1.  Have you done thorough research on / thinking about your subject?

2.  Did you choose the best point of view, and have you faithfully adhered to it?

3.  Before you began writing, did you rough out a plot and figure out what the point of the story would be?

4.  Did you develop your characters by doing exploratory exercises before you began writing?

5.  Does the opening paragraph of the story grab and interest the reader?

6.  Did you start with A) relevant and interesting scene, B) a summary C) dialogue?  Frequently, the most effective way to begin a story is with a scene.

7.  Does your story appeal to the reader?  Does it have a universal theme?  Have you developed characters in such a way that the reader will care what happens to them?  Have you left gaps in the character development that need to be bridged or filled in?

8.  Is any part of your story repetitious or off the topic?

9.  Does your story progress logically and smoothly?

10.  Do you use details to keep it moving?  to make it immediate?  and to develop character and plot?

11.  Does your story have a well developed plot?  an appropriate climax?  Does the story have forward, purposeful movement?

12.  Have you used words artistically to create vivid images / descriptions and real scenes?

13.  Have you used words concisely and precisely?  Have you avoided repetition of phrases and words?  Have you varied your sentence structure?

14.  Is your story well organized?

15.  Does your writing flow?

16.  Does the ending of your story justify all the words you have written?  Has something been resolved during the story?  Or has some character changed as a result of the events in the story?

17.  Will the ending satisfy the reader?

18.  Have you created real, well developed characters?

19.  Is your story told in a natural way?  in a style the reader will enjoy reading?

20.  Did you show, not tell?

21.  Did you use strong verbs that show action?  Did you show your characters' actions as well as their thoughts and their words?  (Verbs are more important than adjectives and adverbs.

22.  Have you maintained your style, tone, etc. consistently throughout the story?

23.  Have you treated the characters, scenes, and dialogue honestly?  Have you avoided baffling or surprising your reader by omission of necessary information and action?

24.  Is the story contrived or natural?

25.  Have you revised the story asking:
    A.  Is it tight?  (concise, thorough)
    B.  Is it realistic and clear?
    C.  Have I included all the needed details?
    D.  Is the plot properly organized and fully developed?  Does the story begin where it should?
    E.  Is every idea and every sentence relevant to the story?
    F.  Have I used appropriate words that are spelled correctly?
    G.  Have I created a realistic story with realistic characters?
    H.  Have I written an honest story without resorting to sensationalizing?
    I.  Have I cut all unnecessary information and every unnecessary word?
    J.  Have I developed the plot through use of enough scenes and dialogue to warrant the conclusion?
    K.  Have I used imagery, symbolism, and/or other literary devices skillfully?
    L.  Is punctuation correct?
    M.  Have I left any unanswered questions?