A Guide to Role Playing

Since we don't have one yet, I might as well (as the grammar nerd that I am) post a guide! ^^
(I've always wanted to do this...)

Posting in the Role Playing boards

There is a lovely thing somewhere around here called a 5-7 line rule. With this rule, every post made by a role player (within context of the actual role play) must be at least 5-7 lines long. For example, if I were to create a role play, before it starts, one-line posts are okay, since the role play hasn't started, and usually it's just a few Q&A's, who's accepted, or just mindless chatter (please keep the latter to a minimum).
However, in the context of the role play, please do your best to make a 5-7 line wall of text.

Grammar

Then, there is the enormous problem of grammar. For this purpose, one line will be sufficient.

but then i heard a cry in the distance. "lets go guys i think it was over in that direction hurry!"

There are multiple problems with this particular line. Let's take them out one at a time.

1. The first word in a sentence, the first letter you type...CAPITALIZE! Use the Caps Lock if you have to, press SHIFT then the letter that needs to be capitalized!

2. The letter "i" used as a word to define that it is YOU speaking, but be capitalized, otherwise it isn't a word. So "i went through the forest" is incorrect. "I went through the forest." Is correct.

3. It's missing punctuation in multiple places. Can you find it? Here's a preview of everything we've covered so far:

But then I hear a cry in the distance. "Let's go guys, I think it was over in that direction. Hurry!"

Looks much better than before, ya?

Grammar is your friend, it loves you! Embrace the grammar and make it your own!

Character sheets

Code:

[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Gender:[/b]
[b]Appearance:[/b]
[b]Personality:[/b]
[b]Biography:[/b]

Name: You should already know about these, they are the thing your character is called in the role play.

Age: Please, unless specified otherwise by the owner of the role play, keep this realistic. Nobody can be a 2000-year-old pokemon trainer.

Gender: No Hermaphrodites please.

Appearance: A description is fine, and pictures are on equal grounds. If you can describe your appearance, please do. If you don't, then pictures are just as effective.

Personality: This is who your character is, whether he or she is smart, funny, or has a particular air of authority, this is the place to write it. Normally 2-3 lines long

Biography: This is your character's history. Where did he/she come from and where are they going? What are their goals in life? Such questions may be answered in 2-3 paragraphs (5-7 lines each). Or if you're feeling lazy, 1 paragraph. Which is fine, but please try to do, at the very least, 3 paragraphs. There is a lot you should be able to say about your character, so please do.

Role Playing and You

Please be friendly and active on the boards, and to those of you who are creators of a role play, remember: The Role Play dies with it's leader, not with those who apply. It's in your hands whether the role play is a success or not, so do try your best!

Zeri, signing out~<3

We have some lovely writers out there that have contributed to the cause, so their posts will be recorded below out of thanks.

Shadow27 wrote:Also, don't forget about post quality:

He entered the room, picked up his bag and looked out of the window for the last time...

This sentence could be improved a whole lot:

He entered the particularly small room through the old wooden door, picked up his bag that was on the table and took his time to look out of the window for the last time, just to see a sea of buildings and a vast, nighttime sky...

That's better!

Masquerade wrote:That's a very good point Shadow. Look at how this sentence...

She drew her sword.

...differs from this sentence...err, paragraph ^ ^;

The captain of the Royal Knights glissaded her sword from its ornate sheathe elegantly with the meticulousness that only a master swordswoman could possibly retain. She cherished the shimmering blade, an aquamarine masterpiece glinting with oceanic radiance in the emanation of the sun. The hilt was an aureate conglomeration of intricately carved seashells. Though the tranquility of those seashells and the irresistible calm of the magnificent waves that permeated the remainder of the hilt foretold a tale of triumph and beneficence, a stygian nature underlied the ominous obsidian, devoid of vividity as the perpetual darkness of the starless sky, its expanse saturated with the lost hopes and broken dreams of those who face eternal punishment.

That second paragraph is an actual example of my role playing ability. =3

This looks nice. :3 I was planning on doing one, but I was too lazy. I'm glad someone else had the idea too. ^^

*Signs petition for sticky*

Thank you, Zeri, for your kind contribution~!

You could learn something from her, Durn....>> lolz

Masquerade wrote:Thank you, Zeri, for your kind contribution~!

You could learn something from her, Durn....>> lolz

Soz for being lazy. >.>

I'll get some helpful topic up soon... Maybe. xD

Also, is it possible to sticky threads on these forums?

Masquerade wrote:Thank you, Zeri, for your kind contribution~!

You could learn something from her, Durn....>> lolz

No problem! I love helping out. ^^

Just a notice, I may add something else later if the post quality gets too much out of hand. ^^

If I'm not mistaken, yeah. Threads can become sticky, yes.

And that would be great, Zeri~~ =3

I posted some writing tips in the Writing section, just 'cause. ^^

Also, don't forget about post quality:

He entered the room, picked up his bag and looked out of the window for the last time...

This sentence could be improved a whole lot:

He entered the particularly small room through the old wooden door, picked up his bag that was on the table and took his time to look out of the window for the last time, just to see a sea of buildings and a vast, nighttime sky...

That's better!

That's a very good point Shadow. Look at how this sentence...

She drew her sword.

...differs from this sentence...err, paragraph ^ ^;

The captain of the Royal Knights glissaded her sword from its ornate sheathe elegantly with the meticulousness that only a master swordswoman could possibly retain. She cherished the shimmering blade, an aquamarine masterpiece glinting with oceanic radiance in the emanation of the sun. The hilt was an aureate conglomeration of intricately carved seashells. Though the tranquility of those seashells and the irresistible calm of the magnificent waves that permeated the remainder of the hilt foretold a tale of triumph and beneficence, a stygian nature underlied the ominous obsidian, devoid of vividity as the perpetual darkness of the starless sky, its expanse saturated with the lost hopes and broken dreams of those who face eternal punishment.

That second paragraph is an actual example of my role playing ability. =3

Sir, you have just achieved what it's called Epicness.

Holy Moses...I think I've fallen in love...~<3

This awnsered A BUNCH of my questions !!! This is a little different than the other forum I am on ...THANKS!!!! Now I think I actually know what I am doing