Questions to Ask while Reading a Creative Writing Project
1.
Description -
Is the writing effective? -
Does the writer appeal to as many senses as possible,
not just sight but touch, taste, smell and hearing? -
Is the setting clear (both in space and time)? -
Does the writer show the reader this world rather
than tell us about it? 2.
Characterization -
Is there one main character? -
Is that main character described and characterized in
detail? -
Is the main character a real person instead of
‘wooden’ or ‘typical’? -
What function does each minor character play in the
action? -
Are the minor characters sufficiently differentiated
from each other? 3.
Point of
View -
Can you identify the story’s narrator? -
Is this point of view consistent throughout? -
How near or far from the action is the narrator? -
Does he or she participate in the action? Does that
work? 4.
Plot
(Implied Thesis) -
Does the central character pass through a
transforming experience? -
Does the central character pursue an objective and
have to overcome obstacles to that objective? -
Are the events of the story plausible? -
Does the writer create suspense? Is the reader
interested in what will happen next? -
Is the ending plausible? Is it the only and right
conclusion? Why or why not? 5.
Dialogue -
Is the dialogue realistic? Do the characters sound
like real people? -
Does the writer put in dialogue to appropriately
dramatic moments? 6.
Title -
Is the title of the piece meaningful? -
Does the title add to the piece or detract from it? 7.
Presentation -
Is the story/essay typed and double-spaced? -
Is it error free in terms of punctuation, spelling,
and grammar? |