Opening Pages Structural Diagnostic
Sample excerpt. Details anonymised. Structural analysis only.
What You Get with Story Integrity Diagnostic™
Story Integrity Diagnostic™
Summary
- 1.Address scene turn structure before revising prose
- 2.Add consequence delivery at chapter endings
- 3.Clarify protagonist goal by page 3
Failure Zone Analysis
Your opening pages establish setting and character competently, but the narrative pressure dissipates after the inciting incident. Scenes end on summary rather than changed situations, which resets tension instead of building it.
The protagonist's goal is implied but not stated directly, which makes the reader work harder to understand the stakes. By page 5, we should know what they want and what prevents them from getting it.
Action Steps
Rewrite scene endings to show changed situations
Currently scenes end on reflection. This bleeds tension. Readers need to feel that something is different after each scene.
Each scene ends with a decision, consequence, or revelation that changes the protagonist's options.
Move goal statement to first chapter
Delayed goal statements make openings feel aimless. Readers tolerate uncertainty for about 3 pages.
By the end of chapter one, readers can articulate what the protagonist wants and why it matters.
Add physical constraint to the opening scene
The setting exists but does not pressure the character. Constraint creates urgency.
The protagonist must navigate the environment, not just observe it.
This diagnostic addresses structural integrity of opening pages. It does not provide line-level edits, proofreading, or prose stylisation. Full reports include additional context based on manuscript specifics.
Ready to Get Your Own Diagnosis?
Start with the free diagnostic quiz to identify your failure zone, or proceed directly to Story Integrity Diagnostic™.