1.Plot - what happens
in the story
should
be interesting and original
shows
character in action, be logical
should
show causal relationships
produces
the conflict/tension, action, leads to the climax
may
be chronological or flashback
should
be developmentally appropriate
may
be more than one (parallel)
2.Setting
- where and when story takes place
sets
the stage without intruding
gives
details that make the plot more believeable
should
be accurate to place and time
3.Character - who or
what
must
be convincing, believable and consistent with age, ethnic background, education,
etc.
may
be revealed in a variety of ways (actions, thoughts, speech)
may
be flat, round, dynamic (round that changes) or static
avoids
stereotyping
4.Theme -underlying
idea
may
be general or specific
may
have more than one
should
grow naturally out of the story, be subtle not overpowering
be
worth imparting
may
be explicit or implicit
5.Style
- how the story is written mood
of the story
should
complement the story, be natural
should
contribute to the story, make it memorable
may
use a variety of devices
connotation
- emotional meaning
denotation
- dictionary meaning
imagery
- scaly, slimy
figurative
language (personification, simile, metaphor)
hyperbole
understatement
illusion
puns,
word plays
sound
devices (onomatopoeia, alliteration, assonance, etc)
idioms
should
be appropriate and natural, without condescension
6.Point of View - who
is telling the story
first
person
third
person
omniscient
- 3rd person, all views expressed
limited
omniscient -3rd person, focus on one or few
objective
or dramatic - no perspective
There should be a sense
of completeness when the book is finished.
It should flow in a
meaningful way, each part related to the others.
There should be integrity.The
story should touch your emotions, light your imagination, help you think
about new ideas... or old ideas in new ways.The
child’s world should be expanded.