Resource Analysis Writing Guidelines (New writers please read!!!)

[Yuichi]

This article is meant for newer writers looking to contribute to the VGC C&C, and highlights some of the common mistakes made by newer writers. That said, there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to writing analyses, and this guide is not meant to impede your writing. The contents of each one may vary on a case by case basis and if there are any doubts on what is acceptable and what isn't, it is also always fine to clarify with members of the QC team.


VGC C&C QC Team:
Robbie35646
Yuichi
LameLiarLeo
sempra
yuki
zee
Sole Survivor
Choruto
SoulboyVGC


Before we start, here are some important resources I recommend every writer read before writing their first analysis:

Spelling and Grammar Standards (I strongly encourage writers to go through this article and keep it open as they're writing their analyses to reference formatting/spelling standards)
C&C Guide To Writing And QCing
Grammar-Prose Process
On: Plagiarism


General DOs and Don'ts for VGC C&C:

DO:

• Follow Spelling and Grammar standards closely. I'm not expecting you to be 100% perfect with Spelling and Grammar, but QC/GP should not be correcting your Spelling and Grammar issues every single line. Always proofread your analysis for any such formatting errors before sending it for QC. Fixing formatting issues is a long and tedious process for both the QC/GP team and yourself that can be easily avoided.
• Talk about the general role of the Pokemon that you're writing about in the overview, is it an Attacker, is it a Pivot, or does it work best as a Redirector to help support its allies?
• Talk about the place of the Pokemon in the current format, and how well it fares. It is good to give a balanced overview and inform the reader on what are some things that said Pokemon excels in and what are some of the hurdles that it has to overcome in the current format.
• Bring up and explain checks and counters, as well as potential allies that said Pokemon works well with. (Think of what the Pokemon you're writing about provides to its allies and vice versa)
• Mention anything non-obvious, especially if it relates to newer signature moves/gameplay mechanics. Eg. since Thunderclap is a relatively new signature move, it can be helpful to have one or two lines talking about it being Raging Bolt's Electric-type Sucker Punch alternative.
• Bring up unique game states involving the Pokemon/moves you're writing about. Eg. Raging Bolt clicking Dragon Pulse against a Terastallized Ogerpon-W instead of Thunderclap in anticipation of Thunderclap failing should Ogerpon-W click Follow Me.
• Talk about non-obvious EV spread choices, although further optimizations can be left out. Eg. talk about how X EVs in Spe allows Y Pokemon under Z condition, but it is ok to leave out minor details like how A EVs in HP help optimize Grassy Terrain recovery (unless this is really significant and helps with bulk/living attacks)
• Talk briefly about the STABs and coverage/attacking moves. Most of the time these moves are very straightforward, although it does help to mention how certain coverage may hit certain checks/Pokemon that you'll be otherwise unable to hit. Good to mention and contrast the alternatives/other options as well. Eg. Iron Crown can run Focus Blast over Tera Blast to OHKO Kingambit, but at the cost of consistency.
• Spend more time going in depth on unique mechanics/uses of moves and items, especially less seen options, like Imprison/Trick Room Indeedee-F.
• Bring in other alternatives! It is always worth discussing options to give players some flexibility with regards to how they want to run their Pokemon. Eg. Some players may choose to run Modest Iron Crown over Timid, in order to maximize its damage output, although this puts Iron Crown at risk of being outsped by Urshifu-R and Landorus.
• Make sure that your sentences and content are written in a cohesive manner. QC is meant to assess the quality of the content in the analysis, and not the actual writing. Although from time to time QC will suggest changes in the writing, QC should not be ghost-writing entire chunks of the analysis due to poor writing standards. Analysis with consistent formatting/writing issues may get reassigned.

DON'T:

• Regurgitate Dex info. There is no need to explain the typechart and how X-type has a good matchup against Y-type, rather list out the important threats of X-type that does well against said Pokemon or how Y-type Pokemon needs specific partners against Pokemon of X-type such as A, B, and C. Unless an ability/item/move is non-obvious, there is no need to mention it. Eg. no need to mention how Psychic Surge sets Psychic Terrain that prevents opposing Pokemon from using priority moves against your own (it is assumed that the reader already has the basic knowledge and knows this)
• List everything. There may be 10 viable Fire-types in the format, but for the current analysis format, it is ok to just list the most relevant 2-3 Pokemon.
• Beat around the bush. Get straight to the point and cut the fluff. The reader should not need to read 3 lines to find out Pokemon X does Y.
• Use the words checks and counters interchangeably. Checks and counters are inherently two different things and should be treated as such. Checks usually are Pokemon that have a positive matchup against the target (able to come in and force them out), but are unable to switch in freely and resist all of it's attacks/moves. Counters on the other hand, are able to overwhelm and switch in freely against the target, while the target is unable to do much against the counter in return.
  • Eg. Chien-Pao is a good check against Landorus. (Chien-Pao is able to OHKO Landorus with its Ice-type STAB move, but its unable to comfortably switch in into a potential Earth Power/Sludge Bomb without getting chipped significantly. Landorus can also Terastallize to avoid the OHKO from Chien-Pao, hence Chien-Pao is a check and not a counter).
  • Eg. Latias is a good counter against Landorus (Latias is able to OHKO Landorus with both of its attacks, depending on whether if Landorus has Terastallized or not. It can also comfortably switch into both Earth Power and Sludge Bomb without taking much damage from both attacks while still being able to click Recover against Landorus.)

Other Housekeeping Issues:

• Ensure that your WIP thread is posted in a timely fashion after reserving the analysis. Also be sure to implement QC checks and let QC members have another look if they haven't already approved the QC before sending it to GP
• Adhere to analysis writing timelines, WIP threads should be posted within 48 hours of reservation approval, and should be ready ideally within 4 days of reservation. Try to implement any QC/GP changes within 2-3 days of the QC/GP as well. We usually aren't too strict about deadlines, unless you've shown high levels of inactivity during the period, or have trouble completing the article, then we may reassign the analysis another writer. If you have any extenuating circumstances that prevent you from getting up your thread within this time frame, notify one of the VGC C&C Moderators.
• Poorly written articles with numerous formatting/consistency issues which require an extensive amount of ghostwriting/editing to be made coherent may also be reassigned.
• Repeat offenders of the above may be barred from reserving analyses for up to 6 months at a time.
• AMGP checks do not count as official GP checks, however writers are free to implement whichever portion of the AM check as they see fit. One implemented, writers should acknowledge that AM check has been implemented under the thread before an official GPer gives the thread another look.