Show, Don't Tell Judging Criteria

Show, Don't Tell Contest
Criteria for Judging
100 points possible

(1 point per element, up to a maximum of 25) How many elements of the "Contest Scenario"  does the author show?

(4 points) Does the scene show all 25 elements?

(10 points) Does the scene use all five senses?

  (up to 30 points) Are descriptions of characters, settings and events shown rather than told?

(up to 15 points) Do the descriptions of characters, settings and events enhance the point of view?  See the comments at the end of the "Contest Rules"  for more details on what we mean by this.

  (up to 10 points) Originality and creativity.

Writing Basics (up to 2 points each)

Grammar.  Is the prose free from grammatical error?

Dialogue.  Is it believable?  Does each character speak with a distinct voice?

Staging.  Is it clear where all the characters are in relation to each other and the setting?

  (10 point penalty)  Assessed if the scene is not written in third person limited.

(5 point penalty) Assessed if the scene does not include at least 20 elements from the scenario.

(Disqualification)  Assessed if the scene exceeds 1500 words, does not comply with deadlines, adds characters or changes the events in the scenario.