Last page update was: 4/23/07 at 5:36:43 PM Eastern Standard TimeThe first thing I want to show is the grading scale.
The grading scale is a little like this, see? Because this is a great guideline for both testers and judges to look at, here's Lenair's rubric for Star Tests. Please note, though, that we're going to grade out of ten, and NOT eight
Lenair's Star Test Rubric
Star Testing Score RequirementsSimply because we love to torture you. ^_^
AN: This is a basic rubric, showing all judges and Star Test participants what is allowable for each number grade. In the case of slight indecisiveness or for other reasons, '.5' (added only) will be permitted for use in grading. Such could simply mean that you just hadn't reached the next level, but you're better in level than the former number. Also, if you don't receive a score at all, in most cases, you signed up for the test and you never posted your entry fight. As long as you actually fight, then you're able to get a 1 or higher. So, as I figure that most of these starting points a now squared away, let's get started now.
P.S. This will be going in decreasing order, from 8 to 1.
8: Wow, are you a literary genius? Your post is very well paced, and even if at a long length, it holds the reader's interest. Sentence length is variable, which is a good grammatical tool. Pretty much, there are VERY little grammatical errors, if any. There is progression, which is needed to mark a character's advancement throughout the fight. The detail and description of the opponent(s), environment, character, possible arrival, actions, etc. are properly utilized and applied. Also, there is a great deal of insight into how the character is feeling with each decision and movement. Basically, the reader is able to know what the character is thinking and expressing. Even if the character acts without much reason or thought, express that in your post. Also, personality for the character in general is maintained. All in all, the post is comprehendible and legible.
7: Your post is very well typed, and it makes sense. It is pretty well paced, but lacks somewhat, maybe in length or holding interest. Sentence length is partially varied, but still good. There may be some grammatical errors, more noticeable though in this case. There is progression, and probably no errors when presenting the character's advancement. The essence or basic personality of the character is retained and easily sensed by reading the post. Description and detail remain key, though there may be some lacking in certain area, whether it be with the character, opponent(s), or attacks (anything really). There may be a slight lack of insight into the character, but as stated before, this is an understandable post, and it is above average.
6: This post is considerably decent, though there is more apparent lacking. The post itself still makes sense, though there may be some more detectable errors, but only some. There may not be much variability with sentences at all, but the sentences are still nicely typed. There are some weaknesses in progression and character development during the fight, but it is still good. It is somewhat hard to detect the character's personality, feelings, or emotions for that part. And there is more apparent lacking in description and detail, whether length is to blame or not. In most cases, there is a lack in length and pacing, but it is still acceptable for this number grade. All in all, there are more grammatical errors seen, but it is still an understandable post.
5: This is a borderline point, where the decency of the post is lacking more. It is more so harder to tell what the character is feeling, and the personality of the character is slipping. There are more apparent grammatical errors, whether dealing with sentence structure or spelling. There are still some good sentences in this post, though there is an extreme lack in variety, if any are variable at all. The post may appear somewhat rushed with the lack of description and detail; there is more neglect of the environment and opponent(s) (maybe the character as well). The post is deprived of proper advancement in the fight, and especially for the character. Still, this post is somewhat legible and understandable. Grade wise, this is average.
4: This is also a borderline point. But lower than 5. So at this point, this and every number below it are below average. This post is more noticeably deprived of description, detail, and duly (proper) advancement of the character in this battle. Maybe the reader can know the character's lesser emotions, but nothing past that. There is not much left for expression and there are more grammatical errors than needed. Unfinished sentences, misspellings, etc. There is not enough pacing and the length is considerably short. The entry needs work, and most of all, the attacks need to be somewhat believable. No "Ryu chokes the dragon and its head pops off", there needs to be a struggle, progression, etc.
3: The post is really short in this case, as are all other posts that are given grades lower than this. It is not likely, but maybe some of the character's personality can be detected. The fighting lacks in coordination and description altogether. There is a heavy lack in description and detail, for everything in general (most importantly the character). This is somewhat harder to understand. There is an excessive amount of grammatical errors, and this post is somewhat nonsensical. There could be some possible pacing with the post, though it is likely due to the shortness of it. The reader's interest is probably not best kept with this, so thus, this is somewhat low in score.
2: This could be almost as poor as a 1, seeing how there is more deprivation of the needed essentials. A lot of grammatical errors are expected from this one. This post is preferably harder to understand, if at all. The character is obviously alive, but there is barely anything having to do with he/she's feelings, emotions, thoughts, etc. There is little description and detail, and there is probably little to no pacing entirely. The character MAY have a personality, but it is heard to read up on in this post. There is high neglect of the environment, and this post is really nonsensical. The length is really concise, and not in a good way. All in all, this is a low grade.
1: Ok, did you simply want to gain a star without even trying? A spell-checker could come in handy, and you're able to use it. There is a complete lack of literacy in this post, it is very hard to understand, if at all. Description and detail are scant, period. In most cases, this will not reach much in length at all, so there is probably not a bit of progression or advancement seen in this post. Is the character even alive? There isn't much of a personality in that case. Where is the expression and feeling, the reader needs to be able to know how the character reacts, both physically and mentally. The actions aren't described that well if given any description at all. Altogether, this is the lowest score possible for a given post.
