Broad Genre – is the story prose, poetry, or drama? What leads you to

believe this?

Sub - Genre – Is there a mix of genres? If so, which ones are present and

what elements do you see that direct you towards that conclusion?

Opening – What engages you in the beginning? Could it have a better first

line? More in the first paragraph? Are there story hooks in the first

paragraphs? What makes you want to keep reading? If you are not

interested in reading on, why not? What is missing? What has the writer

done instead? Some writers use a “runway” and the story starts on page 2

or 3.

Characters/Setting – Is it clear who the main character is? The Point of

Interest? Where the story is taking place? Is there enough setting and detail

to help you imagine the world? Has the writer threaded in the details well

enough?

Antagonist/Conflict - Is there a clear antagonist? What is creating conflict

in the story? Does the conflict interest you – why or why not? How would

you increase conflict (without being melodramatic)?

Plot Development– Is there a sense of the story developing? Do you feel

drawn in? Halfway through, do you want to keep reading? Why or why

not?

Climax – Is there a climax or an epiphany or realization of some kind?

What is it? Can you define it as the reader? Is it the highest point of the

story?

Ending – What happens at the end? Does it satisfy you? Is it over-

explained, or not clear? Is the main question in the story answered?

Theme – When you have finished reading the story, do you have a

sense of theme? Do you know what the writer was trying to show you?

Is there a lesson to be learned?

Reflection – Looking back, can you identify any holes, slow passages,

things that didn’t work for you? Can you say why they didn’t work?

(Answering this kind of question is what helps you as a writer.)