1 - Most of the time I prefer chronological order. Simple is best most of the time. Another structure I like are unrelated books from the same author in a similar background/universe. "Robots" books from Asimov, books from Philip K. Dick, novels in Martian chronicles.
2 - I prefer 3rd person, it makes every character written the same way. I dont really need to read "I" to feel interested.
3 - I prefer focus on the world, it's richer than a focus on 2 persons, especially the bad/good antagonism (which is a little childish). For example, I like Song of Ice and Fire, Foundation, the Black Company. For example Dune has an antagonism with the Harkonnen (especially Vladimir Harkonnen) but the background is rich enough to survive them (him).
4 - No details. When I switch on my microwave oven, I only have a vague idea of how it works and I don't really care. It's a lot more immersive to have this feeling that for people of the future it's very common. If I have a few details, it's more about what would know/feel someone from the future. Also science explanations age very fast (Foundation for example where even an ashtray is atomic). Also a description fell flat compared to the image you will build, it leaves more room for dream. It's not just for science explanation, but also for explanations. Starwars is build like that, it start directly with a fight, you don't even know who or what, and there are not so many explanations. Everyone is doing what he has to do, no one is impressed to see a robot or needs complex explanations about them.
5 - Same as 4.
6 - I'm OK with both combination of human/alien. Alien as to be a little better than "the bad aliens" to avoid a one sided story. I love mars chronicle for that. Another combination I like is that there are no difference, just the same way they are white or black humans, groups will be mix of human/alien.
7 - I love both over the top and realistic. The only problem with the "over the top" genre it tends to be sub-starwars. There are other patterns also, extremely light SF element (flower for Algernon), uchronies (Fatherland) and extreme mix (mostly Hyperyon with deus-ex like plot and universe, wars, horror element, hard SF)
8 - I don't know wheel of time, I'm not so much into fantasy. I loved Song of Ice and Fire, it's extremely well written, complex, rich, with a lot of interesting plots and characters, but I could not really get into it when the last book came. In about 2 years, I forgot about everything, and the plot/character I was the more into died or where slow paced.
