Narrative Checklist Ask yourself the following questions about your narrative. 1.

Is this a real storyset-up, problem, suspense, climax, resolution? a. Time line? b. Problem? Suspense c. Interesting characters? d. Setting? Are the characters and setting clearly described? Can my reader see all this? Is the problem believable and interesting? Will the problem grab the reader? Does the situation get worse before the climactic high point? Is there a definite high point, a point of greatest tension? Is the resolution satisfying? Have I looked carefully at each sentence in order to correct all grammatical errors, punctuation, spelling, and paragraph formation? Does the dialogue follow the proper format? a. A new paragraph for each new speaker, including the narrator? b. A paragraph indent for each new paragraph? c. Quotation marks for the exact words of each speaker (not the narrator)? d. Is all end punctuation within the quotation marks? Have I omitted unnecessary, boring, irrelevant details that bog things down? Have I considered the pace of my story? Does is move rapidly when I want it to? Does it slow dramatically when I want to draw things out? Have I considered the effects of speed in telling this story? What is the purpose of this story? a. To entertain? b. To issue a warning? c. To make a point that works as advice? d. To bring understanding in an area of discord or misinformation? e. To instruct? Are the document requirements met? a. Double spacing? Times New Roman, 12 pt.? b. Heading and header? Title? c. Times New Roman, 12 pt.? d. Five typed pages (top p. 6)?

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