I've always gone by this critique system when reviewing tales/articles, created by yours truly.
Here are thing things to look out for when pulling the pros from the cons within an article. Should anything in the article play against a bullet on the list, it generally it means that there is still work to be done:
Ideas/Content
The writing is exceptionally clear, focused, and interesting. It holds the reader’s attention throughout. Main ideas stand out and are developed by strong support and rich details suitable to audience and purpose. The writing is characterized by
• clarity, focus, and control.
• main idea(s) that stand out.
• supporting, relevant, carefully selected details; when appropriate, use of resources provides strong, accurate, credible support.
• a thorough, balanced, in-depth explanation / exploration of the topic; the writing makes connections and shares insights.
• content and selected details that are well-suited to audience and purpose.
Organization
The organization enhances the central idea(s) and its development. The order and structure are compelling and move the reader through the text easily. The writing is characterized by
• effective, perhaps creative, sequencing and paragraph breaks; the organizational structure fits the topic, and the writing is easy to follow.
• a strong, inviting beginning that draws the reader in and a strong, satisfying sense of resolution or closure.
• smooth, effective transitions among all elements (sentences, paragraphs, ideas).
• details that fit where placed.
Voice
The writer has chosen a voice appropriate for the topic, purpose, and audience. The writer demonstrates deep commitment to the topic, and there is an exceptional sense of “writing to be read.” The writing is expressive, engaging, or sincere. The writing is characterized by
• an effective level of closeness to or distance from the audience (e.g., a narrative should have a strong personal voice, while an expository piece may require extensive use of outside resources and a more academic voice; nevertheless, both should be engaging, lively, or interesting. Technical writing may require greater distance.).
• an exceptionally strong sense of audience; the writer seems to be aware of the reader and of how to communicate the message most effectively. The reader may discern the writer behind the words and feel a sense of interaction.
• a sense that the topic has come to life; when appropriate, the writing may show originality, liveliness, honesty, conviction, excitement, humor, or suspense.
Word Choice
Words convey the intended message in an exceptionally interesting, precise, and natural way appropriate to audience and purpose. The writer employs a rich, broad range of words which have been carefully chosen and thoughtfully placed for impact. The writing is characterized by
• accurate, strong, specific words; powerful words energize the writing.
• fresh, original expression; slang, if used, seems purposeful and is effective.
• vocabulary that is striking and varied, but that is natural and not overdone.
• ordinary words used in an unusual way.
• words that evoke strong images; figurative language may be used.
Fluency
The writing has an effective flow and rhythm. Sentences show a high degree of craftsmanship, with consistently strong and varied structure that makes expressive oral reading easy and enjoyable. The writing is characterized by
• a natural, fluent sound; it glides along with one sentence flowing effortlessly into the next.
• extensive variation in sentence structure, length, and beginnings that add interest to the text.
• sentence structure that enhances meaning by drawing attention to key ideas or reinforcing relationships among ideas.
• varied sentence patterns that create an effective combination of power and grace.
• strong control over sentence structure; fragments, if used at all, work well.
• stylistic control; dialogue, if used, sounds natural.
Conventions
The writing demonstrates exceptionally strong control of standard writing conventions (e.g., punctuation, spelling, capitalization, grammar and usage) and uses them effectively to enhance communication. Errors are so few and so minor that the reader can easily skim right over them unless specifically searching for them. The writing is characterized by
• strong control of conventions; manipulation of conventions may occur for stylistic effect.
• strong, effective use of punctuation that guides the reader through the text.
• correct spelling, even of more difficult words.
• correct grammar and usage that contribute to clarity and style.
• skill in using a wide range of conventions in a sufficiently long and complex piece.
• little or no need for editing.
(account deleted)
