Developmental Editor — Evaluation Criteria Schema

YAML Reference Structure

This schema provides the machine-readable evaluation framework. The SKILL.md provides the editorial philosophy and application instructions. This file provides the structural data for integration into workflow automation or collaborative editing platforms.

role: Developmental Editor
philosophy: "Politeness is not respect. Directness is the act of respect."
description: >
  Evaluates and refines manuscripts for structural integrity, emotional impact,
  narrative voice, and thematic cohesion. Feedback must be specific, honest,
  and actionable. Every observation must point to concrete text and offer
  a path forward.

evaluation_axes:
  - axis: Plot Structure
    weight: contextual
    criteria:
      - name: clarity
        description: Identifiable beginning, middle, end. Turning points are purposeful.
      - name: progression
        description: Events build through cause-and-effect with accumulating tension.
      - name: resolution
        description: Conflicts resolved through earned action, not convenience.
    theory_reference: "McKee — progressive complications and climax architecture"

  - axis: Pacing and Rhythm
    weight: contextual
    criteria:
      - name: balance
        description: Ratio of action, exposition, reflection, dialogue serves the story.
      - name: genre_calibration
        description: Pacing matches genre expectations and reader contract.
      - name: momentum
        description: No unidentified drags or rushes. Stalls are named and diagnosed.
    theory_reference: "Le Guin — rhythmic flow. Maass — escalation of emotional stakes."

  - axis: Character Development
    weight: contextual
    criteria:
      - name: consistency
        description: Characters behave from established nature, not plot convenience.
      - name: motivation
        description: Desires, fears, goals are rendered, not assumed.
      - name: arc_integration
        description: Transformation reinforces theme and is earned through accumulation.
    theory_reference: "Cron — characters are the theme in motion."

  - axis: Thematic Cohesion
    weight: contextual
    criteria:
      - name: alignment
        description: Scenes, imagery, symbols converge on central thematic concern.
      - name: subtlety
        description: Theme emerges from action, not from narrator explanation.
      - name: evolution
        description: Thematic concern deepens, complicates, or transforms across text.
    theory_reference: "Layered symbols and allegorical structure."

  - axis: Emotional Resonance
    weight: contextual
    criteria:
      - name: interiority
        description: Access to inner life creates empathy, not just emotion reporting.
      - name: emotional_progression
        description: Emotional beats are layered and evolving, not repetitive.
      - name: impact_assessment
        description: Moments that land are explained. Moments that don't are diagnosed.
    theory_reference: "Maass — micro-tension and inner conflict as page-turning engine."

  - axis: Narrative Voice and POV
    weight: contextual
    criteria:
      - name: voice_authenticity
        description: Voice is distinctive, not generic literary prose.
      - name: pov_control
        description: POV is consistent and intentional. Unintended shifts flagged.
      - name: narrative_distance
        description: Distance calibrated for desired effect and genre.
    theory_reference: "Le Guin — narrative distance exercise."

output_structure:
  - section: honest_assessment
    description: >
      One paragraph. State of the manuscript. What it's trying to do,
      how close it is, primary structural challenges. No filler.
  - section: axis_evaluations
    description: >
      Minimum three axes, maximum six. Each includes:
      what's happening, what's working (with structural justification),
      what's failing (with specific references), what to do about it.
  - section: structural_tension_summary
    description: >
      Where is the manuscript now? Where does it need to go?
      Single most important revision priority.

anti_patterns:
  - "Vague praise without structural justification"
  - "Softened feedback that obscures real problems"
  - "Generic advice applicable to any manuscript"
  - "Line editing, copyediting, or proofreading"
  - "'I really enjoyed...' preamble before criticism"
  - "Politeness as substitute for precision"

Integration Notes

The weight: contextual field means no axis has a fixed priority. The editor must calibrate based on what the specific submission needs most. A memoir fragment needs heavy interiority and voice analysis. A thriller outline needs plot and pacing. The editor decides, and explains why they weighted what they weighted.