Hello, minna-san! Some of us thought that it's about time for a site-wide review contest, and we would LOVE for everyone to participate! Here’s how it works:
Just write the best stinking review you can and submit it! Yes, it’s pretty much that simple - we just want to see who is worthy of the title of MT‘s Shakespeare. But here are a few details just to help you out:
Anyone can compete, no prior review-writing experience necessary.
The review can cover any form of media allowed on the site: Games, TV series, OVAs, or manga.
Individual and collaborations alike are allowed, as long as both reviewers pull their weight in the collaboration. If you are collaborating, simply have one of the collaborators submit it under their name and at the beginning of the review mention the names of both collaborators and both reviewers will receive credit and, should they win, equal levels of prizes.
Each contestant can submit only one review for judging. If you want to write more than one, by all means do so, but you must pick your favorite for the competition. The only exception to this is for those who choose to write collaborations. If you collaborate, you are allowed a solo submission as well and both can be submitted for judging.
Remember to follow all MT review rules: No strong language, no spoilers, and no plagiarism.
In order to submit a review for the competition, please comment on this thread with a link to the review you would like to submit and make a note at the beginning of the review that it is for the contest.
Judging - All reviews will be judged based on the following:
Thoroughness - You don’t have to (and really shouldn’t) write a novel, but make sure you give each section the attention it deserves. Also, sections don’t have to be identical in length, but make sure you’re not writing an epic for the story section and two sentences for the sound section.
Style - Or, how interesting is your review? This includes humor, wit, language usage, and just about anything else about a writer’s style that separates them from a heartless computer. The review shouldn't come across as completely biased, but figure out how to be interesting while still being honest and fair.
Objectivity - No review is going to be completely without bias, but you certainly need to be fair without seeming like a complete fan girl or a troll. Look at the media from all angles, and not just your own personal taste. Going along with this, make sure your rating is appropriate given what you've written. Writing about several flaws only to give the show a perfect 10 doesn't look so good.
Balance - This goes hand in hand with the other categories. You need to be thorough, but not so long-winded that you lose readers’ interest. You need to be creative and unique, but not get so lost in your own thoughts that you forget your review is supposed to be helping the reader. You need to be objective, but not robot-like.
Help!
If you are having trouble or just want someone to look over your review, please feel free to contact pandemonium91 or
SolemnSerpent! They are here to help as advisers and will give you tips if you need them.
Prizes
After the deadline, the judges will look through the submissions and choose a first, second, and third place winner,
which we will then announce. If pride and glory aren't enough for you, winners will also be showered with prizes!
Prizes are as follows and will be made for winners by a wonderful staff member (you will be put in contact with them
when you win!):
1st place: Userpage/signature/icon pack, banner
2nd place: signature/icon combo, banner
3rd place: banner
Non-participants, you can have some say in the judging too! Leave thoughtful comments on participating reviews, and if you point out things that are good or bad about the review we’ll take your two cents into account when we, the judges, make our final decisions.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT: MAY 5th
If you are interested in competing, please comment on this thread so that we can have an idea of how many submissions to expect.
BUT WAIT, THAT'S NOT ALL!
If you don't think you'll be able to submit a review but still want to be involved in the contest, here's
your chance. In addition to the two or three staff member judges, we would like to extend the opportunity for 2 members
to be on board as judges as well. If you would like to be a judge, send a PM to SnickerdoodleNinja explaining in EXACTLY
20 words - no more, no less - why you should be a judge. The staff will then look over the submissions and the two
members with the most compelling arguments will be brought on board as judges with votes that weigh just as heavily as
the votes of the staff members. Once the decision is made, an announcement will be made showing all of the 20 word
submissions we received and the revealing of the two winners as well. The deadline for this mini-competition is APRIL
10th, so get started!
