[snow]

I'm going to be blunt. Was there any executive discussion regarding Rikka getting leader of Writers? I feel like there really wasn't much thought given into who was chosen as leader. Now, I want to say upfront that this is not an attack on Rikka, I don't know who they are, and I don't really care to find out who they are. But, from a glance I can tell they aren't fit to run the Writers group. Let us start with the recruitment thread, because that is truly our first glance at Writers, and its leader. 

At writers we do Interviews, Headlines, World News, Forum News & General Forum News.

First issue is that the groups name isn't capitalized. It is a name, and should be capitalized. Second issue, the topics being covered are capitalized. Are they somehow more important than the name? Third issue, it's a large list of things, and yet there is no colon to really transition into it. Fourth issue, forum news was mentioned twice. I don't think that much happens on Sirius that requires two separate sections of forum news. Last issue is the misuse of the ampersand.

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Now lets zoom out, and look at the entire bit that the above quote is taken from.

At writers we do Interviews, Headlines, World News, Forum News & General Forum News.

We will write about a lot more!
We will bring weekly news to the users by making a unique & professional news thread.

I think this entire group description needs to be completely rewritten. First off you tell us what you're going to write, and then shortly follow up that you'll also be writing a lot more. Secondly I find it hard to believe you're going to bring me a unique and professional news thread when the recruitment thread isn't professional. I suppose it is unique, I've never seen graphics so badly in need of anti-aliasing. 

Perhaps this would be a more effective group description.

Code:

Here at Writers our goal is deliver unique and professional news on a weekly basis. News that is written by the members, for the members. We'll be covering a wide range of topics such as: member interviews, headlines, world news, and forum news.

The above effectively states the groups goal, and makes it personable with the members of the forum. It also effectively states what will be covered weekly, while keeping it open ended so that adjustments can be made. 

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Next atrocity that I saw would be the following tidbit. 

copy & paste this code below & use it in the reply box... & please, be serious with your application.

This is the sentence in its whole glory. I think the first issue everyone should notice is the lack of Capitalization on the beginning word. After that it would probably be the misuse of the ampersand, which has plagued the entire thread mind you. Next would be the misuse of ellipses, because those really function well in that sentence. 
You might want to try going with the following. 

Code:

At Writers we're looking for serious applicants only. If you're willing to take your role in the group seriously, please copy, paste and fill out the below form. Thank you.

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Lets look at that application format now.

Name:

Age:

What are you applying for?

How many hours weekly can you spend on Sirius Forum?

How mature are you from a scale from 1-10?

Why do you want to join writers?

Extra Info about you:

First thing I notice is that there is zero questions regarding the persons writing ability. There isn't even a question regarding the persons primary language. This is your average cookie cutter application format, and it isn't effective at all for determining if someone is fit to be a writer. Something else that I noticed is that the colon isn't consistent. If you're not consistent in your application format, why should I believe you'll be consistent with the news?

Here are some questions I'd recommend adding.

Code:

Have you participated in writing news before? Yes/No What is your level of writing? High School/College/College Degree/Hobby/etc What is your primary language? English/Spanish/German/etc Are you bilingual? Yes/No How would you rate your grammar and why? 1-10, and reason why

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I know no one is perfect. Shit I'm not perfect, and I don't plan to be either. It's human nature to make mistakes, however when you're making a recruitment thread they're typically meant to professionally represent the group. The leader as well should professionally represent the group, yet Rikka fails at that. A quick look into post history and Rikka makes several mistakes all the time in their sentences. Failing to capitalize "I", grammatical errors, and the list goes on. I understand the forum is a place to go and relax, but I think the leader of the group Writers should at least show decent grammar skills. Now Rikka, I sincerely hope you don't take this as an attack on you. I hope you read this thread, and see it as constructive criticism. Feel free to take my suggestions and run a mile with them. I want to see Writers, and yourself succeed. I wish you the best of luck.

[Viomi_mybb_import13610]

Thank you for bringing up these concerns.
I, personally, wasn't included in this decision at all (though of course, I am just a sectional, so).

@2 should probably answer this.

[Queen]

Might leave until the whole Writers thing is organized.

It is indeed actually unfair that no one had the chance to apply to the group. It should've been like the following:
Over 10 people apply, staff team chooses 5 people with the best applications, make a poll, let the members vote.

@Zenta should read this thread. Thank you for stating it out.

[Rikka_mybb_import13585]

I don't take this as an insult or anything, no hate from my side, i'm just happy to get a feedback response.

First of all, i'm swedish so yes i have trouble with grammar & stuff like that 2nd thing of this topic is that i have dyslexia, so it's really hard for me to write, but i try my best & i try to develope myself as i go...

Second of all, it's my first time as a writer in general, i'm also looking for a co-leader who can help me with the issues i currently have.

But i see your point & if writers doesn't get a good look because of me, then sure, i'll resign...

Regards, Rikka.

[snow]

I don't take this as an insult or anything, no hate from my side, i'm just happy to get a feedback response.

