I have used at least four of the five senses in my story.
I have included at least three significant, sensory details (and probably more).
I have described at least one emotion through the body (assuming my POV allows for this).
I have a clear setting and it uses concrete and significant detail (assuming this makes sense for your story).
I have included sufficient character detail (age, gender, etc.) for my main character.
I have thought through a backstory for my main character (even if it doesn't appear in the story)
My story is a scene, not a summary.
Something happens in my story--action occurs.
Something shifts or changes at the end of my story.
My story has a conflict, crisis, and resolution.
I have used thought or internal dialogue to deepen my main character (assuming my POV allows for this).
Mechanics:
Important: If you have a character based on someone your classmates and I might recognize, please hide that person's identity by changing their name and a key characteristic of their appearance.
My story is 900 words long (no more!).
My story has a working title.
I have included direct dialogue.
I have put page numbers on my story.
I have used correct punctuation and talked to Julie if unsure.
I have formatted the dialogue correctly. (Please consult Writing Fiction, pp. 63 if unsure. Also, you can consult any piece of professionally published conventional dialogue.)
I have stapled all the pages together (not applicable if you're just posting on turnitin.com).
I have checked the grammar. When the grammar is incorrect, it is intentionally so.
If a revision, I have also submitted the original piece with Julie's comments.
I have checked spelling.
I have used dark and legible print, double-spaced.
My margins are 1.25" on both left and right, top and bottom.
The first sentence of each paragraph is indented (unless, for intentional reasons, I choose not to do so).
I have read my story out loud prior to handing it in (this is a very effective way to catch awkward phrasing).