CONTENT:
If this is an assigned monthly exercise (or book submission), did the story stick to the topic?
What's happening in the story? Is there a plot?
--- (Note - If the writer has to explain the story to the readers, he/she didn't express it properly.)
Is there an underlying theme or lesson?
Does the story make sense? Is it written coherently?
Is the story memorable in some way? Does it make you smile/laugh; bring a tear; cause a shiver; unusual visuals; touch the soul?
Is the content "preachy?" Does it reveal the writer's bias?
Is the ending too predictable?
Are we left hanging? Is that the writer's intention?
Did you like the story? Why or why not?
STYLE:
Is the genre compatible with the story?
Is there dialogue? Is it appropriate to the characters and plot?
Is the narrative portion easy to follow, and is the language (vocabulary & phrasing) appropriate to the topic?
If using a metaphor, is it consistent all the way through?
Does imagery or symbolism enhance the story?
It the story humorous, sad, exciting, scary, mysterious?
Is the story written in an appropriate point of view? Could the story be improved by choosing a different one? (* See below for definitions)
Is the "tone" formal, casual, humorous, ostentatious, crude, simplistic?
Is the sentence structure varied, awkward, monotonous? Are there too many long sentences, too many short ones?
Are there any cliche's or trite phrases? Too many repetitions of the same word?
CHARACTERS:
Is there a main character, and if so, is he believable?
What are the character's motives?
Is the character's dialogue appropriate?
Does the character have an interesting flaw, or is he "flat", stereotypical?
SETTING:
Is there enough information about the story's time and location? Is there too much of it?
MECHANICS:
Are there misspelled words, missing words or typos?
Is the punctuation adequate (neither overly used or underused)?
Erroneous or missing punctuation?
Are the paragraphs too long?
Is the point of view consistent throughout?
Are the verb tenses consistent?
If there are incomplete sentences (clauses) do they detract from the story?
Does the story look good on the page? ( Consider font size and style)
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* Basic Definitions of Point of View
First person "I" tell the story and I am a character in the plot
Second Person - an unknown narrator addresses "you" as the subject of most sentences.
Third Person - The narrator of the story sees all and knows all but does not insert him or herself into the plot