● GENERAL ●
Cover and Title: 10
Blurb: 5
Opening Chapter: 10
Does the writer engage the reader's attention immediately?
Is tone, setting and character established quickly?
Characterization: 10
Are characters believable, well-rounded?
Actions and interactions consistent and well motivated?
Plot: 10
Does progression seem inevitable without being too predictable?
Is the story interesting and compelling to read?
Conflict: 10
Does the protagonist have a problem serious enough for the reader to care about?
Is it solved satisfactorily?
Protagonist and Antagonist: 10
Supporting Character: 5
Style and description: 10
Is writing fresh and free of cliches?
Does it reveal the writer's own vision and attitude clearly?
Are viewpoint changes and pacing handled smoothly?
Literary Devices: 10
Mechanics: 10
Is the word limit and the pace of the plot accurate?
Spelling accurate?
Is the manuscript professionally prepared?
Are historical details consistent and correct?
Length of chapters: 10
Grammar and Punctuation: 10
Message: 10
Enjoyment and Overall Impression: 20
TOTAL (150)
● POETRY ●
COVER: 5
TITLES OF ALL THE POETRIES: 10
MESSAGE & INTEREST: 10
Is the message clear?
Is it a good message, or is it of little value to anyone?
Is the subject matter profound, or is it trite?
TECHNICAL EXCELLENCIES: 15
Does it have the proper form for the type of poem: Haiku, Villanelle, Sonnet, Tanka, Limerick, etc.
Is it titled appropriately?
Should the lines be shortened?
Is there proper "economy" of thoughts and words?
Should the overall poem be shortened and streamlined?
Does it reveal too much and leave little to the imagination, or does it not reveal enough?
CHOICE OF WORDS & READABILITY: 10
Does it read easily, with the periods, commas, accents, and syllables flowing naturally, creating the proper tempo for the subject matter?
Are there areas within the poem which seem to "trip" your tongue?
Would it be "readable" out loud for the average person?
POETIC DEVICES: 10
RHYME AND/OR METER:10
Meter/rhythm can alternate from line to line, and even from verse to verse, but they should form a pattern that creates a pleasing effect. Even in free verse, the words need to form their own pleasant rhythm and not clash with each other, cause clumsy pauses, twist the tongue, (unless it's meant to be a tongue-twister!) or put emphasis in the wrong places.
FORM: 5
The "form" of the poem simply refers to the shape the poem takes on paper: long lines or short lines, broken into verses, or left in an unbroken chain.
FLOW: 5
ORIGINALITY: 10
OVERALL IMPACT: 10
TOTAL: 100
● SHORT STORY ●
Cover and Title: 10
Blurb: 5
Opening Chapter: 5
Does the writer engage the reader's attention immediately?
Is tone, setting and character established quickly?
Characterization: 10
Are characters believable, well-rounded?
Actions and interactions consistent and well motivated?
Plot: 10
Does progression seem inevitable without being too predictable?
Is the story interesting and compelling to read?
Conflict: 10
Does the protagonist have a problem serious enough for the reader to care about?
Is it solved satisfactorily?
Style and description: 10
Is writing fresh and free of cliches?
Does it reveal the writer's own vision and attitude clearly?
Are viewpoint changes and pacing handled smoothly?
Mechanics: 15
Is the word limit and the pace of the plot accurate?
Accurate vocabulary?
Is the manuscript professionally prepared?
Are historical details consistent and correct?
Grammar and Punctuation: 10
Enjoyment and Overall Impression: 15
Total points: 100
*Lex, you think they will realize this is -Navyah- di's criteria.*
*You didn't change some things?*
*It was so perfect that I didn't have the heart too... Stop glaring. I changed some words and before you start again, I asked her if I could use it. AND SHE AGREED.*
أنت تقرأ
The Belles Lettres Awards S1
عشوائيIt is said "The light introduces the lamp to the world". Writing is not just a hobby, it's an art, a way of life. And awards help hidden gems gain attention they deserve. But in recent times the awards have become rather sad and disappointing, over...
