as their mother language, including me.

@Aaryanna:

You're right, sorry for overlooking that point. I guess it slipped my mind while I was writing it. I suppose the Word part would be good for those who think they're too good to use basic programs to check their spelling.
Nonetheless, thank you for the observations. I'll keep an eye out for stuff like this next time I write.

You've got some good points but I do want to point one major flaw out in your paper... and that would be this here:

However, these aren’t precise all the time and errors might still exist. To eliminate these errors, use Microsoft Word (this isn’t some random advertisement, this is advice).

I know you're not advertising, however, a program like Word isn't free. Getting it, even the supposedly cheaper version for students runs to the tune of about $150.00 So that’s really very poor advice since a huge percentage of the people you’re giving this advice to are High School students who can’t afford a program like that.

The advice needs to be a bit more real and something your readers can actually use without the need to fork over money if they aren’t lucky enough to already have it. A good example would be to recommend using a browser like Firefox since it has a very basic automatic spell check feature that works as you are literally typing up the comment. Plus it’s free. You can also recommend a free site like say dictionary.com since you can put a misspelled word in and the search function will toss back the most likely correct spelling.

Both of those are good options that don’t require your audience to actually buy anything new. Also, if someone is putting in good effort to tell you what they really think? A few grammar errors along with spelling shouldn’t even be looked at. They are after all taking the time to comment on your work.

~*Aaryanna*~

@Caitiy:

Thank you very much for the comment and appreciation Yes, I have been studying English for more than 10 years now and I like it a lot!
I find myself in a pinch too whenever I have to comment on fan art, since I'm not that savvy about it. I try to offer comments without sounding too "expert" or hurting people's feelings but sometimes I mess up and apologize, of course :)
Sometimes newbies comment with less useful information, but they can be excused since they're new to it. What really annoys is me is seeing people who have a certain level of experience on the Internet but still behave like the first time they posted on a forum.
I do agree with being aware of your level, it's crucial when commenting.

This is definitely a great feature - very detailed^^ (was that enough of a comment for you...?^^') By the way, I agree with you about the grammar thing - I always find that really annoying0.o

Great essay-beautifully done, I was actually scared to comment on this after reading it! I really like this, it was a very unique idea that really needed to be touched upon!
Great job!

Oh wow, what a great (ie useful) guide. I agree with the previous comments and pretty much all of the points you have made. If someone likes something I have done – great, but I want to know why. And, if not same deal, why? Few people take the time to make these sorts of useful comments and I treasure the few I do receive.

That being said this often deters me from leaving a comment since I rarely have more to say about something aside from the fact that I really like it for whatever reason. For fiction I can generally express what it is I have enjoyed about a particular piece, or what it is that I might not enjoy as much. Constructive criticism, or concrit as many abbreviate, is always appreciated, but is only useful coming from someone who knows what they are talking about.

Unfortunately, as far as art goes I can offer little constructive criticism since I haven’t had any sort of training and posses little knowledge of the procedures used to create art. (A couple classes in high school does not an art critic make.) Often I’m left trying to decide between commenting to tell the artist that I really enjoyed the piece without a solid reason why, or leaving a piece I really enjoy without a comment because I am unable to articulate just what it is that has really made me love it. I suppose it can just plain be a difficult line to tread. (One not many people realize is there.)

On a completely different note altogether, your English is really quite good for a non-native speaker. From your writing I’d say you’d be in one of my highest level classes. I was impressed when I read that English was not your first language. – Your Friendly Neighborhood Conversational ESL/EFL teacher.

Thank you for the appreciation, everyone ^_^ I'm glad this guide was useful! I thought it was about time something like this existed, since spam has become quite a problem on TheO, especially among the Otakuites (no offense to those who provide useful comments). Thank you again!

finaly! some one who writes a guide regarding this manner! i thank you for bringing this to the publics attention, i couldnt agree with you more on most (if not all) of the points you made.

alot of the times, little comments like "its so kawaii!!!!!!!!!!!=^.^=" are so annoying, i would like to know why its so "kawaii" and so i can use that for future wallpapers, it angers me. though i wont lie, i have written a few comments like that before..

Unfortunately I'm unable to read this fully at the moment, since I'm supposed to be working on homework, but I'm sure I will like it all nonetheless. I've always loved getting detailed comments from people, and I absolutely hate it when people say stupid little things like "It's cute" or use bad grammar. I'm so glad you wrote this, since I'm sure a lot of people will be reading -- and, hopefully, using -- your advice.

Sorta reminds me of this HUGE flame war I once had with icefoxchan....

I just read this and wrote a comment, but I somehow got logged out. :( Poof, no more comment...so unfortunately this'll be shorter! Sorry!

I think this is awesome! Yet another beautifully written guide. :3 Did you submit it as a fan word? To be published? You totally should because it's very helpful! Angelbest Dream submitted one similar, but both of yours are different; I like it! All of the points you made were very helpful and specific. :3 How about a "how to deal with comments" section? Cause I definitely have trouble handling certain constructive criticism. :/

Great job again. Thanks for writing this! [By the way, the links weren't set up right so they weren't working.]

@:

That happens to me too, even though I rarely submit fan art any more.
I know, it's long ^_^" It took me several days of on-and-off work because I wanted to discuss every aspect. Thank you for the comment.