Short Story Peer Editing

Name of Author:

Name of Editor:

Instructions: Please carefully consider each question and write helpful comments both on this sheet and on the story. Remember that the creative process can be an intense experience; be sure to offer constructive criticism.

I. Requirements:

Does story meet 3-5 page length requirement? Y N

Is it Times New Roman, 12 point font? Y N

Does the story avoid extra spacing between paragraphs? Y N

Is story double spaced? Y N

Does the story have page numbers? Y N

II. Short Story Content:

Does the story have a “hooking” opening line/paragraph? Y N

Does the story have a well-developed protagonist? Y N

Does the story maintain one mood throughout? Y N

Does the story have any random, unimportant details? Y N

Does the plot make sense? Does it have a clear exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution? Suggestions?

Where is the story set? How do you know? Does the setting need more description? Less? Suggestions?

What do you think the primary conflict is in this story? Is it internal or external? Suggestions?

Does the author use indirect or direct characterization methods? Are the characters believable? Suggestions?

III. Mechanics (Indicate your specific corrections on the draft itself so your partner can make revisions.)


Has story been thoroughly proofread? Y N

Does the author use quotation marks properly? Y N

Check if you noticed any of the following Egregious Errors:

ÿ  There, Their, and There

ÿ  To, Too, and Two

ÿ  Your and You’re

ÿ  Buy, By, ‘Bye

ÿ  It’s and Its

ÿ  Effect vs. Affect

ÿ  Text has not been organized in paragraphs

ÿ  Proper nouns are not properly capitalized

ÿ  Defiantly (instead of definitely)

ÿ  Alright (instead of all right)

ÿ  Overuse of exclamation points

ÿ  Commas missing before nouns of address (example: Hey Bob! Instead of Hey, Bob!)

IV. Other Questions:

What point-of-view is the author using in this story? (First person, 3rd-limited, or 3rd-omniscient)

Does it seem to fit? Is it consistent throughout the story?

How would you use to describe this writer’s diction?

Do the word choices fit the style of the story?

Any suggestions?

What literary devices did the author incorporate?

  1. ______
  2. ______
  3. ______
  4. ______
  5. ______

What do you think is the theme of this story? Why?

Final comments or suggestions?