Skip to Content
📚 MyStoryFlow Docs — Your guide to preserving family stories

F010 - AI Analysis Methods (AutoCrit Feature Parity)

Objective

Document comprehensive AI-only analysis methods that match and exceed AutoCrit’s manuscript analysis capabilities using OpenAI/Claude without external databases or human editors.

AutoCrit Analysis Categories - AI Implementation

1. Pacing & Momentum Analysis

How AutoCrit Does It

  • Analyzes sentence variation, paragraph variation, chapter variation
  • Identifies slow-paced paragraphs compared to genre standards
  • Provides pacing comparison with bestselling novels

Our AI-Only Implementation

interface PacingAnalysis { sentenceVariation: { score: number; // 0-100 averageLength: number; variationCoefficient: number; shortSentenceRatio: number; // <10 words longSentenceRatio: number; // >25 words examples: { effective: string[]; needsImprovement: string[]; }; }; paragraphFlow: { score: number; averageParagraphLength: number; dialogueToNarrativeRatio: number; transitionEffectiveness: number; slowSections: Array<{ location: string; reason: string; suggestion: string; }>; }; chapterPacing: { score: number; chapterLengthConsistency: number; endingHooks: number; openingStrength: number; pacingVariation: number; }; overallMomentum: { score: number; tensionCurve: Array<{ chapter: number; tensionLevel: number }>; actionSceneRatio: number; contemplativeSceneRatio: number; }; } // AI Prompt Strategy for Pacing Analysis const PACING_ANALYSIS_PROMPT = ` You are a professional manuscript editor analyzing pacing and momentum. ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS: 1. SENTENCE VARIATION: Count tokens per sentence and evaluate variety - Short sentences (1-10 words): Good for impact, tension - Medium sentences (11-25 words): Standard narrative flow - Long sentences (25+ words): Description, complex ideas - Flag monotonous patterns 2. PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE: Evaluate paragraph flow and rhythm - Dialogue-heavy paragraphs: Fast pace - Description-heavy paragraphs: Slower pace - Action paragraphs: Dynamic pace - Identify paragraphs that feel sluggish 3. CHAPTER MOMENTUM: Assess chapter-level pacing - Opening hooks and closing hooks - Balance of action vs. contemplation - Scene transitions and their effectiveness 4. SLOW SECTION IDENTIFICATION: Find areas that drag - Long descriptive passages without action - Repetitive internal monologue - Lack of conflict or tension - Poor dialogue-to-narrative balance MANUSCRIPT CONTENT: [CONTENT_HERE] Provide detailed analysis with specific examples and numerical scores. `; async function analyzePacing(content: string, genre: string): Promise<PacingAnalysis> { const prompt = buildPacingPrompt(content, genre); const aiResponse = await aiService.analyze(prompt); return { sentenceVariation: extractSentenceMetrics(aiResponse), paragraphFlow: extractParagraphMetrics(aiResponse), chapterPacing: extractChapterMetrics(aiResponse), overallMomentum: calculateMomentumScore(aiResponse) }; }

2. Dialogue Analysis

How AutoCrit Does It

  • Checks for natural-sounding dialogue
  • Identifies repetitive dialogue tags
  • Flags unnecessary adverbs in dialogue
  • Evaluates character voice distinction

Our AI-Only Implementation

interface DialogueAnalysis { naturalness: { score: number; conversationalFlow: number; authenticity: number; examples: { natural: string[]; stilted: string[]; }; }; characterVoice: { score: number; voiceDistinction: number; consistencyPerCharacter: Record<string, number>; speechPatterns: Record<string, string[]>; }; technicalQuality: { score: number; tagVariety: number; adverbOveruse: number; punctuationCorrectness: number; repetitiveTagCount: number; }; subtext: { score: number; subtextPresence: number; emotionalDepth: number; conflictInDialogue: number; }; } const DIALOGUE_ANALYSIS_PROMPT = ` You are analyzing dialogue quality in this manuscript. Evaluate: 1. NATURALNESS: Does dialogue sound like real conversation? - Contractions usage (natural speech patterns) - Sentence fragments and interruptions - Realistic vocabulary for character age/background - Avoid overly formal or stiff language 2. CHARACTER VOICE DISTINCTION: Can you tell characters apart by speech alone? - Unique vocabulary per character - Different sentence structures - Consistent speech patterns - Age/background-appropriate language 3. TECHNICAL DIALOGUE CRAFT: - Count dialogue tags: "said" vs. other tags - Identify adverbs in dialogue tags (usually unnecessary) - Check punctuation correctness - Flag repetitive tag patterns 4. SUBTEXT AND DEPTH: - Characters saying one thing, meaning another - Emotional undercurrents in conversation - Conflict and tension in dialogue - Characters revealing personality through speech DIALOGUE EXAMPLES FROM MANUSCRIPT: [DIALOGUE_HERE] Provide specific feedback with examples of effective and problematic dialogue. `;

