Review Criteria

Title: 5 marks

-          Relevant to story and genre

-          Catches readers’ attention

-          Creative (only if applicable; some storylines are too limited)

Poster/Background/Design (if applicable, or it'll be graded under personal enjoyment): 5 marks

-          Quality of pictures are standardized (avoid putting low-quality pictures with high-quality pictures)

-          Suits the story’s theme and mood

-          Not excessively designed (don’t put so much colours and pictures until the readers’ head spin >.<)

-          No glaring colours that hurt the eyes and no colours that clash – unless it is intentional

-          Highly recommended: main characters are shown (not necessary for background)

Description/Foreword: 10 marks

-          Comprehensible (this is basic)

-          Necessary information available (omit irrelevant details)

-          Interests readers

-          Doesn’t have revealing information that could spoil the story

Characters: 15 marks

-          Readers should, after reading, have a basic knowledge of the characters (their hobbies, etc.)

-          Personalities of main characters well-defined

-          Emotions of main characters were shown

-          Feelings main characters have for others around them expressed

Plot: 30 marks

-          Fits description given

-          Makes sense

-          Interesting (not dull and monotonous)

-          Basic outline/planning/format for storyline is obvious* (unless you have the ability to write an interesting story even without a climax)

-          Characters chosen are used well and used appropriately

-          How author expresses his/her intentions for writing the story

* Exposition (Introduction of the main characters) --> Build-up/Rising Action (Series of events to build up suspense) --> Climax (Situation/Problem occurs) --> Falling action (What is done to solve the issue; Loose parts of the plot tied up and clarified) --> Conclusion/Resolution (Ending)

Flow/Pace: 5 marks

-          Story moves along smoothly (especially transition for flashbacks, foreshadowing, etc.)

-          No breaks or missing information/parts in story

-          Does not move at a snail’s pace; does not move so quickly vital details are skipped

Writing Style: 10 marks

-          Show, Don’t Tell (shows how the characters feel, etc.)

-          Uses an active tone, not passive by reducing redundant words (e.g. Change “She then went on to stack the papers.” --> “She stacked the papers.”)

-          Descriptions are good, but don’t give all fluff with little/no substance

-          Dialogue tags doesn’t contradict and are not used excessively

-          Adds actions and body language into conversations

-          Observe how different people react to a similar situation and give different perspectives

-          Points of view (P.O.V.) are clearly defined

Originality/Creativity: 5 marks

-          Story wasn’t copied/adapted from other sources

-          New ideas are strongly encouraged (it doesn’t matter if it seems a little crazy)

Punctuation/Spelling/Tenses/Grammar/Vocabulary: 15 marks

-          Punctuation goes inside quotation marks. (e.g. "My heart," Lee Joon wrote, "it’s still too early to fall down. It’s not hard for me at all.")

-          Proper comma usage

-          No errors in spelling

-          Correct usage of adjectives

-          Bare minimum: has a basic foundation vocabulary

Bonus: Max. 10 marks

-          Overall enjoyment

-          Effort

Highest Marks Achievable: 100 + Bonus

95-100 A* Distinction

90-94 A+

85-89 A

80-84 B+

75-79 B

70-74 C+

65-69 C

65 > If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.