Short Story Evaluation
A good short story includes the following:
Interesting & appropriate title
Plot
Theme / message
Narrative style: telling a story
Structure: Introduction, development, conflict, climax, resolution / conclusion
Strong introduction & conclusion: introduction hooks the reader, conclusion leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Conflict/ issue / problem: introduced & resolved.
Suspense: The story must hold the reader’s interest. The problem presented early in the story is developed steadily so that the reader’s curiosity is stimulated; the reader then becomes more and more involved in the story. Suspense reaches the highest point at the climax; this is the point where the problem is resolved in some way. This then leads to the resolutions of the story.
Tense: clear and consistent
Distinctive tone: formal, informal, chatty, lively, exciting etc..
Strong, interesting and varied characters
Narrator: who tells the story?
Clear point of view: first / third person
Paragraphs
Good punctuation, spelling & grammar
Setting: time & place
Varied range of expression: adjectives, verbs, similes, metaphors, sensual images / language, colour, varied sentence length (short & long: allows description and creates tension & suspense)
Dialogue: gives a good insight into characters, life styles, personalities, relationships
Proof read: have you answered who, what, when, where, why & how questions
Resolution: open or closed ending.
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