After I read through a thread on accepting members, I started thinking. What's the difference between ripping apart an application and simply pointing out what won't work? What makes you think that an admin has gone too far?

On the site I admin on we have a graphic that says "Be Kind Rewind: Just a few things..." and then beneath it, whoever is reviewing the application writes a response about things that either didn't make sense or items that they'd like to see elaborated on.

From the thread I originally read in this section, some people are divided. A few members said that posting critiques out in the open for other members to see was rude, but others said they favored detailed, personalized messages because they thought it showed that an admin had really read through their application in order to catch that kind of stuff.

Personally, I'm the kind of person that wants to hear about spelling mistakes or word mixups in my applications. But what's your stance as a staff member on what to include in a "Be Kind Rewind" application? Is grammar and spelling too insignificant, or do you go after every detail? Also, if you were the writer of a "Be Kind Rewind" application, what would you hope to see from an admin as a response?

Just curious. :)

As far as grammar and spelling is concerned, I might suggest re-reading it/running it through a checker to catch errors, but otherwise, I think the content of an applciation is a lot more important. I've done both the response with things to be fixed, and the PM with things to be fixed, and while I've never actually been asked to fix anything myself - and so don't know which I prefer from a member standpoint - from an administrative standpoint, I definitely prefer the latter.

As someone who likes writing and reading, I like a thorough review. If there are things in my writing someone thinks could improve, mention it. If I have spelling/grammar mistakes, mention it. If something is reading wrong, or it seems like something isn't right, mention it. I like to make sure my application is as close to flawless as it can get, and I know its very rare for me to get it right the first time. That is why I like simpler applications; it is easier to review, but if something catches the admin's attention, they can still let me know.

Personally, I never comment on spelling and grammar unless the application is hard (or impossible) to read. I do, however, prefer to give a thorough evaluation of the actual content, though I like to think that I'm nice about it. Usually, what gets commented on is a lack of flaws and things that are implausible. I try very hard to make constructive criticism, and if I submit an application for evaluation, I expect to get the same treatment in return.

It's important to me as a member that I know that my character will fit with the rest of the board, and important for me as a prospective member that I can see how admins like to read things on other apps. I really DO like to know what works and what doesn't, and I like allowing other members to comment on things in progress so that the new characters will automagically have a place to go RP when they're approved.

I've applied to boards that have accepted or declined my characters with no word whatsoever. I've applied to boards that have pointed out things that won't work or errors in grammar/spelling. If I had to pick between no corrections policy at all and having a corrections policy, I'd definitely pick having a policy in place. From my experience, most of the people roleplaying on message boards do it because they love to write and also love whatever world/genre they're playing in. Because of that, I think a Be Kind Rewind policy is great. I definitely love the feeling that an admin/application reviewer has really taken the time to look at my character. My take on it is this: I'm not going to sit down and spend several hours fleshing out a character application on a game I don't want to play in...so if there's something I can do differently, I'd definitely like to know about it. If I've gone through all the effort, I want to make the best character I can for that board and that story. I do, however, think the harsher stuff should be between the reviewer and the review-ee. I don't see much point in tearing someone's application to shreds for everyone on the board to see. Or in C-box, either (as I've seen that happen, too). Small corrections or helpful critiques from forum members are one thing, but if someone's just going to be vicious, I think it's better to do that through a PM.


So, basically, I'm for a Be Kind Rewind policy, especially if it includes sending a harsher critique if it's necessary via PM.

I try very hard to be gentle with members who are applying for characters, especially if it is their first time applying on the forum. I tend to use a lot of humor (like just recently I -said- I was going to say lots of mean things about their application.. of course I never did^^)

I try not to be too nit-picky about grammar and spelling, or at least I'm trying to move away from being that way. If there are only one or two spelling mistakes, I'll point them out, if there are a lot, I'll suggest a proof reading session.

Other than that, I point out things that are confusing, or things I would like see elaborated, so I can get a better sense of the character. And I might point out some worries I have about the characters ability to fit into the roleplay (like getting threads with reclusive characters... tends to be hard, yeah?).

But I try to be very, very gentle. Because I know I myself can be a bit sensitive about those sorts of things. And I try to always point at least one things out that really impressed me, or made me laugh in the application.

