Story Check Skill
Invocation Triggers
Apply this skill when:
- Evaluating a screenplay draft
- Identifying story weaknesses
- Preparing for rewrites
- Validating story fundamentals before submission
The 12 Story Questions
Here are twelve great questions you should ask yourself about your script/story while you are developing it. You should actually chart it out.
Question 1: Story Elements
What are the elements of my story?
- What is my story's concept?
- What genre is my story?
CONCEPT: ___________________________________
GENRE: ___________________________________Question 2: Message
What do I want to say with my script or story?
- The state of the world?
- Relationships?
- Governments?
- Religions?
- Life in general?
- People?
THEME/MESSAGE: ___________________________________Question 3: Audience Reaction
How will audiences or readers react to my story?
- Interesting?
- Believable? Is it a true story?
- Credible?
- Compelling?
| Criterion | Rating (1-5) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interesting | ||
| Believable | ||
| Credible | ||
| Compelling |
Question 4: Beginning
Where does my story begin?
- What is the setup?
- Is the protagonist in a crisis?
- Have you established your world? The rules?
- The restrictions?
SETUP: ___________________________________
WORLD RULES: ___________________________________Question 5: Ending
Where does my story end?
- What is the outcome or resolution? And why?
- Do you answer any and all questions presented?
- Did you fulfill the premise of the story?
RESOLUTION: ___________________________________
QUESTIONS ANSWERED: [ ] Yes [ ] Partial [ ] No
PREMISE FULFILLED: [ ] Yes [ ] NoQuestion 6: Rising Tensions
Are there rising tensions?
- Are there surprises?
- How does the conflict escalate?
- Is there a climax?
SURPRISE COUNT: ___
ESCALATION PATTERN: ___________________________________
CLIMAX: ___________________________________Question 7: Characters
Who are my characters?
- Are they likable?
- Interesting? Unique or different?
- Bigger than life?
- Will an audience care about them?
| Character | Likable | Interesting | Unique | Care Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Question 8: Protagonist
What or who is my protagonist like?
- Can audiences empathize with them?
- What do they want?
- What are their goals in life? Needs?
- What's at stake for them?
- Are they tied to the problem they face?
- Are they in a position of no turning back?
EMPATHY: [ ] Strong [ ] Moderate [ ] Weak
WANT: ___________________________________
NEED: ___________________________________
STAKES: ___________________________________
POINT OF NO RETURN: Page ___Question 9: Motivation
What are my characters' motivations?
- Are these motivations shown?
- Justified or unjustified?
- Built into the story?
PROTAGONIST MOTIVATION: ___________________________________
SHOWN ON SCREEN: [ ] Yes [ ] No
JUSTIFIED: [ ] Yes [ ] No
BUILT INTO STORY: [ ] Yes [ ] NoQuestion 10: Antagonist
Who or what is the antagonist in my story?
- Why are they trying to stop your protagonist?
- Is the antagonist a worthy foe?
- What drives them?
- What do they want or need?
ANTAGONIST: ___________________________________
MOTIVATION: ___________________________________
WORTHY FOE: [ ] Yes [ ] No
WANT: ___________________________________Question 11: Over-Explanation
Do I over-explain my story?
- Is everything spelled out too clearly?
- Is the setup "messy" and too busy?
- Do events get explained or unfold dramatically?
- Do too many key events take place off screen?
| Issue | Present? | Page(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Over-explanation | ||
| Messy setup | ||
| Told not shown | ||
| Key events off screen |
Question 12: Believability
If my story and characters are fictitious, can I now believe that they are real?
BELIEVABILITY SCORE: ___/10
AREAS TO IMPROVE: ___________________________________Story Check Summary Template
## Story Check Summary: [TITLE]
### PASS/FAIL Assessment
| Question | Status | Notes |
|----------|--------|-------|
| 1. Elements | | |
| 2. Message | | |
| 3. Audience Reaction | | |
| 4. Beginning | | |
| 5. Ending | | |
| 6. Rising Tensions | | |
| 7. Characters | | |
| 8. Protagonist | | |
| 9. Motivation | | |
| 10. Antagonist | | |
| 11. Over-Explanation | | |
| 12. Believability | | |
### Critical Issues
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
### Recommended Actions
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
### Overall Assessment
[ ] Ready for submission
[ ] Needs minor revisions
[ ] Needs significant rewrite
[ ] Fundamental story issuesValidation Checklist
- All 12 questions answered honestly
- Issues documented with specific page references
- Action items prioritized
- Overall assessment reflects reality