3. Character Development Analysis

How AutoCrit Does It

  • Tracks character arcs and development
  • Identifies lack of clear motivation
  • Checks for character consistency
  • Analyzes protagonist development

Our AI-Only Implementation

interface CharacterAnalysis { arcDevelopment: { score: number; protagonistArc: { startingPoint: string; growthMoments: string[]; endingPoint: string; changeMetrics: number; }; supportingCharacterArcs: Array<{ character: string; arcScore: number; development: string; }>; }; motivation: { score: number; goalsClarity: number; motivationConsistency: number; internalConflict: number; externalConflict: number; }; consistency: { score: number; behaviorConsistency: number; speechPatternConsistency: number; physicalDescriptionConsistency: number; contradictions: string[]; }; relationshipDynamics: { score: number; relationshipDevelopment: number; conflictDynamics: number; supportingRelationships: number; }; } const CHARACTER_ANALYSIS_PROMPT = ` Analyze character development throughout this manuscript: 1. CHARACTER ARC TRACKING: - Identify the protagonist and their starting emotional/psychological state - Track key moments of growth, change, or realization - Evaluate the ending state vs. beginning state - Assess if the character truly changes and grows 2. MOTIVATION ANALYSIS: - What does each major character want? (external goals) - What do they need? (internal growth) - Are motivations clear and compelling? - Do characters make decisions consistent with their goals? 3. CONSISTENCY CHECKING: - Physical descriptions: height, eye color, age consistency - Personality traits: behavior patterns throughout story - Speech patterns: vocabulary and manner of speaking - Skills and abilities: what characters can/cannot do 4. RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS: - How do character relationships evolve? - Are conflicts between characters realistic and compelling? - Do characters influence each other's growth? MANUSCRIPT CONTENT: [CONTENT_HERE] Focus on major characters and provide specific examples of development or lack thereof. `;

4. Plot Structure Analysis

How AutoCrit Does It

  • Identifies plot holes and contradictory events
  • Analyzes plot structure and development
  • Checks for unresolved plot threads
  • Evaluates conflict escalation

Our AI-Only Implementation

interface PlotAnalysis { structure: { score: number; threeActStructure: { act1Percentage: number; act2Percentage: number; act3Percentage: number; structureBalance: number; }; plotPoints: { incitingIncident: string; midpoint: string; climax: string; resolution: string; }; }; consistency: { score: number; plotHoles: Array<{ issue: string; location: string; severity: 'minor' | 'major' | 'critical'; }>; contradictions: string[]; timelineConsistency: number; }; conflictDevelopment: { score: number; conflictEscalation: number; stakesProgression: number; resolutionSatisfaction: number; }; threadResolution: { score: number; unresolvedThreads: string[]; setupPayoffPairs: Array<{ setup: string; payoff: string; effectiveness: number; }>; }; } const PLOT_ANALYSIS_PROMPT = ` Analyze plot structure and consistency: 1. STORY STRUCTURE: - Identify Act 1 (setup): approximately 25% of story - Identify Act 2 (development): approximately 50% of story - Identify Act 3 (resolution): approximately 25% of story - Locate: inciting incident, midpoint twist, climax, resolution 2. PLOT HOLE DETECTION: - Timeline inconsistencies (character ages, dates, seasons) - Character ability inconsistencies (suddenly knowing skills) - Logic gaps (how did character get from A to B?) - Missing motivation explanations - Contradictory information between scenes 3. CONFLICT ESCALATION: - Does tension increase throughout the story? - Are stakes raised appropriately? - Do obstacles become more challenging? - Is the climax the highest point of tension? 4. SETUP AND PAYOFF: - Information introduced early that becomes important later - Chekhov's gun principle: if introduced, must be used - Foreshadowing effectiveness - Unresolved plot threads MANUSCRIPT CONTENT: [CONTENT_HERE] Identify specific issues with exact locations and severity levels. `;

