Critique Guidance

How did you feel while reading the piece?

Did you empathize with the characters?

Did you ever get lost, confused or lose interest? If so, where?

Does the story use the most effective point of view?

Is there a clear and consistent voice to the story?

Did the story move too fast, too slow or just right? Are any scenes unnecessary to move the story forward?

Does the main character have a clear problem or goal? Are the stakes high enough?

Does the writing grab readers? Is there enough conflict to make things interesting?

Does the piece of writing begin in the right place? Are the right events included at the right level of detail and the right order? Is the arc/outcome satisfying?

Do the characters seem real and have some complexity?

Is each character important to the story?

Does the dialogue move the plot forward?

Is the dialogue realistic and natural? Is it consistent with the character’s personality?

Do the dialogue tags get in the way?

Is dialogue being used to data dump?

Did you feel like you were there?

Are the characters, description and dialogue consistent with the setting?

Did you lose interest with long descriptions of setting?

Do descriptions use the five senses?

Are descriptions given through the lens of a character?

Telling (instead of showing)

Overuse of adjectives or adverbs

Spelling & grammar errors

Passive voice (use active voice instead - Incorrect: Alan was handed a flower by the little girl. Correct: The little girl handed Alan a flower.