How To Format A Post

## Signs, Symbols and Layout

At Outpost Eden, we use a few different symbols to help to identify what a character is doing. We also lay out our email subject lines a certain way so that it's as easy as possible for players to see what's going on at a glance!

**Email Subject Line**

It may sound obvious, but this helps to identify which characters have moved. It's not always easy to remember which writer owns which character! Here's how it works:-

[Your Character's Rank + Name], "[Custom Title]"

e.g. **Admiral Herrera, "30 Seconds to Launch"**

**Formatting Your Post**

The symbols used for text are as follows:-

**Location Tag**

The first thing that appears in the body of your post should be a location tag, so it's easy to see where it takes place. If you change locations during the course of your post, drop in a new location tag. Location tags should be in brackets so they're not confused for anything else:-

(Location)

e.g. **(USS Odyssey, Main Engineering)**

**Speech**

There's no need for quotation marks in speech - we use a script format, which makes it easier to leave tags for others. Just introduce the speech with your character's surname/family name, followed by a colon.

**[Character Name]: Insert speech here**

e.g. **Herrera: Anything on sensors?**

There are a couple of variations on speech that do need you to use symbols to show that there's something a little different about how your character is communicating. These are thoughts, speaking over the comm, and speaking telepathically (if your character is a telepath).

Thoughts are laid out in the same way as normal speech, except that the text should begin and end with a lower case 'o', like this:-**​Herrera: o When's lunch? o**

Using the Comm
Speech that's being broadcast over the comm should begin and end with '^'  to make it stand out from normal speech, like this:-​**Herrera: ^ Ready to beam up! ^**

Telepathy
If your character is able to communicate telepathically, you'll need to indicate when that's happening so that other characters know they can't hear you! Use '~':-**Y-rocck: ~ Open your mind to me! ~**

**Narrative: Actions, Descriptions and Rationale**
Anything that's not speech should begin and end with a colon. This helps distinguish what's being said out loud and what isn't! (It may not always be obvious!)

**[Insert narrative text here]**:
e.g. :It was colder than anticipated outside the shuttle. Diego pulled his coat around him more tightly to shield himself against the icy wind.:

This also applies to 'stage directions' - single words to indicate how something is being said, or short actions that a character is taking. This can be dropped into speech.

**Example 1:** Herrera: :Unconvinced: You're going to have to do better than that, Ensign.

**Example 2:** Herrera: We need to move on. :Pointing towards the tallest mountain on the skyline: We need to reach that peak before sundown.
To let us know your post is done, finish up with a signature. You've already told us who you are in your subject line, but a reminder never hurts, and it's a useful way for new members to learn which character is in which role. Your signature uses this format:

**Character Name and Rank**
Position
Ship/Outpost

e.g.

**Lieutenant Kellan**
Engineering Officer
​Outpost Eden

All Done!

Now that you've followed our guide on how to compile, write and format a post, you're ready to send it to your group! Remember - make sure it's part of a new email instead of replying to an old one so it's nice and easy for everyone to find!

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This tutorial was written by Diego Herrera. If you have any questions, feel free to
Contact us