Manuscript Title:______________________ Category:_________________

Targeted Line:_________________ Entry No:_______ Judge No:______

Scoring: Scoring is done on a range of 1 to 5 points for each issue. Total possible score is 100. Judges are encouraged to comment on the back of this score sheet. Below is an interpretation for each score number. If your preliminary round scores had a point spread of more than 20 points where the highest score is at least 80 your entry will receive a third judge and the lowest of the three scores will be dropped.

Hook:
_____ 1. Do the first few paragraphs compel you to read on?

Main Character(s):
_____ 2. Are the main character(s)'s motivation(s) believable? Strong?
_____ 3. Do the main character(s) engage you as a reader?
_____ 4. Are the main character(s)'s actions/reactions consistent? Appropriate?
_____ 5. Do the main character(s) have unique voices and traits?
_____ 6. Do you as a reader care about the main character(s)'s goal or challenge she/he must tackle?

_____ 7. Do you as a reader feel the emotions of the main character(s)?

 

Plot:
_____ 8. Is the premise sufficient to sustain the length of the book?
_____ 9. Do you get a sense of what the main character(s) wants?

_____ 10. Do you get a sense of what stands in his/her way?

_____ 11. Does the dialogue move the story forward? Read naturally?

Style and Writing Technique:
_____ 12. Is the voice strong?
_____ 13. Do you get a vivid picture from the writing?
_____ 14. Is POV consistent and clear?
_____ 15. Is the premise unique or a fresh take on a standard plot??
_____ 16. Is the backstory given appropriately (not too much, not too little)?
_____ 17. Does the chapter end in a page-turning hook?
_____ 18. Does the manuscript have proper format, spelling, punctuation and grammar?

Overall:

_____ 19.  Does the story sizzle with strong characters?

_____ 20.  When the submission ended, did you want to read more?