The Five Point Scale: A new way to judge RPing skill

[Enfys]

If you want to discuss this topic PLEASE take it to the Literate/Semi-Literate/Illiterate VS. The Five Point Scale thread. That is the debate thread. Please don't post your opinions about this subject here.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Table of Contents

1. Introduction (You are here)
2. Explanation of the Five Point Scale
3. How To Get a FPS Rating
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lately I've been mulling over this a lot. What IS "semi-literate"? The dictionary defines it as:

–adjective
1. barely able to read and write.
2. capable of reading but not writing.
3. literate but poorly skilled or informed; lacking the proficiency of a literate person.

None of these, except perhaps definition #3, sound like what we describe as semi-literate, and even the generally-accepted definition of semi-lit on CS is frustratingly vague. I mean, sure, three sentences is what most people say, but I don't really like the idea that quantity is what makes you a good writer. See below:

Charles got up. He looked around. Then he walked up to Talon. "What are you doing?" he said.

Charles yawned widely and shook his burly body, the morning light that had woken him filtering into his den. He stretched and slipped out of his den, observing the slowly waking world around him. The big male spotted his comrade, Talon, and padded up to him with his usual relaxed gait. "What are you doing?" he questioned.

We'll refer to these two blokes as #1 and #2. Even though #1 has proper grammar and writes three sentences, #2 is obviously the better writer. It's immensely frustrating when someone such as #1 is in a Semi-Lit RP with people who can write like #2. Now, I'm not saying that #1 will never improve, and I have nothing against people who are still learning to write, but it's like training your body: throwing yourself into running marathons every day when you've been sitting on the couch for the last year isn't productive. In fact, it's harmful. You'll get worn out and discouraged. There's simply too much to take in if you're aiming to improve. You've gotta take baby steps.

[Enfys]

My solution to this problem: I think we should re-write the scale and make it more user-friendly. Role players get rated on a scale of 1 to 5:

1- Beginner. Has difficulty with proper grammar and has low vocabulary skills. Often uses textspeak. Posts are often difficult to understand to even a sympathetic reader and characters are often Mary- or Gary- Sue'ish. Often has "writer's block". Do not influence the plot with much skill.

charles woke up, he said hey what are u doing talon. he heard an evil wolf in the bushes and snarled at ti freaking out

2- Intermediate-Low. Still has trouble with grammar and vocabulary, but has dropped textspeak. Posts are sometimes difficult to understand. Characters are more developed and flaws are now occasionally incorporated into their personality. Writer's block occurs occasionally. Influences the plot, but not always productively.

Charles woke up yawning. he walked out of his den. He walked up to talon and asked, "what are you doing? He heard a wolf in the bushes. He turned around and snarled at it. "Who are u?"

3- Intermediate. Grammar is mostly proper with only one or two mistakes every post. Vocabulary is average. Has begun to use personification, metaphors, similes, etc. Posts are almost never hard to understand. Characters always have at least one flaw, but they still don't seem quite as natural as they could be. Is capable of influencing the plot and creating interesting situations.

Charles woke up with a huge yawn. He stretched and walked out of his den and up to Talon. "Hey Talon. What are you doing?" He flicked one of his ears back at the sound of something moving through the growth behind him and turned around, snarling. "You there! Who are you?"

4- Intermediate-High. Grammar is almost never improper. Vocabulary is improving and they are good at using personifications, metaphors, similes, ect. Posts are never hard to understand. Characters are believable. Is skilled at manipulating the plot in a way that isn't mini-plotting and comes up with creative issues. Is not afraid of being the "bad guy".

With his maw stretched into a yawn, Charles awoke. He shook himself and squeezed out of the den, his big frame dwarfing the rest of the camp. With a smile he padded up to Talon. "What are you--" he whipped around and snarled angrily, sensing an intruder in the undergrowth behind him. "Who are you? Show yourself!"

5- Experienced. It's very rare that they make a grammatical mistake. They have fantastic vocabulary and are great at using personification, metaphor, simile, ect. Posts are never hard to understand. Characters are very real. They're quite good at manipulating the plot and comes up with creative issues. Enjoys being the "bad guy" or the "good guy" and can do both with skill.

Groggily, Charles opened his eyes. Light filtered through the entrance, poking through the foggy blanket of sleep. He yawned widely and snapped his jaws shut as he squeezed his bulky frame through the entrance of the den, seeming to dwarf the rest of the camp. He spotted Talon standing at the edge of camp and padded up to him lazily. "What are you--" a rustling in the bushes evaporated the remnants of sleep and he twirled around with a snarl, facing the intruder. "Show yourself!"

Although I do shy away from the terms "Literate/Illiterate", I think that this scale fits well into the Literacy scale.

1-2=Illiterate
2-3-4=Semi-Literate
4-5=Literate

[Enfys]

1. Fill out the form below.
2. PM it to me, Enfys, so I can evaluate it.
3. *I'll reply and send you a stamp with your literacy rating.


Please delete everything in *s
Username: This will be hidden from people who evaluate your form besides me.
Character Sheet: Please link this to a character that you use often or one of your favorites
Recent Posts: Link this to your five most recent posts in a RP. (Don't skip ones or choose other favorite posts, put them in order.)
Favorite Post: Link this to your one of your favorite posts.
If you're confused, watch this video. It should clear things up.

Code: Select all

*Username*
[url=*Character Sheet Link*]Character Sheet[/url]
[url=*Post 1 Link*]Recent Post 1[/url]
[url=*Post 2 Link*]Recent Post 2[/url]
[url=*Post 3 Link*]Recent Post 3[/url]
[url=*Post 4 Link*]Recent Post 4[/url]
[url=*Post 5 Link*]Recent Post 5[/url]
[url=*Favorite Post Link*]Favorite Post[/url]

Would you like to help evaluate these forms? I'd love your help!
REQUIREMENTS
1. Must have a 4+ rating on the FPS
2. Must have been on CS for more than 2 weeks

Code: Select all

[b]Username:[/b]
[b]FPS Rating:[/b]

Just send it to me!

*This is all objective. If you aren't pleased with your rating, I sincerely apologize.

[Enfys]

Reserved

[Enfys]

Bump.

[pretty.visitors]

Are you still going to be doing this? I thought it was a neat idea.:3

[Enfys]

Yep, I am. Thanks

[Stormish]

Bookmarkin'. This is pretty neat idea. x3

[Rolly-chan]

Just a question... I haven't role-played for a long while and I haven't role-played on CS at all (my role-plays would have been in German anyway). Would there still be a way to rate me somehow? I'd really like a rating, just in case I'll be joining an RP someday. I have been thinking about that for a while now.

[seifuku]

Interesting...
I'm not a big RPer on CS, but I am in other places, and I'm interested in helping here. If I send you quips of my roleplays from other places, will you accept those?