Benchmark Template

[Azrielle]

Erotic Story Contest II Benchmark

Evaluation:
Total Score:
Percentage:
Entry Title:
Category:
Genre:
Evaluator’s Name:
AChat Contest Finalist: Yes/No?

Scoring Key: (Evaluate each benchmark question with a score of 1 – 5)
5 = Excellent!
4 = Almost there, needs only a little polishing.
3 = Average, needs improvement.
2 = Below Average, Needs Reworking.
1 = Needs better understanding of basic concepts and extensive reworking.

NB: Please provide commentary for a score of (3) or lower. Do not score a (1) without a complete explanation.

I – CATEGORY
1. Does the Story meet the Contest theme?
Sub score:
Comment:

II – OPENING SCENE(S)
2. Does the story begin with an interesting hook, prompting you to read more?
3. Do you quickly develop a convincing sense of time and place?
Sub score:
Comment:

III – CHARACTERIZATION
4. Are the character’s descriptions effective? Can you picture them?
5. Are the character’s actions/reactions appropriate, consistent, and credible for the genre?
6. Are main characters sympathetic despite flaws/faults? 
7. Are you rooting for them as the story progresses?
8. Does conflict (internal or external) flow naturally from the character/s or does it seem artificial or forced?
Sub score:
Comment:

IV – PLOT
9. Is the plot progression building into an interesting story?
10. Are plot elements logical and believable within the genre?
Sub score:
Comment:

V – NARRATIVE/DIALOGUE TECHNIQUES
11. How well does the dialogue match the characters?
12. Is the dialogue realistic?
13. Does it read naturally for the time period and genre?
14. Does it accurately reveal the voices of the characters?
15. Is the narrative clear? How well does it animate the characters, time and place?
16. Does the narrative show rather than tell?
17. Is the story pacing effective? Does the pace and amount of back story fit the action, tone and tension of the story?
Sub score:
Comment:

VI – WRITING TECHNIQUES
18. Do you get a vivid picture from the writing?
19. Does the writer use creative figures of speech and at least a few of the five senses?
20. Are points-of-view handled well?
21. Are scene transitions smooth, natural, and logical?
22. Is the entry presented professionally with few typos, good grammar, and generally accepted punctuation?
23. Is the prose dynamic, easily read, and dominated by active verbs?
Sub score:
Comment:

VII – OVERVIEW
24. Is your interest piqued? How much would you want to read more?
25. How well are the elements woven together to produce a promising story?
Sub score:
Comment:

Total Score (highest possible is 125 points):
Percentage (score/125 X 100):

OVERALL MANUSCRIPT COMMENTS :  (Please feel free to include additional comments addressed to the Author of the Manuscript.)

Code:

[b]Erotic Story Contest II Benchmark[/b]

Evaluation:
Total Score:
Percentage:
Entry Title:
Category:
Genre:
Evaluator’s Name:
AChat Contest Finalist: Yes/No?

Scoring Key: (Evaluate each benchmark question with a score of 1 – 5)
5 = Excellent!
4 = Almost there, needs only a little polishing.
3 = Average, needs improvement.
2 = Below Average, Needs Reworking.
1 = Needs better understanding of basic concepts and extensive reworking.

NB: Please provide commentary for a score of (3) or lower. Do not score a (1) without a complete explanation.

[b]I – CATEGORY [/b]
1. Does the Story meet the Contest theme?
Sub score:
Comment:

[b]II – OPENING SCENE(S)[/b]
2. Does the story begin with an interesting hook, prompting you to read more?
3. Do you quickly develop a convincing sense of time and place?
Sub score:
Comment:

[b]III – CHARACTERIZATION[/b]
4. Are the character’s descriptions effective? Can you picture them?
5. Are the character’s actions/reactions appropriate, consistent, and credible for the genre?
6. Are main characters sympathetic despite flaws/faults? 
7. Are you rooting for them as the story progresses?
8. Does conflict (internal or external) flow naturally from the character/s or does it seem artificial or forced?
Sub score:
Comment:

[b]IV – PLOT[/b]
9. Is the plot progression building into an interesting story?
10. Are plot elements logical and believable within the genre?
Sub score:
Comment:

[b]V – NARRATIVE/DIALOGUE TECHNIQUES[/b]
11. How well does the dialogue match the characters?
12. Is the dialogue realistic?
13. Does it read naturally for the time period and genre?
14. Does it accurately reveal the voices of the characters?
15. Is the narrative clear? How well does it animate the characters, time and place?
16. Does the narrative show rather than tell?
17. Is the story pacing effective? Does the pace and amount of back story fit the action, tone and tension of the story?
Sub score:
Comment:

[b] VI – WRITING TECHNIQUES[/b]
18. Do you get a vivid picture from the writing?
19. Does the writer use creative figures of speech and at least a few of the five senses?
20. Are points-of-view handled well?
21. Are scene transitions smooth, natural, and logical?
22. Is the entry presented professionally with few typos, good grammar, and generally accepted punctuation?
23. Is the prose dynamic, easily read, and dominated by active verbs?
Sub score:
Comment:

[b]VII – OVERVIEW[/b]
24. Is your interest piqued? How much would you want to read more?
25. How well are the elements woven together to produce a promising story?
Sub score:
Comment:

[b]Total Score (highest possible is 125 points)[/b]:
[b]Percentage (score/125 X 100)[/b]:

[b]OVERALL MANUSCRIPT COMMENTS[/b] :  (Please feel free to include additional comments addressed to the Author of the Manuscript.)

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