Contest Score Sheet

SUZANNAH CONTEST

2010 Scoresheet

ENTRY TITLE ________________________________________________

DECLARED SUBGENRE _______________________________________

JUDGE # _____________                ENTRY SCORE __________ (max score: 220)

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Feel free to write comments on the manuscript and on the scoresheet.

• Please score each item on a 1-10 scale where:

10=Excellent 5=Acceptable 1=Ineffective or missing altogether

• Use whole numbers only.

• For any score of four or lower, please explain.

• Please double check your addition.

MECHANICS: subtotal ______ _ (min 2:max 20)

_____ The basics (spelling, grammar, punctuation, paragraph indents, etc.) are generally correct in this entry.

_____ The entry has a neat, professional, easy to read appearance.

(NOTE: Do not count off for font or for use of italics rather than underlining. All formatting has been checked and approved. As we have International entrants, please do not count off for International spelling—color[American] colour [International])

Comment:

CHARACTERS: subtotal ______ (min 4: max 40)

_____ The actions and reactions seem appropriate and believably motivated.

_____ She is interesting, multidimensional and believable.

_____ You can easily recognize who the heroine of the story will be.

_____ There is believable attraction/chemistry/interaction between her and the hero, either in the manuscript sample or in the synopsis.

Comment:

Thoughts on Hero:

Thoughts on Heroine:

SETTING: subtotal ______ (min 2: max20)

_____ There is a clear sense of setting and time.

_____ The world-building elements (climate, geography, history, technology, fantasy, etc.) are introduced in a believable and non-jarring manner.

Comment:

PACING: subtotal______ (min 3: max30)

_____ The action flows with a smooth, natural feel and a sense of immediacy.

_____ The backstory/background/set-up information is woven in without slowing the story unduly.

_____ The pacing fits the story/genre.

Comment:

DIALOGUE subtotal_______(min 2: max 20)

_____ The dialogue sounds natural and realistic for the time period and setting.

_____ Each character has an individual voice that reveals his/her character traits.

Comment:

STORY TELLING: subtotal ______ (min 3 : max30)

_____ The writing is smooth, fresh and interesting, rather than sounding forced or clichéd.

_____ The author skillfully plants the seeds that drive the story forward.

_____ The story convinces you to suspend disbelief so that you believe the story happenings are credible for the setting.

Comment:

SYNOPSIS: subtotal______ (min 5: max 50)

(PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW BASED ON THE SYNOPSIS RATHER THAN THE MANUSCRIPT)

_____ The synopsis was easy to read (you didn’t confused by anything that was written)

_____ The main plot/storyline are easy to follow.

_____ The romance and the main external plots are well integrated.

_____ The character growth/arcs are clearly depicted for both hero and heroine.

_____ All conflicts are satisfactorily resolved or explained and the Happily-Ever-After ending is apparent.

Comment:

OVERALL APPEAL: subtotal ______ (min 1: max 10)

_____ This entry grabbed your interest enough to make you want to read more.

Comment:

What area/element of this story do you feel needs additional work?

What area/element of this story did you particularly like?

Judge Information:

ðPublished Author/ RWA® PAN          ðLibrarian/Bookseller

ðRWA® PRO

ðOther ______________________________________________

Signature (Optional) ___________________________________________

Contest Staff Only

Verify score total ___________ENTER TOTAL HERE

I have personally re-added and checked the score total _______INITIAL HERE