Hatrack River Writers Workshop: critiquing guidelines (set 3)

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Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

G E N E R A L C R I T I Q U E R ' S G U I D E

Instructions: Mark the letter that applies. If other than "A" comment as
appropriate. Use extra sheets if necessary. This guide is based on Barry
Longyear's SCIENCE FICTION WRITER'S WORKSHOP I, so if you are confused about
what is meant by a particular item, please refer to the pertinent discussion
in that book.

Story Title:_______________________________________________________
Author's Name:_____________________________________________________
Critiquer's Name:__________________________________________________

1. Hook
A--real grabber! B--not strong enough C--does not relate to story
Comments:

2. Backfill
A--great explanation! B--too much lecture C--wrong type
Comments:

3. Point of view
A--perfect story teller! B--wrong narrative form
Comments:

4. Character(s) (secondary)
A--believable! B--too strong C--too weak D--unnecessary
Comments:

5. Title
A--fits nicely! B--don't understand
Comments:

6. Buildup(s)
A--cliff hanger! B--scenes too similar C--too much wandering D--wrong
pacing
Comments:

7. Bright and/or Dark Moment(s)
A--I really felt them! B--not emotional enough
Comments:

8. Plants
A--you made it believable! B--too obvious C--not enough
Comments:

9. Trailer
A--good wind up! B--serves no purpose
Comments:

10. Seams
A--seamless! B--too obvious
Comments:

11. Plot
A--the equation is complete! B--incomplete
Comments:

12. Climax
A--beautiful resolution! B--not intense enough C--could not identify
Comments:

13. Conflict (primary)
A--intense! B--could not identify obstacle
Comments:

14. Story Purpose
A--mission accomplished! B--nothing identifiable accomplished
Comments:

15. Scenes
A--nicely painted! B--need more C--need fewer
Comments:

16. Author (mechanics)
A--invisible! B--too obvious
Comments:

17. Character(s) (primary)
A--I can see him! B--not strong enough C--did not change D--no
motivation E--no conflict
Comments:

18. Ending
A--could not have said it better! B--main conflict not resolved C--other
loose ends D--not believable E--unsatisfying
Comments:

19. Manuscript (format, etc)
A--you could teach! B--problems
Specifics:

20. Nit-picker's Area
Comments:

21. Other Comments:

Thanks go to Larry D Chambliss for compiling this guide.

Kathleen

Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

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