Beta Reading Guide

This beta reading questionaire serves as a guide to sending exceptional feedback to a working manuscript for any fictitious novel or short story. 

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Opening Scene: 

• Does the story begin with an interesting hook, creating a desire to read more? 
• Does the manuscript begin in the right place?

Characterisation & Motivation: 

• Are the characters compelling, sympathetic, or someone you can root for? 
• Do the characters feel real and three-dimensional, with distinct voices, flaws, and virtues? 
• Are their goals clear and proactive enough to influence the plot (not passive)? 
• Do their motivations seem believable, with well-drawn and appropriate emotion? 
• Are the secondary characters well-rounded and enhance the story rather than overwhelming the story or seeming like they should be cut? 
• Are the relationships between the characters believable and not contrived?

Plot & Conflict: 

• Are the internal and external conflicts well defined for each main character? 
• Are the internal and external conflicts organic and believable, i.e. arising out of characterisation and circumstance rather than feeling contrived or forced? 
• Are there enough stakes and/or tension throughout to make it a “page turner”? 
• Does the premise avoid cliché and/or bring a fresh perspective to an old idea? 
• Are the plot twists believable yet unexpected? 
• Do the characters act or react to events in a plausible, realistic, or believable way?

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Pacing:

• Do scenes progress in a realistic, compelling manner and flow with effective transitions?
• Does every scene add to and seem important to the story? 
• Does the story move along at an appropriate pace, without rushing or dragging? 
• Is there a hook at the end of each chapter or scene that makes you want to read more? 
• Is the story free from information dumps or backstory that slow the pace of the story? 

Setting & World Building: 

• Are descriptions vivid and give a clear sense of time and place? 
• Do the details enhance rather than distract from the story? 

Dialogue: 

• Is the dialogue natural and appropriate for the story, not stilted or overly narrative? 
• Does dialogue move the story forward and reveal the characters? 
• Are characters’ voices consistent and distinct from one another? 
• Is there an appropriate mix of dialogue and narrative?

Craft: 

• Does the writing “show” the scene with the senses, using “telling” only as appropriate? 
• Does the writing quality allow the story to shine through and draw the reader in, or are flaws jarring or intrusive? 
• Is the tone appropriate and consistent for the story? 
• Is the point of view (and any changes) handled appropriately and consistently? 

Overall Impression: 

• Is the voice unique, fresh, or interesting? 
• Does the story deliver on the promise of its premise and opening scenes? 
• From a reader’s point of view, did you enjoy reading this story?

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Additional Questions for Comment: 

• Are there any confusing sections that should be made clearer? (Mark in the manuscript) 
• Do any sections take you out of the story? (Mark in the manuscript) 
• Is the story a good fit for the stated genre, and if not, why not? 
• Who are your favourite — and least favourite — characters and why? 
• What aspects are especially likeable or unlikable about the protagonist(s)? 
• What three things worked best for you? 
• What three things worked least for you?

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This beta reading questionaire serves as a guide to sending exceptional feedback to a working manuscript for any fictitious novel or short story.