Phil Druker/Department of English/ University of Idaho

404/505   //  Travel Writing

Assignment 1:  Workshop Questions for the Guidebook Description

Name of author ____________________                  Name of reader ____________________

Content:

1.      How is the piece useful?

2.      Does the beginning hold your interest? Does the first sentence work? 

3.      Does the title work?

4.      What details were most effective?

5.      Where does the author “show” best?  Where is the author “telling” rather than “showing”?

6.      What do you want to know more about (but remember this is a short piece [700 wds max])?

7.      What do you want to know less about?  What should be left out?

8.      Does the ending work (bring a sense of closure)? Does the last sentence work?

9.      Does the contact information work? Complete? Useful??

Organization:

10.  Does the order of ideas work?

11.  Do the paragraphs work (purposeful, one-topic paragraphs)?

Sentence style:

12.  Did you have to re-read any sentences? Paragraphs?

13.  Does the tone work?

14.  Are there any clichés--trite phrases?

15.  Are there any sentences that slow the reader down/ make the piece difficult to read?

General:

16.  Do you have any suggestions for the writer?