SCORESHEET

ENTRY CODE:		JUDGE:
TITLE OF ENTRY:
CATEGORY (Indicate with X)
Futuristic [ ]	Erotic FF&P [ ]		Paranormal [ ]
Fantasy [ ]	Time Travel [ ]		FF&P with romantic elements [ ]

YOUR SCORE

/160

SCORING SCALE:

5: Excellent ~ ready to publish

4: Very Good ~ needs minor revisions

3: Good ~ moderate revisions suggested

2: Fair ~ substantial revisions suggested

1: Not fully developed ~ major revisions suggested

Please note~ a score of 3 or less must include comments. No zero allowed except where noted within the synopsis category.

GENERAL FORMATTING: (Possible Score: 1-5 points)

_____ Are the 20 manuscript pages double-spaced, with readable typeface and sufficient margins? Please do not take points off for “incorrect” font (unless it is a script or other such font that is difficult to read), for number of lines on the page, for the order of the header, etc.

Please explain your score.

GRAMMAR & PUNCTUATION: (Possible Score: 1-5 points)

_____ Subject/verb agreement, proper use of periods and commas, etc. Please note that entries from other countries may contain usage and punctuation different from that used in America. If in doubt, do not take points off.

Please explain your score.

OPENING SCENE: (Possible Score: 1-15 points)

_____ Is the opening paragraph compelling?

_____ Does it make you want to continue reading?

_____ Does the manuscript begin in the right place?

Please explain your score.

CRAFT: (Possible Score: 1-30 points)

_____ Is there good use of the 5 senses?

_____ Showing rather than telling?

_____ Active writing?

_____ Did the author use basic writing techniques in a way that the story shines through and draws the reader in without jarring and intruding?

_____ Is the tone consistent throughout the entry?

_____ Point of view handled appropriately?

Please explain your score.

CHARACTERIZATION & MOTIVATION: (Possible Score: 1-30 points)

_____ Are the characters sympathetic?

_____ Are they distinct?

_____ Is emotion well-drawn and appropriate to the situation?

_____ Are flaws and virtues, if demonstrated, unique to each character?

_____ Can you identify with the character?

_____ Are goals, motivations, and conflicts clear?

Please explain your score.

PLOT & CONFLICT: (Possible Score: 1-25 points)

_____ Are internal and/or external conflict(s) well defined for each main character?

_____ Is conflict organic, i.e. arising out of characterization and circumstance rather than misunderstanding and irritability?

_____ Is it enough to sustain a full novel? (Note: entries may be category or single-title length.)

_____ Does premise avoid cliché and/or bring a fresh perspective to an old idea?

_____ Is the way characters act or react to events plausible?

Please explain your score.

PACING: (Possible Score: 1-10 points)

_____ Do scenes progress in a realistic, compelling manner?

_____ Does the story move along at an appropriate pace, without rushing or dragging?

Please explain your score.

SETTING AND WORLDBUILDING: (Possible Score: 1-15 points)

_____ Is there a clear sense of time and place?

_____ Is the world building believable and/or unobtrusive to plot development?

_____ Is the FF&P element integral to the plot?

Please explain your score.

DIALOGUE: (Possible Score: 1-20 points)

_____ Is the dialogue natural, not stilted or overly narrative?

_____ Does dialogue move the story forward without rehashing information?

_____ Are characters’ voices consistent and distinct from one another?

_____ Is there an appropriate mix of dialogue and narrative?

Please explain your score.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: (Possible Score: 1-10 points)

______ From strictly a reader’s point of view, did you enjoy reading this entry?

______ Do you want to read more?

Please explain your score.

_____ TOTAL SCORE (place in box on first page)

Additional Comments:

Judge’s Name (optional):

Not Published [ ] PRO [ ] Published, Romance [ ] Published, Other Genres [ ]