You The Critic
This is written to give guidance on criticising short stories
.
Don't forget, when criticising another person's work, you are in a position of
trust.
The author of that work is trusting you enough to make a valued criticism of
what may be
something special to him or her.
DO NOT criticise for the sake of it.
DO NOT make negative criticisms, try to give alternatives.
DO take a lot of care with how you critisise another's work.
1. Opening
Hooks - Is the story grabbing from the first line? Does it make
you want to read on?
Introduction of Central Character - Is the Central character
introduced early in the story.
Scene Setting - Can you picture the scene early enough in the
story or have you already imagined your own?
Problem Description - Can you tell what problem confronts the
central character soon enough or are you left wondering what the
story is all about?
2. Characterisation
Central Character - Does he/she appear in the first few lines?
- Is it clearly defined who the central
character is?
- Do you have sympathy with the central
character? (This does not mean likable).
Other characters
- Are they easily definable or do they get
confused with others?
- Do they seem
authentic?
- Can you easily tell who they
sympathise with?
- Do the character's names match the characters?
3. Dialogue
Does the dialogue sound authentic?
Is it all meaningful?
Does it read well? (If when spoken aloud the reader changes it,
this might mean it needs some attention.)
4. Setting
Does it seem the right place for the story?
If it is a real place, has the author researched it enough.
If it is a fictitious place, has the author planned the
setting(s) carefully, making it seem alive and real.
5. Conflicts
Are the conflicts in the story authentic or do they seem
artificial?
Are the conflicts original?
6. Suspense Value
Do you want to know what is going to happen next?
Does the story go well from action to action.
7. Ending
Is the ending concise or does it ramble on?
Does it need a lot of explanation?
Is it clear what has happened?
Does it seem flat?
8. Structure
Has the plot been developed well throughout the story?
Are the characters described in time or after you've imagined
them for yourself?
Are the actions well planned and run well in sequence?
Do flashbacks seem well placed and relevant?
Is the time span suitable for the story or should it take place
over a longer or shorter period of time?
Is the time span feasible? (Could the events have taken place
in the given time span?)
9. Plot
Is it original?
Does it sound authentic?
Is it contrived?
10. General Impression
Did you enjoy it?
In general are the descriptions clear, over emphasised or not
clear enough.
Contributed by 'The Team'
