[HellfireMS]

First off, let me tell everyone here that I generally do not take sides as I read many of the posts on these and other forums. I read a lot of posts, consider the facts I am aware of, and then create my own opinion. So, as you read my little guide, understand that it is not my intention to create a flame-war or take sides. I simply see too many posts that are not helpful, and I think anyone taking time out of their day to contribute here has the original intent of being helpful.

(IF YOU ARE NOT A FAN OF READING A LOT, YOU CAN SKIP TO THE BOTTOM FOR A "DIRTY" VERSION OF THIS GUIDE)

PLANNING
1.) Before typing, try to envision the point(s) you want to make to your reader.
2.) Plan an A-to-B course for how you (and your reader) will arrive at your point(s).

EXECUTION
1.) Follow your plan. Try not to deviate too much. (readers may lose interest)
2.) Being passionate is okay, but beware of sounding crass or crude. (This could lead to your credibility and intentions being questioned.)
3.) Make your statement and/or express your opinion.
4.) Support your statement and/or opinion with empirical fact(s). (EMPIRICAL - capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment)
5.) Avoid name-calling ("You're an idiot..."), generalization ("This sucks..."), and remain civil.
6.) Summarize your post and include your expectations.

REVIEW
1.) Re-read your entire post.
2.) Look for typos that may make your post difficult to understand. (While spelling and grammar are important, comprehension is the purpose, not perfection.)
3.) Review your post through the eyes of your audience. (Does everything makes sense? Did you make the same point of your original intent?)
4.) Make revisions if neccessary and review your post again.

TIPS & HINTS
1.) If your intent is to ilicit a negative reaction, is your post truly helpful and constructive?
2.) Remain open-minded to the comments, suggestions, and criticisms others may make. (You may just have an "Ah-ha" moment or find yourself saying "I did not know that...")
3.) No one has to be "right" or "wrong".
4.) Ensure you are posting in the correct forum. (Your post has a higher probability of reaching your target audience.)

"DIRTY VERSION"
Make a statement, back it up with some fact that supports it, and always remain civil and courteous.


Please feel free to make CONSTRUCTIVE comments and suggestions. I will then revise this based on them (with the proper reference of course). Who knows, then maybe it might get stickied and help a larger player base.

Good luck to you all! If you should see me wandering through Hyboria, feel free to say hi. Best wishes...

[XeeThot]

I endorse the closing and sticky-ing of this thread.

[Rinlahn]

This should be required reading on every forum.

[Korimus]

you should add "Don't make threats" to the execution. I hate it when people say they are going to/have canceled their sub. I may be mad about casting concentration, but I'm not quitting because of it.

[Sintax]

Thank you for posting this but I fear it may fall on deaf ears.

Regardless, everyone should read this guide.

On my guild forums (500 active members) we have a post very similar to this that's stickied. Everyone is STRONGLY encouraged to adhere to this frame work.

One other thing to add before writing a post, take into account your mental state. If you're extremely irate it's probably not the best time to post anything. Walk away from the keyboard and take a breath, go for a walk, watch some porn, do something that relaxes you.. and then come back to the keyboard, reframe your thoughts and start the post some time later after you've cooled down.

Communicating in a non-"emotion mind" almost always yields better results.

/salute to the OP.

[HellfireMS]

Thanks for the encouragement. Hopefully, others may see this. And thanks for the thoughts and suggestions!

[xpiher]

Sticky?
/10char

[Protus-AoC]

Originally Posted by Rinlahn This should be required reading on every forum.

then stick it.

[Hephedra]

oh pleasepleasepleasepeaselpleaplseaplsaeplsaplsaplpl plpaeplspaepleeaaase sticky?

[Famine]

Sure, lets sticky this! Sorry for the delay here, I took some time last week to get married.