When offering feedback, aim to structure your response in a way that is both honest and encouraging. A helpful approach is the Praise–Critique–Praise model. Begin by identifying a specific strength in the piece — such as a vivid image, a compelling character moment, a distinctive narrative voice, or an effective structural choice — so the writer knows what is working well and worth preserving. Then move into focused, actionable critique. Frame suggestions as observations or questions, be precise rather than general, and focus on the text rather than the writer. Instead of broad statements (“The middle is boring”), point to what you noticed and why (“The pacing slows after the confrontation; tightening the reflective passages might maintain tension”). Finally, end by looking forward. Highlight the story’s potential and suggest how its existing strengths might be developed even further. Point to what is already working well and indicate how refining, deepening, or sharpening those elements could elevate the piece as a whole. This keeps feedback focused on growth — not just correction — and reminds the writer that revision is also about building on what is strong, not simply fixing what is weak.
Reviewer Prompts and Questions for Short Fiction
These are questions to help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of the pieces.
Opening Line (or Hook)
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Does the opening establish tone, voice, or tension effectively?
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Does it raise an immediate question or create narrative momentum?
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Is the reader grounded quickly enough in character, setting, or situation?
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Does the opening paragraph make you want to continue reading?
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Would tightening or sharpening the first few sentences increase impact?
How to use these questions
1. Hook & Theme
“Why am I reading this?” (Purpose & Promise)
This group sits at the conceptual level of the story.
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Hook grabs attention and creates curiosity
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Theme gives the story meaning and emotional weight
Together, they form the story’s promise to the reader:
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This is what kind of experience you’re about to have
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This is why it matters
These operate at the level of intent and interpretation, not mechanics.
2. Pacing, Structure & Plot
“Where is this going?” (Movement & Shape)
This group governs how the story unfolds over time.
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Plot → what happens
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Structure → how it’s organised
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Pacing → how quickly it moves
Together, they control:
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Am I being pulled forward?
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Does this feel satisfying as a whole?
This is the architectural layer — the story’s shape and momentum.
3. Description, Dialogue & Character
“What am I experiencing right now?” (Moment-to-Moment Craft)
This is the immediate reading experience — what the reader is actually living through sentence by sentence.
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Description → sensory world
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Dialogue → voice and interaction
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Character → emotional anchor
Together, they answer:
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Do I believe this world and these people?
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Am I immersed?
This is the layer of execution on the page — the texture of the story.
