Raleigh Fine Arts Society

Judges:

Welcome to the Login page for the Literary Contest. Once you click above, you will be given another chance to review step by step instructions. The following is a review of the scoring process for the stories.

These elements of short fiction should receive consideration in one’s writing:

Listed below are the scoring standards developed by the judges for the Literary Contest. We hope this information will enable students and teachers to identify specific weaknesses in manuscripts prior to submission.
 

Score = 1
"Practically Perfect"

Original - reader does not feel that he/she has read this story before
Point of View Consistent Throughout - no unintentional slipping
Effective Narrative Tension and/or Suspense - outcome not predictable but well developed by subtle foreshadowing
Characters - convincing
Situation - plausible, at least within the context of the story
Dialogue - in addition to being conversation, dialogue may also reveal character and background, give necessary information, provide insight into relationship between characters, move the story forward, distinguish one character from another. Avoid too much exposition in dialogue.
Focus - on a single idea, character, situation
Language Use - precise, apt, descriptive (and generally understated)
Tone - consistent
Transitions - smooth
No Major Errors - in mechanics, grammar, and/or usage (This does not apply when the voice of a character requires ungrammatical usage.) No characters, elements or ideas introduced and then left dangling.
 

Score = 2
"Better than average, but having a major flaw or weakness"

The “2” story grabs the attention of the judges because it is a cut above the ordinary. Thus it is a story that engages the reader and can become a winner by careful rethinking and revision. It usually isn't a top winner because it has at least one or more substantial weaknesses.

For example, a story may be original, with convincing dialogue, excellent use of language, and well developed characters, but it may lack focus - that is, it may actually seem to be two stories, or perhaps it is difficult to tell whose story it is. Or the point of view may not be consistent, now resting with this character, now that one. Or the story may be very good but the writer's misuse of words or language may distract. A “2” story's positive qualities greatly outweigh its negative qualities.
 

Score = 3
“Average”

A “3” story may be well-written in the sense that there are no major errors in language, mechanics or usage. The writing may be smooth, and the story as a whole “not bad". Generally, though, a “3” story is undistinguished in terms of idea and content. These stories are often derivative or imitative: that is, the reader has the feeling that he/she has read it before. Characters and situations are stereotypical or trite. Plot and dialogue sound borrowed rather than developed from the writer's own perspective or experience. Many "passable" stories fall into this category because their outcomes are predictable.
 

Score = 4
“One or two redeeming qualities which indicate promise, but otherwise weak”

A “4” story has one or two redeeming qualities which indicate some promise, although otherwise it is almost as weak as a “5” story. For example, although the story itself may be poorly conceived and written, the story idea may be original and engaging. Or the writer may have created a winsome character. Or the story may contain vivid descriptive lines or passages. In short, the story as such may not be fixable, but the writer demonstrates some ability that should be encouraged.
 

Score = 5
“Severe Weaknesses”

A “5” story is marked by severe weaknesses that demonstrate that the writer has not internalized the concept of story and/or recognized the requirements for modern readers.
 

Some Possible Problems:

Plot - Trite or unintentionally nonexistent-may not be a story at all, but a simple incident (a single scene not connected to anything before or after)
Characters - flat, unconvincing
Language - either simplistic or grandiose
Point of View - unintentionally inconsistent - unclear as to whose story is being told
Dialogue - serves no purpose other than to take up space
No narrative tension or suspense - no conflict or obstacle in the plot - a single character “pondering” his/her way through several pages of reflection
Transitions – rough scenes disconnected
Major Errors - in grammar, mechanics and usage so extensive as to detract from the story
Lack of Focus - the purpose or direction of the story is never clear Characters or ideas - introduced for no apparent reason - left dangling; i.e. questions are raised that are not dealt with in a satisfactory way.
 

Thank you for your participation in our Literary Contest. This is our second year of on-line submissions and judging. If you have questions or need more information please contact the RFAS Liaison who has been assigned to you or email us at literarycontest@raleighfinearts.org.