Your Own Story Assessment

Setting

Does the writer develop a clear sense of the environment in which action takes place?

Are objects and places described with vivid language and sensory details?

Do we know approximately when the story takes place (e.g. in the past or far future)?

Does the reader understand the social milieu -- the rules of conduct in the society?

Characters

Are characters sufficiently developed for the scope of the story?

Do we have a vivid impression of the central characters’ mental and physical attributes?

Are the characters’ actions consistent with their motivation and circumstances?

Do characters experience a shift or growth during the story?

Dialogue

Is the amount of dialogue appropriate for the story?

Does it serve to bring characters and plot to life?

Is diction “in character” for each speaker?

Is dialogue sufficiently condensed?

Are conventional mechanics and paragraphing used?

Plot

Does the plot sustain convincing movement or progression?

Are vehicles such as flashbacks used effectively?

Are conflicts within or between characters dramatized?

Are conflicts resolved?

Does the writer use the active voice – with active verbs?

Does the writer SHOW, rather than TELL what happens?

Theme

Does the story convey an idea about human limitations or “the human condition”?

Do real life issues or problems have a role in the story?

Are these issues handled in a creative and satisfying manner?

Does the story offer a warning about our current course of action in real life?

Point of View

Is the point of view (first or third person) appropriate for the story?

Is it consistent?

Form

Does the story have a title that sparks interest and anticipates the story?

Is the syntax or sentence structure well thought out and grammatical?

Is diction varied, vivid and appropriate?

Is the story condensed and honed?

Are conventional mechanics and paragraphing used?

Is there evidence that the writer proofread, edited and revised?