Writing Checklist
Realistic Fiction:
- has a modern or recent time-setting
- are real-life stories
- could really happen
Content/Ideas
Is the writing engaging?
Is my writing based on a recent time and/or setting?
Does my main idea (topic) stand out and have good support?
Could this really happen?
Am I believable as a writer?
Does the writing have developed relevant details and examples?
Do I use details that paint a picture/sensory details?
Do I have a rising and falling action?
Have I included conflicts:
Person versus self
Person versus person
Person versus nature
Person versus society
Person versus technology
Organization
Do I have a beginning, middle, and end?
Do my transitions move the reader smoothly through the text?
Are my transitions interesting and improve my story?
Do my events follow a logical order?
Do the details run smoothly throughout my writing?
Do I need to take out details/examples that DO NOT support my central idea/story?
Does my writing usethese grammar techniques correctly?
Infinitives (the word to plus a verb)
Gerunds (The verb ends in -ingand functions as a noun.)
Participial phrases (The verb is used as an adjective, most often ends in -ing or
–ed, placed as close to the noun it describes as possible.)
Dashes or ellipses (Double dash--used to indicate a break in writing to explain
the previous portion of the sentence, or in the place of parenthesis. Ellipses . . .
shows a missing piece of text or a pause in speech.)
Voice/Style
Do my words convey the intended message, were they carefully chosen and thoughtfully placed for impact?
Are my words interesting, specific, and natural?
Does the topic come to life and does the writing make you feel something?
Does my writing and dialogue convey feelings, convictions, and personality?
Does my writing include
Humor?
Element of surprise?
Personification?
Can my reader see what I am writing?
Do I use some short, medium, and long sentences?
Do my sentences start and end differently once in a while?
Did I consider who my audience is, how they read, and what they like?
Do I convey my feelings, convictions, and personality?
Conventions
Did I use capitals correctly?
Are my periods, commas, question marks, and quotation marks in the right places?
Are my words spelled correctly?
Did I remember to indent each paragraph?
Is my writing neat and easy to read?