Not sure what to talk about in your review? You've come to the right place!
Note: This was not created by me, although I plan to expand it. This was created by the moderators of the Novel Workshop. I have made it a static item so that it doesn't fill the forum boards but can be an easy reference for our members (and investigators) about the format that we use and what comments we look for and encourage in each category.
Format of a review: Ensure that you use this to include all categories.
Title: {item:} ()
Chapter: {entry:} (Chapter )
Author: {user:}
Plot: What to Comment on: Has the plot been established in the first chapter? Sometimes it is, and other times, it's not introduced until several chapters later. This is also something to watch for. Does the plot come through strong? Has the author waited too long to bring the plot/conflict forward? Are things clear and making sense? Are you left with questions? List those questions...jog the author's brain. When you do so, it can be beneficial to the writer in clarifying or expanding certain scenes. It can also help them in writing future chapters.
Style & Voice: What to Comment on: The style and voice is that of both the author, as well as the characters. While you may have been introduced to the main character(s), there are secondary ones floating around. Are these coming through strong? Are they necessary in moving the story along? Are their voices clear (i.e. the reason why they're in the scene) or are they being used as unnecessary fillers? Another thing to look at is whether the characters are staying true to form. If we have this strong character (let's make it the main one) and she's very strong, forthright and several chapters later, she's withdrawn, shy and not showing her true nature "without" an incident causing it (i.e. an underlying reason for the change in her personality) this should be commented on. If you've started a novel that's fantasy, and your speech is stilted and very formal and suddenly, we start reading slang, abbreviations and contractions (weren't, hasn't, he'll, wasn't, etc.) that weren’t there before, then this is a change in style and should be
commented on.
Referencing: What to Comment on: Referencing means whether the story is following modern-day, medieval, fantasy, Sci-Fi, etc. Is the referencing clear at the first chapter? This will include dialogue as well. This is set by making references to certain items of clothing, machines, the scenery, and even dialogue. Is there some confusion as to the time era? If you're writing fantasy, you're certainly not going to see a fridge or a radio, or begin to hear slang words. And believe me, we sometimes slip in this area. When you're reviewing chapters, try to remember what has happened in previous chapters you've reviewed, and if you notice an inconsistency, mention it.
Scene/Setting: What to Comment on: This is self-explanatory. Again, inconsistencies can happen here. Comment on whether the scene is clear--for example, if the characters are standing in a forest, and all of a sudden they're in a field, this needs to be mentioned to the author. How did they get there? Try to keep in mind the three senses of scenery to see whether the author has incorporated them: Sight, sound and smell.
Characters: What to Comment on: Are the characters believable? Main character(s) are usually introduced in the first couple of chapters, so what are your opinions about them? Do they move you? Frighten you? Can you relate to them? Are their "voices" clear and strong? Are they too much alike that they're confusing you? (i.e. they all have brown hair, average height and no distinct mannerisms or traits that sets them apart, so a reader can identify them without having to read their name every time there's dialogue). Are their names so similar that this causes confusion, as well? If you have a story with Tom, Terry, Tory and Tim, it's difficult to keep them straight, because there's nothing that differentiates them from the others. This causes confusion. Do you feel like some of the characters are just wasting space; that they're not important in moving the story ahead? Is there something more you'd like to see from them? Has the author portrayed them in a way that you easily recognize them?
Grammar: What to Comment on: Some of you aren't strong in this area and others...WOWIE! But that's what's so great about these forums. You may not be able to comment on a lot of the grammar issues, but you can certainly comment on other things. What you will miss, others will not. Just do what you can and what you know.
Just My Personal Opinion: }What to Comment on: Again, share with the reader how this chapter made you feel. Then include your opinion about the rest of the chapters you’ve read (i.e., whether it's all coming together). Is there something you didn't like? Don't be afraid to voice your opinions, but do so in a nice, helpful way, Moderators will not tolerate scolding, demanding reviews. An author should not be "scolded" about their writing, so please keep your tone respectful, polite and helpful.
FINALLY: ** You have the option to either (A) copy and paste over the chapter, or (B)do line comments.
If you choose (A): Please paste and copy the specific chapter over into your Word program and make comment(s) directly into the text of the chapter (use bold or color codes). This helps an author to see "exactly where a reviewer's comments are in that particular chapter.
If you choose option (B) Please try to post the paragraph that those comments are in for ease of reference, otherwise an author must search through the chapter and re-read and re-check where those suggestions are located.
Check out a couple of reviews on the message board that other authors have provided, and feel free to personalize, expand and tweak it to your style.
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