First of all, i'm swedish so yes i have trouble with grammar & stuff like that 2nd thing of this topic is that i have dyslexia, so it's really hard for me to write, but i try my best & i try to develope myself as i go...

Second of all, it's my first time as a writer in general, i'm also looking for a co-leader who can help me with the issues i currently have.

But i see your point & if writers doesn't get a good look because of me, then sure, i'll resign...

Regards, <span class="toppostertoday">Rikka</span>.

You're Swedish, so naturally your first language isn't English. Completely understandable given the diversity we find on forums. You have dyslexia, which is kind of a red flag making me question why you were chosen, or why you wanted to lead. From my point of view you've got two things setting you back. I want to root for you, I want to tell you to push past the things holding you back, however I feel like this is a fairly insignificant way to do it, and it may not even help you. As the leader you're likely going to be picking up the slack, and you could be doing one section a week, or a majority of the sections. That'll be rough on you when you've gotta pick up other peoples slack. I know that happens because I've been a writer for months on other boards. 

Whatever happens, don't get discouraged. If it means anything I've seen college and university level students here in America have worse grammar than you, and they're writing 10 to 15 page papers. What I'd recommend is after writing something large, or even slightly substantial, get up and walk away from the computer. Come back, re-read it and see if you notice any errors. If you do find some errors then correct them. If not, I'd recommend having someone, a co-leader for example, proofread it for you and make necessary changes. When changes are made, re-read it and figure out why that needed to be changed, and even ask questions. I'm just glad you're understanding that this is feedback, and I hope it pushes you to continue excelling.

[Rikka_mybb_import13585]

You're Swedish, so naturally your first language isn't English. Completely understandable given the diversity we find on forums. You have dyslexia, which is kind of a red flag making me question why you were chosen, or why you wanted to lead. From my point of view you've got two things setting you back. I want to root for you, I want to tell you to push past the things holding you back, however I feel like this is a fairly insignificant way to do it, and it may not even help you. As the leader you're likely going to be picking up the slack, and you could be doing one section a week, or a majority of the sections. That'll be rough on you when you've gotta pick up other peoples slack. I know that happens because I've been a writer for months on other boards.

Whatever happens, don't get discouraged. If it means anything I've seen college and university level students here in America have worse grammar than you, and they're writing 10 to 15 page papers. What I'd recommend is after writing something large, or even slightly substantial, get up and walk away from the computer. Come back, re-read it and see if you notice any errors. If you do find some errors then correct them. If not, I'd recommend having someone, a co-leader for example, proofread it for you and make necessary changes. When changes are made, re-read it and figure out why that needed to be changed, and even ask questions. I'm just glad you're understanding that this is feedback, and I hope it pushes you to continue excelling.

I understand what you're saying, i already asked a HQ member on Sirius Forums to be my co-leader & help me with my grammar mistakes.

So basically i will make the thread with all the content from the writers members i've gathered, save it as a draft & then send it over to my co-leader who will edit the grammar.

I'm very grateful for your feedback on this, it really means alot & i will do my best with my future co-leader to give you the news you want!

P.S. Atleast let me show you that i can do it on our news deadline day, the 26th of february, because i haven't really gotten the chance to proove that i can do it with members help & co-leader-

Regards, Rikka.

[VirtualFrost]

I do have to agree with this. Just like snow, this isn't an attack, after reading what Rikka said, getting someone as a leader of a writing team whose first language isn't even English, and also may have difficulty too. I know you have good intentions Rikka, and good on you for actually applying and putting yourself forward as a leader. Maybe you could fit into writers. This is more of a complaint of how this whole process was done, and, to be honest, seems to be done very poorly.

If I had to be blunt and sincere, pick a new leader, and slow down with Writers cause you even have the worst looking userbars (I know it's a 'temp' one, but if the whole thing isn't ready why are you so quick to implement it?).

No offence to Rikka, like I said, good on you for applying and congrats on actually getting this position. Maybe even like you said you can get one shot at the news to see how it turns out, but even as a representative, people are going to be looking for the leader to see minimal grammatical and spelling mistakes whenever they post. Even if Rikka gets replaced, maybe even consider him for another position in Writers as it seems he's dedicated to being a part of the team.

[Alpha_mybb_import13563]

cause you even have the worst looking userbars (I know it's a 'temp' one, but if the whole thing isn't ready why are you so quick to implement it?).

Hmm, seems you're getting your first -rep sir

But yeah I reckon someone with Dyslexia and doesn't speak English as first language isn't the Best choice for a Writers group.

[VirtualFrost]

cause you even have the worst looking userbars (I know it's a 'temp' one, but if the whole thing isn't ready why are you so quick to implement it?).

Hmm, seems you're getting your first -rep sir

But yeah I reckon someone with Dyslexia and doesn't speak English as first language isn't the Best choice for a Writers group.

That was most definitely a horrible typo, hence why I did not apply for Writers, very sorry for the confusion :^)

[Zenta]

Very good points @180. Everyone deserves a shot though. Need be, a staff member can moderate the weekly threads and do a once over for grammar, spelling mistakes, and how the thread itself flows.