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Roleplay Guide for Rants
WHAT IS ROLEPLAYING?
The dictionary definition of roleplay is "to assume or act out a particular role." Roleplay is, basically, assuming the form of a character, and writing as that character, in a certain setting. It's writing, but more/less structured, depending on how you look at it. When you set to write a story, you must write the setting, the plot, the characters, everything. When you roleplay, the setting and main plot has already been decided, as well as every character but your own. You have control over only half of the story, your own side. The other half is up to the other players. This strengthens interaction skills.
Roleplaying, in essence, is assuming the role of another entity. You write that entity's actions, thoughts, and words, in response to other people's entities. It's sort of like a play, except not quite so live-action and not nearly so rehearsed. Roleplaying is less of a story and more of a dialogue (though not limited to two) with actions incorporated. Plots can tie everything together, or you can let things happen as they will, but one thing is certain--anything is possible, because you are in charge.
LABELS AND TERMS
There are many different labels for people at different skill levels, they aren’t really meant to put them down but they generally distinguish different kind of roleplayers so that people with higher standards can get more out of what they want to roleplay.
Illiterate: Usually beginners, illiterates are known to use very generic list descriptions like such—
Name: mister so and so
Gender: male
Eyes: Green
Clothes: jeans and a green day shirt
Etc.
There are usually no depth or substance to these characters and the remainder of the roleplay is played out in one-liners. Usually illiterates have no regards for capitalization or ooc or grammar or spelling or basic roleplaying rules.
Semi-literate: Usually have longer and more descriptive lists that really get into the character, sometimes a semi-literate might type out a paragraph or two about their character but it’s usually not very intriguing or well written information about their character. Grammar is more sharpened.
Literate: Longer introductions and posts that have depth and description and are more like writing than basic information. Literates create more relatable and in-depth characters that a reader is interested in reading about, not just interacting with. The writing is more developed and the grammar is intact.
Advanced: This is when someone writes a long, interesting, in-depth, creative introduction. The grammar is nearly perfect and the writing is well thought out and descriptive. The quality of the writing is just more developed.
There are different terms known to roleplayers, these are some of the more common ones:
BIC: back in character, or in character. When the writer is writing in his or her persona, and interacting with other characters.
OOC: out of character, when you are talking to other players as yourself not your character.
Mary / Gary Sue: perfect characters. These are generally not permitted because it’s boring and doesn’t make for an interesting roleplay. Flaws and personalities are what make a better roleplaying and Mary / Gary’s are more common in illiterate and semi literate roleplays.
Powerplay: controlling someone else’s character. This is not permitted—you are only allowed to control the actions of your own character
Godmode: creating unrealistic situations, or characters that can do anything. Example: a character that is a lightening fast super intelligent elf that can defeat anyone in combat.
Despie: an illiterate that is desperate for romance.
Slash: romantic relationships in a fanfictional roleplay between two already made characters that is not of norm. I.E. dracoxharry
MxM or FxF: homosexual relationship between two characters
MxF: heterosexual relationship between two characters
Prommie: A well known roleplayer that has earned the respect of the other roleplayers by their example of literacy.
N00b: Someone who is considered illiterate and generally new to Roleplaying without a mentor.
Newbie: Someone who is new to roleplaying, but is well on their way to becoming literate but still needs practice. They are often found in semi- literate roleplays.
RULES FOR STANDARD ROLEPLAYING
These change from forum to forum, depending on what the creator of the roleplay wishes to institute into his or her roleplay, but these are the standard rules.
1. Spell check—no one wants to read your typos, it puts them off. Typos are fine, of course, but make an effort to spell check your posts.
2. This is related but, no chatspeak in IC. Everyone hates it. You can’t read it. Please don’t do if the creator of the roleplay doesn’t want you too.
3. Post length—quality over quantity obviously, but you should describe your character at length so people get a feeling of who your character is. Not only current appearance but things like personality, history, flaws, the stuff that makes a human interesting.
4. Use proper grammar in IC—that means capitalization, quotation marks, etc.
5. Make your best effort to write intriguing and interesting posts—everyone gets better at writing and roleplaying and until then ask questions so you can learn.
6. Please be original, not only does it get boring to see the same characters over and over again, but there are so many overdone characters it is ridiculous.
OTHER POINTERS
1. Don't use '*', you should use formal writing to a certain extent while roleplaying.
2. Structure the sentences so they all flow together.
3. Do not use words repeatedly. For example: He got up and got dressed. He walked into the washroom. He picked up a brush and he brushed his teeth. He walked into his room once again. He pushed open his door. He left his house. See? it gets annoying.
4. Make sure you have more than just a sentence. A truely gifted roleplayer can stretch one sentence into at least three paragraphs.
5. Pay attention and read about what is going on around you. Try and effectively jump into situations where you would otherwise be left out of the general flow. Not that that is a bad thing alot of people enjoy just roleplaying on their own.
Common Spelling Mistakes:
Definitely has no 'A' In it. Grammar has two.
You're= You are. Your is the possessive form of you.
"Your comment Sucks, mine is better"
"You're a moron."
We're=We are. Were is a past subjunctive of be.
"I wish you were gone, We're sick of you."
Where= At or in place a place or location; Situation in which.
Whether: Used to introduce alternate possibilities.
"Whether you realize it or not, you're a cretin."
Weather= Refers to atmospheric conditions.
"Hows the weather down there?"
Loose: Not fastened or restrained.
Lose: To suffer a loss.
"You lose, I win."
They're=They are.
"They're right."
Their is used as a modifier before a noun. Their House.
If you really feel you need to say more, here are some tips [to lengthen your post]:
-Describe the scenery. Description of the surroundings can provide a hefty paragraph and is good filler material if you're strapped for something to say.
-Describe how your character is feeling and why. Are they morose for a particular reason? Are they happy for some reason? Elaborate on this and you may find you have to cut yourself short.
-More detail. Detail is key. If your character said something, describe their tone of voice, facial expression, or body language.
Post Style:
-Do not stretch the page with pictures and huge font.
Size 9 is fine, anything over size 12 should be illegal.
If you must have pictures in your post then resize them and for the love of all that is holy, do not post pictures all in your post to explain something.
If you cant write it out, then dont do it.
[As an added note, recolors of obviously known anime characters are really annoying. Like "Hey, that is clearly a Naruto with black hair."...seriously, dont do that.]
-Bright colors hurt the eyes of others. Try not to be obnoxious when choosing colors for your posts.
-Decorating posts make them more eye pleasing, but dont overdo it.
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