AN: A final note is that even if you don't win in the battle, you still get graded upon these requirements. You can still earn an 8, you just need to follow the requirements in lieu of vanquishing your opponent(s). Also, the room itself is metallic and spherically shaped. But you can spice up the description, almost as though it can change in appearance when you're inside. All in all, it's up to you. Add in your own creativity. Also, don't be afraid to use a spell-checker of some sort, whether it be from Microsoft Word or whatnot.
Aaaaall-righty, now. Basically, that means that you're getting graded on:
Grammar/Puncuation: Meaning run-on sentences, proper apostrophe usage, period and comma input, capitalized words... yeah, all that good junk.
Spelling: Le omg! It's the end of the world, you spelled something wrong! No it's not. If you're unsure, it doesn't help to check dictionary.com or just to put it in Microsoft Word and see what the dictionary comes up with. Checking your post for spelling mistakes will save you a biggie on this one. But don't over-scrutinize and kill yourself over 'AHH! I MISSPELLED THIS WORD! AHH! WHAT IF I DID SOMETHING ELSE WRONG!?' It's okay! @_@; Everyone makes mistakes, and that's sure to be counted in as well.
Creativity/Description: The definately most important part of your posts! How much description is in it can affect how smoothly, or also how bumpy your test may be. If you go on and on about something, you might lose track of what you were writing about, or the reader will get confused. So remember, kids; Description is all well and nice, but too much and everyone gets all caddy-wompus and confused. @_@; Also, creativity works wonders. Your character knows magic? Describe the sparklies, or their movements to make the spells happen! Little stuff that helps bring the mental image to life and gives background is always a good thing! x3
Length: Ho, boy. This is definately some of the worst parts for your post. You keep freaking that it might not be long enough, when it's only five pages long with size twelve font in Microsoft Word. Trust me; that's enough! ^^; The length is always a wonderful thing to ponder over, but don't let it get to you. But all entries MUST be over at least 350 characters, including spaces!. I know. Such a bear, no? But this is the Star Tests! They should be a little longer than your average post, I would say. But that's just Kai for ya. >.>;;
For now, you can sign up as a judge though. All members of the Mirandal Crew are automatically judging unless they are unable to, but there can be up to five others.
1. Celestial Lullaby
2.
3.
4.
5.
The Arenas:
Classic: A flat field with no obstacle, a quite smooth hard surface. It's easy to get a grip on this floor but very hard to hide in an arena such as this. There are 4 marble podiums at each corner of the room. Each one has a statue of of a warrior on it. Tall and mighty. Breakable. XD
Grasslands: A large grassy scenerio is used here. Here everything is highly flammable. No trees, just tall rich green grass. Drama, drama..
Jungle: A large Jungle scenerio with plenty of places to hide and duck about. Beware of some randomn marshes here. (yeah the Arena is HUGE) Everything is quite flammable too here, but not as much due to the plantlife type.
Factory ( Fire ): The factory is a completely steel arena with firey machines that constantly hiss and give off some flames from the top. In the center there is a huge furnace type machinery that is quite dangerous to be around. O_o;; This makes it so that battles aren't only limited to the ground. People can leap onto steel platforms and take their battles airborne. ^^
The Frozen Tundra ( Ice ): A completely frozen battlefield with plenty of various frozen obstacles. There is a large ice creating machine frozen underneathe the battlefield, leaving fire manipulators to reap the cold effects even if they try to melt the Tundra. Traction on this type of battlefield is almost impossible.
Lost Desert: A giant Sandy battlefield made with its own weather effect of sandstorms. Made to obscure fighters vision and add to the diffuculty of moving around. The sand gives you a lil too much traction that is hard to start moving quickly and such.
Sea of Hope: A complete water field with a only two islands. There are multicolored coral formations sparsely spread across the wide-reaching area, which would make nice if you needed to hide. Well, other than the fact it's under a bunch of salt water if you were thinking about opening your eyes... X_X Ouch.
Abyss: A complete Dark Aura battlefield. No obstacles but there is a hazy purple mist that lingers around the field. Mainly those who use dark magic can summon up powerful spells here.
Alchemist Paradise ( Junkyard ): A giant Junkyard with many objects Alchemists can use to transfer them into weapons or anything their heart desire. ^^; Plenty of hiding spaces here. There are a few converyor belts about here that are working. O_o
Pearly Gates: The Pearly Gates is just the Abyss but vice versa. It has a huge Spirit energy floating about for magic and Light users to use to summon their spells. Very cloudy like here. ^^
Sphere of Illusion: Literally, this is a large rotating ball of metal with a platform stretching out in the middle. Still could give you a bit of vertigo and dizziness if you watch it spin during the battle though. o_O; Of course, that is if you're still able to see it. During the battle, the sphere's surface will be manipulated by what is going on inside the combantants minds. It could be memories playing out like a movie, the formation of a background battlefield, music... Anything could happen! Dun dun dunn...
That's it for now, Mirandal! But you can expect that there'll be more, soon!
