Audiobook Assessment Criteria

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1. Vocal Quality & Tone

 

• Clarity and pleasantness of voice

• Consistency of tone throughout
• Suitability of voice to the genre/character

 

Scoring

1 = hard to understand, grating, inconsistent
2 = mostly clear but uneven or occasionally unsuitable
3 = good clarity but not consistently aligned with story tone
4 = strong, appealing voice well matched to the material
5 = outstanding clarity, resonance, and perfect tonal fit

 

​2. Characterisation & Performance

 

• Distinct, recognisable character voices
• Emotional authenticity
• Avoids caricature or overacting

 

Scoring

1 = flat or confusing characters
2 = attempts variety but lacks convincing emotion
3 = solid effort, some strong moments
4 = convincing, emotionally rich characters
5 = highly immersive, cinematic performance

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3. Pacing, Rhythm & Flow

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• Natural pacing (not rushed or slow)
• Smooth transitions and phrasing
• Good use of pauses for dramatic effect

 

Scoring

1 = rushed/dragging, disruptive pauses
2 = inconsistent pace, occasionally distracting
3 = generally good but uneven in sections
4 = smooth, confident pacing with good rhythm
5 = expert control, effortless narrative flow

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4. Technical Production Quality

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• Clean audio (no hiss, mouth noise, pops)
• Consistent volume levels
• Professional mixing/mastering

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Scoring

1 = noticeable hiss, pops, room noise
2 = minor issues present often enough to distract
3 = acceptable but not polished
4 = clean, well-edited with rare imperfections
5 = studio-level quality with flawless consistency

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5. Engagement & Listener Experience

 

• Holds attention throughout
• Enhances the story rather than distracting
• Re-listen appeal / immersive quality

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Scoring

1 = dull or difficult to stay engaged
2 = sporadically engaging but uneven
3 = generally enjoyable but not captivating
4 = engaging, adds richness to the story
5 = highly compelling, elevates the entire audiobook

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Total Score and Star Rating Matrix

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Scores                    Star Rating
5    5    5    5    5         5.0
5    5    5    5    4         4.8
5    5    5    4    4         4.6
5    5    4    4    4          4.4
5    4    4    4    4          4.2
4    4    4    4    4          4.0
4    4    4    4    3          3.8
4    4    4    3    3          3.6
4    4    3    3    3          3.4
No Rating, we will not post a review below 3 stars.                    
 

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