As for being the applicant... I don't have a personal preference. So long as the admin isn't rude, snide, etc. I'll be ok.

I forgot! I also do all application talk on the forum. Not through PMs and not over IMs. This way members and guests and stuff can see how admins on the forum handle applications, and because it's public, the applying member has less recourse to say untrue things about out actions. It's good for keeping an eye on how other staff members are treating applying members as well.

Honestly, I would never have a problem with my application being publicly critiqued. That's how we do it at Meliora. I'd just send the members my responses in PMs, but having them in the thread containing their sheet makes the critiques easily accessable when they're editting their application (no additional windows. The critique's on the same page.). Also, having the responses public allows incoming members to see what the admins are looking for when they review an application. It points out common mistakes and what we find important. If someone was really self concious and asked if I could send my responses privately, I certainly would. However, that's not how I usually do things.

Of course, I don't publicly BASH applications no matter how much they may make me want to rip my hair out and stab my eyes with forks. I've seen some that really irritate me, but I've never been an unreasonable or cruel person. We all started out as inexperienced writers, and most of us have created an unrealstic character and used grammar that would make an experienced writer cry at some point. I am always as friendly and polite as I can be. My comments are never obviously harsh or insulting. They're always delivered in a constructive way, and that's how they are always intended.

I usually mention both details regarding mandatory alterations and suggestions that I think are helpful. Some things just have to be changed in order for a character to fit into the game and be acceptable by Meliora's standards. Other things are just details that I think should be changed because I think they'll make a character better. My main goal is to help members create characters that they can play in the game. Aside from that, I really try to help members create the best characters they can possibly create. I do this because I know that I would appreciate an admin putting in that effort for me. I consider detailed responses to character sheets a positive thing.

As for things like grammar and spelling (just as an example of really nit-picky stuff), I try not to be too picky. If I notice that a sheet is difficult to read and features a noticeably large amount of errors in either grammar or spelling, I will recommend that a member review their sheet again or toss it into a word processor. Although I think it's obvious, I'll always state my reasoning behind it. The fact is that character sheets are often used as a reference tool. It's beneficial for both the player of the character and others that may like to participate in a thread with that character if the sheet is as clear and concise as possible. Organization and flow really are important. Will I be pointing out every missing comma or minor misspelling? No, but I'm not going to ignore it when a sheet could use some significant improvement in the grammar/spelling department.

I find that i generally don't worry to much about Spelling/ Grammar, as long as i can read it, and the mistakes as far as spelling etc go are not to massively major. I tend to let it go.

though i usually as a player and an admin like to give/receive critique and advice on my bio's content wise. If i need to add or remove something i like to know about it.

I find a good bio needs to cover all the bases, and not just be a list of one liners. It has to be an entertaining read, but also an informative one, so i try and make sure that all applicants to my sites avoid the one liners, unless the section calls for it (eg. Name:)

Though on the same hand, i hate to have to submit my bio's 4 or 5 times to be accepted, if a person has genuinely tried hard to improve their bio, haveing to re-submit too many times can get a bit annoying.

anyways, that's my two cents.

Seeing as English is not my first language you won't see me catching much grammar mistakes. However if I find an overload of spelling mistakes, and obvious grammar mistakes (that I even can notice XD) I will ask them to re-read the profile and fix any grammar/spelling mistakes.

Nowadays after an application gets approved I remove all the replies as well. There's no need to hang any dirty wash outside after it's approved lol. In the process of asking changes, edits etc I always see how much has to be changed/editted, if there's a lot, I mostly decide to pm them instead of posting up a whole list in their application. As I find this more personal, and I can explain better to that member 'why' we need those changes (mostly it's because the character otherwise doesn't fit in the RPG or the character is just 'over-the-top').

If I only ask for a few minor changes or things that don't fit with the RPG I mostly leave a reply. However I also try to notice the good things in a profile, and comment on them, so that the members will know that i'm not only noticing the 'bad things' in their profile.

I try to be gentle when reviewing apps, even when they make me grit my teeth and headdesk several times. I've never mocked or called an apper stupid (even when it's plainly the case). Usually, I'll start with whatever's right with the app or at least say something like 'you have a good idea with thus-and-so.' Then comes the dreaded BUT.