5. Point of View (POV) Analysis

How AutoCrit Does It

  • Checks POV consistency throughout manuscript
  • Identifies head-hopping issues
  • Evaluates POV effectiveness

Our AI-Only Implementation

interface POVAnalysis { consistency: { score: number; povType: 'first' | 'second' | 'third-limited' | 'third-omniscient' | 'mixed'; povSwitches: Array<{ location: string; fromCharacter: string; toCharacter: string; appropriate: boolean; }>; headHoppingInstances: string[]; }; effectiveness: { score: number; povChoiceAppropriate: number; characterVoiceStrength: number; intimacyLevel: number; }; } const POV_ANALYSIS_PROMPT = ` Analyze point of view consistency and effectiveness: 1. POV IDENTIFICATION: - Identify primary POV type (first person, third limited, etc.) - Track which character's perspective we're following - Note any POV switches between scenes/chapters 2. CONSISTENCY CHECKING: - Can we only know what the POV character knows? - Do we only see what the POV character can see? - Are there inappropriate "mind reading" moments? - Is internal voice consistent with POV character? 3. HEAD-HOPPING DETECTION: - Switching POV within a scene without clear breaks - Knowing other characters' thoughts inappropriately - Seeing things the POV character couldn't see MANUSCRIPT CONTENT: [CONTENT_HERE] Flag specific instances of POV violations with exact quotes. `;

6. World Building Analysis

How AutoCrit Does It

  • Evaluates world-building consistency
  • Analyzes setting development
  • Checks for authentic details

Our AI-Only Implementation

interface WorldBuildingAnalysis { consistency: { score: number; settingDetails: number; rulesConsistency: number; geographyLogic: number; }; immersion: { score: number; sensoryDetails: number; culturalAuthenticity: number; believability: number; }; development: { score: number; worldComplexity: number; originalityScore: number; integrationWithPlot: number; }; } // Additional analysis methods for Strong Writing, Word Choice, and Foreshadowing // follow similar patterns with specific AI prompts and scoring algorithms

7. AI Response Processing

class AIResponseProcessor { parseAnalysisResponse(response: string, category: string): CategoryResult { try { const parsed = JSON.parse(response); return { score: this.validateScore(parsed.score), feedback: parsed.feedback || '', strengths: parsed.strengths || [], weaknesses: parsed.weaknesses || [], examples: parsed.examples || {}, suggestions: parsed.suggestions || [] }; } catch (error) { return this.createErrorResult(category, error); } } validateScore(score: any): number { const numScore = Number(score); if (isNaN(numScore) || numScore < 0 || numScore > 100) { return 50; // Default neutral score } return Math.round(numScore); } createErrorResult(category: string, error: Error): CategoryResult { return { score: 0, feedback: `Analysis failed for ${category}: ${error.message}`, strengths: [], weaknesses: ['Analysis could not be completed'], examples: {}, suggestions: ['Please try re-running the analysis'] }; } }

Competitive Advantages Over AutoCrit

1. Speed Advantage

  • AutoCrit: Several minutes to hours for analysis
  • Our Approach: Sub-5-minute analysis with parallel processing

2. Depth of Analysis

  • AutoCrit: Basic pattern recognition
  • Our Approach: Contextual AI understanding with specific examples

3. Actionable Feedback

  • AutoCrit: Identifies problems
  • Our Approach: Identifies problems + provides specific improvement suggestions

4. Genre Intelligence

  • AutoCrit: Basic genre comparison
  • Our Approach: Deep genre-specific analysis with targeted feedback

5. Multi-Model Validation

  • AutoCrit: Single analysis engine
  • Our Approach: OpenAI + Claude validation for higher accuracy

Implementation Priority

Phase 1: Core Parity (Week 1-2)

  1. Pacing analysis with slow section detection
  2. Dialogue analysis with tag/adverb flagging
  3. Character development tracking
  4. Basic plot structure analysis

Phase 2: Advanced Features (Week 3-4)

  1. POV consistency checking
  2. World building analysis
  3. Strong writing evaluation
  4. Genre-specific refinements

Phase 3: Quality Enhancement (Week 5-6)

  1. Multi-model validation
  2. Confidence scoring
  3. Error handling and fallbacks
  4. Performance optimization

This AI-only approach will match AutoCrit’s analysis categories while providing faster, more detailed, and more actionable feedback for authors.