Poetry Workshop Form

BASIC POETRY EVALUATION

Title:

Poet:

- Use the dictionary to list and define vocabulary words from the poem.

-To whom and why do you think the poem was written?

-Explain the moods or emotions it either displays or leaves with its readers. Use words from the poem in your explanation.

-Interpret the poet's worldview based not only on his choice of words, but words that were not used.

-Does it express thoughts or emotions or does it tell a story. Does it describe an event? Explain its meaning or purpose.

-Explain any values, morals, or character training it may offer.

-Express your opinion of the poem; why you liked or disliked.

-Additional Comments:

Feedback Form Short Story, Children's Lit, Screenplay, Etc.

General Questions for the Analysis & Evaluation of Short

Stories and Screenplays

PLOT

1. Who is the Protagonist of the story? What are the conflicts? Are they physical, intellectual, moral or emotional? Is the main conflict between good and evil sharply differentiated, or is it more subtle and complex?

2. Does the plot have unity? Are all the episodes relevant to the total meaning or effect of the story? Does each incident grow logically out of the preceding incident and lead naturally to the next? Is the ending happy, unhappy, or undetermined? Is it fairly achieved?

3. What use does the story make of chance and coincidence? Are these occurrences used to initiate, to complicate, or to resolve the story? How improbable are they?

4. How is the suspense created in the story? Is the interest confined to examples of mystery? of dilemma?

5. What use does the story make of surprise? Are the surprises achieved fairly? Do they serve a significant purpose? Do they divert the reader’s attention from weakness in the story?

6. To what extent is this a “formula” story?

CHARACTERS

1. What means does the author use to reveal characters? Are the characters sufficiently dramatized? What use is made of character contrast?

2. Are the characters consistent in their actions? adequately motivated? plausible? Does the author successfully avoid stock characters?

3. Is each character developed enough to justify his role in the story? Are the main characters round or flat?

4. Are any of the characters a developing character? If so, is his/her change a large or small one? Is it a plausible change for him/her? Is he/she sufficiently motivated? Is she/he given sufficient time?

THEME

1. Does the story have a theme? What is it? Is it implicit or explicit?

2. Does the theme reinforce or oppose popular notions of life? Does it furnish a new insight or refresh or deepen an old one?

POINT OF VIEW

1. What point of view does the story use? Is it consistent in its use of this point of view? If shifts are made, are they justified?

2. What are the advantages of the chosen point of view? Does it furnish any clues as to the purpose of the story?

3. If the point of view is that of one of the characters, does this character have any limitations that affect his/her interpretation of events or persons?

4. Does the author use point of view primarily to reveal or conceal? Does he/she unfairly withhold important information known to the focal character?

Author Study

Here is the information for the author study.  Answer all relevant questions for your selected mode of writing.

Writing for Publication

Author Study

This project will count as part of your second quarter writing assessment.

Learning Targets:

3. Produce clear and effective writing in a variety of modes using the 6 traits and the writing 
    process.

6.  Conduct research for a variety of purposes (evaluating sources for validity and appropriateness), and provide accurate citations.

8.  Demonstrate command of conventions of standard English grammar, spelling, and usage when writing or speaking.

Summary:

For this assignment, you will conduct a study of a modern author writing in the genre that you are most interested in emulating. Your goal will be to come to an understanding of this author’s writing process, taking note of the following:

PREWRITING PROCESS

-How does he or she decide on a topic about which to write?

-What considerations are made in terms of audience?

WRITING PROCESS
-What steps does he or she take to establish character and voice (including elements like dialog and character thoughts)?

-What steps does he or she take to establish imagery?

-What steps does he or she take to establish story/plot?

-What steps does he or she take to prepare descriptions of complicated processes?

REVISION PROCESS

-What steps does he or she take to tighten story, imagery, character and voice?

-What steps does he or she take to ensure that conventions are tight?

-What steps does he or she take to ensure that word choice and sentence structure are varied and interesting?
-What steps does he or she take to ensure that instructions are clear and easy to follow?

PUBLICATION PROCESS

-Once the entirety of the writing process is finished, what steps does he or she take toward finding an audience and publisher for his or her story?