English/Schwartz

Short Story Revision

 

Author’s Name: ________________________________________________

Reader’s Name: ________________________________________________

 

Read the story through once.  Then answer the following the questions and complete the following tasks.

 

 


I. Opening  Does the story have an engaging opening (dialogue, action, description, striking statement)?  ____________  If not, suggest some ideas for one: __________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 


II. Plot

Does the author provide clear background information (establishes characters, setting, situation)? _______

______________________________________________________________________________________________

What is the main conflict of the story? ____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Does the conflict present a proper dilemma for the protagonist, or is it too easy, too impossible, or not a real problem the protagonist faces?  ______________________________________________________________

Does the conflict rise to a clear climax? ___________________________________________________________

Is the conflict resolved in a believable way? _______________________________________________________

What does the main character learn from having experienced the conflict? (This should help to convey the theme) _______________________________________________________________________________________

Suggestions for improving the conflict/plot: ______________________________________________________

 

 


III. Characterization

Are the characters believable and well-developed? _________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is indirect characterization (dialogue, action, etc.) used to develop the characters rather than the writer simply telling about them? Point out here an example of good characterization. ______________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Is a physical description of the character given? ___________________________________________________

 

 

 


IV. Setting

Is the setting clear?   What details helped you to see the setting clearly? _______________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

How does the setting contribute to the mood of the story? __________________________________________

 

 


V. Theme

What is the theme of the story? __________________________________________________________________

How is the theme conveyed, or does it need to be made more clear? _______________________________­___

______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

VI. Mood

What is the mood of the story? __________________________________________________________________

How is the mood conveyed, or does it need to be made more clear? __________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 


VII. Point of View

What is the point of view used in the story? _______________________________________________________

Is it consistent and clear throughout? _____________________________________________________________

 

 

 


VIII. Overall

 

Beginning        Character         Mood 

 

Middle            Setting             Theme

 

End                 Plot                  POV
 
Perhaps the story is not long enough, or it just needs work in certain areas.  Circle items you think the author needs to work on, by adding, deleting, or revising details. Use symbols to indicate the changes you think s/he should make: 

Expand: +

Delete parts:  —

Revise:                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


IX. Conventions and Formatting

Check off each task when completed.

_____ Underline words, phrases, or sentences that you especially like.

_____ Draw a wavy line under words, phrases, or sentences that are unclear.

_____ Is the author using proper paragraphing?  Put a anywhere a new paragraph needs to start.

_____ Are there any parts when something seems to be missing, when you didn’t understand how the writer got from one sentence to another?  If so, draw an X between those parts.

_____ Circle and errors you find in spelling, punctuation, or grammar.