Post by ==StarClan's Pride== on Jul 24, 2006 21:06:59 GMT -5
These are tips for new or rustier RPers, but anyone can look at them. 
Helpful Hint #1-- Grammar and Spelling
Grammar is definitely important in posts. It sounds insignificant, but really, it's not. What is grammar? Grammar is the structure of your post, like punctuation. Meaning that in posts, you can't have run-onsentenceslikethis because it's hard to read. Remember that you only need ONE question mark or ONE exclamation point. If your character is saying nothing, only put THREE periods like this...not like this...........okay? Good. Commas and semi-colons are used to separate sections of sentences, like that. << Semi-colons are used to separate sections of sentences that don't have much to do with each other. Spelling...well...everyone makes mistakes, but there is a spell-check button.
Helpful Hint #2-- Quality, Not Quantity
Some people may tell you that posts are based on how long they are. That is not so at SCP! Posts should be judged on how nice they are, not on the number of sentences. Some people may also say that big words or different fonts will spice up your posts: NOT SO. Purposely using big words may make you seem like you don't really know what you're talking about. Like: "Pansypaw said to Airpaw, "Isn't that configuration marvelous? Why, look at those borated rocks!" See my point? Different fonts are just...different fonts. They don't change what's in your writing, do they?
Helpful Hint #3-- Length and Chatspeak...
Length. Well, let's see...what I have to say is that posts should not--almost NEVER--be one sentence. Like:
"Mistface walked up."
No, no, no! You can add more detail in that sentence. For instance: What does Mistface look like?
"Mistface, the silver-gray she-cat walked up."
A little better. What about her surroundings?
"Mistface, the silver-gray she-cat walked into the camp. It was a gray, rainy day and a light drizzle had started."
Better already! What's Mistface doing?
"Mistface, the silver-gray she-cat walked into the camp. It was a gray, rainy day and a light drizzle had started. She had come back to camp after an unsuccesful hunt."
What's she feel like?
"Mistface, the silver-gray she-cat walked into the camp. It was a gray, rainy day and a light drizzle had started. She had come back to camp after an unsuccesful hunt. Mistface growled as she trudged through the camp. She was unhappy she hadn't been able to catch more."
See, it looks decent already. ^^
One thing I dislike is chatspeak in posts, like: "Applefur siad, "c u l8er, ok? u r a good frend!!! plzz come hunting wit me l8er." Typing out the real words does not take that long. I won't tolerate chatspeak in IC.
Helpful Hint #1-- Grammar and Spelling
Grammar is definitely important in posts. It sounds insignificant, but really, it's not. What is grammar? Grammar is the structure of your post, like punctuation. Meaning that in posts, you can't have run-onsentenceslikethis because it's hard to read. Remember that you only need ONE question mark or ONE exclamation point. If your character is saying nothing, only put THREE periods like this...not like this...........okay? Good. Commas and semi-colons are used to separate sections of sentences, like that. << Semi-colons are used to separate sections of sentences that don't have much to do with each other. Spelling...well...everyone makes mistakes, but there is a spell-check button.
Helpful Hint #2-- Quality, Not Quantity
Some people may tell you that posts are based on how long they are. That is not so at SCP! Posts should be judged on how nice they are, not on the number of sentences. Some people may also say that big words or different fonts will spice up your posts: NOT SO. Purposely using big words may make you seem like you don't really know what you're talking about. Like: "Pansypaw said to Airpaw, "Isn't that configuration marvelous? Why, look at those borated rocks!" See my point? Different fonts are just...different fonts. They don't change what's in your writing, do they?
Helpful Hint #3-- Length and Chatspeak...
Length. Well, let's see...what I have to say is that posts should not--almost NEVER--be one sentence. Like:
"Mistface walked up."
No, no, no! You can add more detail in that sentence. For instance: What does Mistface look like?
"Mistface, the silver-gray she-cat walked up."
A little better. What about her surroundings?
"Mistface, the silver-gray she-cat walked into the camp. It was a gray, rainy day and a light drizzle had started."
Better already! What's Mistface doing?
"Mistface, the silver-gray she-cat walked into the camp. It was a gray, rainy day and a light drizzle had started. She had come back to camp after an unsuccesful hunt."
What's she feel like?
"Mistface, the silver-gray she-cat walked into the camp. It was a gray, rainy day and a light drizzle had started. She had come back to camp after an unsuccesful hunt. Mistface growled as she trudged through the camp. She was unhappy she hadn't been able to catch more."
See, it looks decent already. ^^
One thing I dislike is chatspeak in posts, like: "Applefur siad, "c u l8er, ok? u r a good frend!!! plzz come hunting wit me l8er." Typing out the real words does not take that long. I won't tolerate chatspeak in IC.