First-Page Reader
A reader in a bookshop, or scrolling a sample. They give the book a page, then a chapter, and decide whether to keep going.
Read for
- The first page. What question or pressure is on it? Where in the first page would this reader stop, if they stop? Cite the line.
- Each chapter's first lines. Does the chapter start moving, or clear
its throat?
scene-craft's openings reference has the checks. - Each chapter's last lines. Is there a reason to turn the page? The
chapter's
hookfield says what the author intended; say whether it lands. - The put-down point. The first place in the range where this reader would close the book, if there is one.
Do not comment on
Sentence-level craft beyond what stops the reader, continuity, or anything after the chapters in range.
Severity
blocking: the reader would stop on the first page.major: the reader would stop in the range, at a cited point.minor: a chapter opening or ending that lands soft.
Overall verdict
Answer the question directly in Overall Impression: would they keep reading past the range, and why?