How much I critique grammar/spelling/punctuation varies from app to app. If it's a well-written app with only a small mistake or two, I'll suggest the apper fix them. If there are major and/or multiple writing problems, then it depends if the player is very young, English is a second language, and/or there's some other problem like dyslexia. If that's the case, I'll just suggest a run through a spell-checker. If that's not the case and the person is just too lazy-ass to master his/her native tongue of English, then I lower the boom.

If there are other problems with the app, I go through them one at a time, explaining them as necessary, but not cruelly.

If something was unrealistic about my character, I'd LOVE to be told so, so I could fix it. It's always possible I didn't catch something while making my character, of course. And I'll take opportunities presented to me to make things better.

This is why I also give critiques when I review profiles, because that'd be what I'd want done for me. I do them in the application, and don't 'tear people down' or speak harshly, just flatly tell them what could be improved on. If someone's character's history or personality needs work somewhere, I'll say why and try to give a tip or two on how it could be improved. If I see something that seems totally out of place (like, say, someone mentions a name somewhere, but doesn't explain who that person was), I'll point it out and ask about it. If there are a couple of minor typos I'll probably ignore them, but if there a lot of them I'll mention that I'd like them to do a proofread and use a spell-check in the future.

I don't try to be mean, but I also don't go out of my way to be flowery-nice. I just say what's wrong in a neutral way, and that's worked for me. As long as someone's not using rude language and talking down to anyone, then all's good in my book.

Usually I'm not big on making sure spelling and grammar unless it's so bad that you have to queston if the RPer even knows what English is. Understood, people have learned English as a second or ever third language. I'm talking about people who obviously learned English as a first language and they just don't care. Them I have to question sometimes.

As far as the rrest of the app, I just read through basic things and make sure it's believable. As long as they make the requirements and it's believable and I approve it. I'm not really big about ripping the application apart to pieces. And I'm usually pretty good about not being embarassing. If there's more wrong than is reasonable to tell them (more than 3 or 4 things) I'll simply post a message in the app asking them to please check their inbox and I'll tell them there what was wrong so they're not publicly embarassed.

I honestly don't think it's far when someone says something like, "The admin is too strict" or something like that. But sometimes an admin does go to far and just points out every little thing that is wrong. And that's a bit annoying.

So, I would say the person accepting/reviewing should point out things that don't make sense but then add sort of a general thing like, "Watch your spelling." "Be careful with grammer." So the person knows to go back and look without having all there mistakes shoved into their face.

I try not to lose sight of the fact that this is all a game and it isn't serious business. Sure, we don't want a bunch of n00bs running around, but digging into applications seems a little harsh to me.

Inconsistencies, places that are unclear, and the like I will point out, but for the most part, I let it be. If there's something glaringly obvious, I'll talk to the member, but really I'm pretty relaxed.

I've had my application ripped into and I've had my application torn apart. Really, it's a turn-off for me. Now some of you may be thinking that whatever, I'm just another member, and that's true; I am just person #58978478132 out there. However, picking apart my application because my character's eyes are blue and--gasp!--we've gone over the blue eye quota for the week is a little lame. OR when a character is denied because he has straight teeth and glistening hair--something that is obviously too Mary Sueish.

But most importantly, no matter what method you choose to accept and reject applications, remember this: There is a real, live person behind that character. Though you cannot see the person with whom you speak and though you cannot actually talk them, it doesn't give you the right to completely rip them apart and leave their character's scattered remains lying about. No matter how elite you want your board to be, you're not going to achieve it by decimating other people's pride and sense of self worth.

Thus, if you plan on digging into applications in detail and picking out every little seemingly out of place detail, I suggest you leave the approved applications open and in-tact so every potential member can see how you handle the application process.

(PS: I use the "collective you." It wasn't a direct attack. :lol:)

I generally think it's best to just say that it's rejected, but offer the opportunity of a detailed explanation should the applier want one. That way they're... sort of prepared?

I usually don't point out spelling mistakes, with th exception of really bad ones. However I always point out errors in the application itslef that doesn't fit with the site cannon...or simply doesn't work out at all. I have been yelled at by some less-than-polite members. Though generally this yelling only comes from the poster of something totally and entirely insane.