Charter
Oak Romance Writers
Golden Acorn Excellence in Writing Contest
GENERAL SCORESHEET
Total
Possible Score -- 120 Points
Entry
#
|
Judge
#
|
Total
Score:
|
Title:
|
To
Judge:
Please rate each area 1-5 with 5 being the highest. You also may write
directly on the manuscript. Comments are encouraged and should be given
if the score is 3 or lower.
5 = Outstanding, publishable quality
4 = Excellent; minor revisions needed
3 = Good; some areas for improvement noted
2 = Fair; has potential but considerable revision recommended
Opening
(30 Points)
|
____Do you
get a sense of what the protagonist's life was like before the
incident for change occurs?
____Is there a clear incident that changes the protagonist's world?
____How intrigued were you by the situation?
____Do you care about the main characters within the first few
pages?
____Is there a sense of time and place (setting)?
____Is the mood clear?
Comments:
|
Characterization
(20 Points)
|
Hero:
_____Is the
hero a real, three-dimensional person? Is he sympathetic or likeable
despite possible flaws?
_____Are the hero's goals introduced? Is the hero's motivation
evident and believable?
Comments:
|
Heroine:
_____Is the heroine a real, three-dimensional person? Is she sympathetic
or likeable despite possible flaws?
_____Are the heroine's goals introduced? Is the heroine's motivation
evident and believable?
Comments:
|
Style:
(30 points)
|
____Is POV
consistent and clear? Are we are seeing things only from that
person's viewpoint, as opposed to the narrator viewpoint?
____Is the POV deep enough for the reader to connect to the characters
and story?
____Are actions and emotions shown rather than told? Does the
writing allow the reader to connect with the story and characters
by showing us what is happening?
____Are you emotionally invested in the story and wanting to read
on?
____Do sensory details, word choice and setting enhance the mood
of the story?
____Does the background information/backstory enhance the story
without being intrusive?
Comments:
|
Plot:
(20 points)
|
____Is the
story line fresh, or does the author at least make it seem so?
____Does the entry progress satisfactorily and end on a note that
makes you want to keep reading?
____Is the conflict strong enough to carry the plot?
____Does the pacing hold your interest, without dragging or feeling
rushed?
____Does each scene contain conflict or move the story forward?
Comments:
|
Dialogue:
(10 points)
|
_____Is the
dialogue natural, not stilted or overly narrative?
_____Is dialogue used effectively to deepen characterization and
move the story?
Comments:
|
General
(10 Points)
|
_____Overall
impression of story?
_____Is this manuscript reasonably free of mechanical errors?
Minimal typos or comma concerns should be ignored.
Comments:
|
Judge's
signature
(optional) _______________________________________________________
Judge's Bio (required, check
all that apply)
|
_____ Unpublished
_____ Unpublished, Pro
_____ Contest Finalist
_____ Contest Winner
_____ Published, fiction novel length
_____ Published, other
|
Constructive Comments: No point value. Judges are encouraged
but not obligated to offer comments and suggestions that may prove helpful
to authors.
- What
did you especially like/dislike about the characters? Why?
- What
areas do you feel were handled the best? (Tell
why if appropriate).
- What
areas do you feel need work?
(Tell why, offer suggestions)
- Would
you continue to read this book? Why or why not? Please remember
to give constructive feedback
|
|