Scene & Narrative

The 10 Point Checklist

by
Perry Glasser

Perry Glasser is the Coordinator of the Professional Writing Program at

Salem State University, in Massachusetts.

© Perry Glasser – editorial and critical services available. See www.perryglasser.com

Inquiries to perry@perryglasser.com Classes now being organized.
 Scene & Narrative
The 10 Point Checklist
by
Perry Glasser

Narrative tells. Scenes show. Both have their uses.

NARRATIVE
Employ narrative to summarize events that do not change characters, that do describe ongoing, non-
extraordinary activity, or that briefly describe elements of setting that shape the action.

_____ 1. Does the information being told to the reader summarize a period of time in
which no events posed new challenges to your characters?
_____2. Is a short summary of the setting (time and place) needed for readers to
comprehend the subsequent action?
_____3. Does a short summary of habitual action more efficiently illuminate the
ordinary events of your characters lives?
_____4. Does a short summary of conversation (indirect discourse) supply readers
with needed information without blunting the characters’ personalities?
SCENE
Employ scenes when readers need to experience the specific moments and circumstances when characters
confront the challenges that makes them change.
_____5. Does the scene pay heed to at least three streams of sensory data—sight, sound
as dialogue, touch, taste, aroma, balance, and body-posture awareness?
_____6. Does each scene in your story illuminate another aspect of struggle?

_____7. Does the scene avoid “moving furniture?”

Avoid describing action only Martians need explained. Haven’t your readers ever seen a
person rise from a chair? Open a car door?
_____8. Does the scene illuminate character through gesture, speech AND action?

_____9. Does the scene advance the story by making conflicts more acute or suggesting
characters adopting new tactics to address existing challenges?
____10. Is the dialogue uttered because the conversation is true to the characters, or
are the characters speaking to supply information to readers?
REMEMBER: Dialogue and conversation are not the same!

COMING SOON: DIALOGUE

© Perry Glasser – editorial and critical services available. See www.perryglasser.com

Inquiries to perry@perryglasser.com Classes now being organized.