Pennwriters Writing Contest
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NonFiction/Article/Creative NonFiction Questions
Novel Beginning Questions
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Novel Beginning Judging Page
JUDGES- Enter your name & email here...in the event of questions
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PLEASE CHOOSE ONE ANSWER FOR EACH QUESTION
Hook:
Question 1
Does the story open with a compelling hook that makes you want to continue reading?
Question 1
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Setting:
Question 2
Does the setting provide a believable, appropriate and/or natural framework for the story?
Question 2
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 3
Are the main characters multidimensional with evidence that they are have weaknesses as well as strengths?
Question 3
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 4
Is the protagonist sufficiently interesting to produce empathy (or at least curiosity) in the reader?
Question 4
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3
2
1
U
se these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 5
Does the conflict arise believably from the characters’ motivations and goals?
Question 5
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 6
Is there sufficient conflict (internal and/or external) to sustain the reader’s interest?
Question 6
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 7
By the end of the story, does the reader have a strong sense of satisfaction that the conflict has been resolved and that the character has grown and changed?
Question 7
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Dialogue/Narrative/POV:
Question 8
Do the dialogue and narrative provide characterization and move the story and/or relationships forward?
Question 8
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 9
Does the author present the work with a distinctive voice and an engaging style of expression?
Question 9
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 10
Is each character’s voice consistent and appropriate for his/her age, education, gender, ethnicity, etc.?
Question 10
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 11
Is point of view handled correctly?
Question 11
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 12
Is the dialogue natural, not stilted or overly narrative?
Question 12
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Mechanics:
Question 13
Is the entry presented professionally and following the format required by the contest?
Is the manuscript free of typographical, spelling, and punctuation errors?
Question 13
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 14
Is the story told in a clear and focused manner without annoying overuse of adjectives and adverbs?
Question 14
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 15
Is the work without grammar errors; or, if errors exist, are they necessary for the story’s atmosphere?
Question 15
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Pacing/Flow:
Question 16
Does each scene have a clear and necessary relationship with the scenes that precede and follow it?
Question 16
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 17
Does the proportion of
showing
versus
telling
produce an active and engaging story flow?
Question 17
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 18
Are the necessary backstory and exposition presented in an artful and well-balanced manner via narration and/or dialogue?
Question 18
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Question 19
Is the pacing appropriate for the unfolding story – does it move rapidly enough to sustain interest?
Question 19
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
Effectiveness/Reader Response:
Question 20
Candidly assess the total impact of this short story. Realistically evaluate its likelihood of enticing a successful editor to publish it.
Question 20
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3
2
1
Use these Guidelines:
3- Excellent- Almost ready for publication as is
2- Solid- But could benefit from refinement
1- In Process- needs substantial work to meet its potential
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