OP by dave.
Updated by deetah and Rabia.
Welcome to the Grammar Prose Workshop v5! We've decided to revive and revamp this project in order to encourage more users to contribute to Smogon through GP checking analyses and articles. This workshop is where users can turn to learn more about the process known as Grammar and Prose, commonly referred to as "GP". This particular facet of Smogon handles the editing of written content to ensure that it is grammatically correct before going on-site. There are several areas where grammar checking is needed, including the following:
Areas Where GP Is Needed
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that amchecks are currently not allowed on The Flying Press articles and Social Media Spotlights due to their time sensitive nature, but you are welcome to practice on analyses in the C&C forum!
Useful Links
Before being accepted as an official member of the GP team, you'll obviously need to prove that you have what it takes to fit the bill. The best way to show your skills here is to do what we call amchecks, or amateur checks. These can be posted in any analysis after it reaches the Copyediting phase as indicated by the thread tag. The writer is not required to implement your changes, but they are allowed to, and it's not uncommon for an official GPer to come behind you and validate your work or give you a few pointers to help you improve. Keep in mind, however, that your amchecks do not count as official checks and thus do not count toward the completion of the Copyediting phase, unless an official GPer stamps your work to indicate that it is satisfactory (which is huge if that happens). However, official GPers will not always go over amchecks and may go on and just post an official one. Remember that you cannot leave placeholders for amchecks, as they are not official; also, make sure the writer knows it's an amcheck to avoid confusion.
When you do checks of your own, you'll want to do is establish a key at the top of your amcheck post first and foremost, which indicates what colors mean to add and remove content, and you can use them to indicate other things as well, including side comments, capitalization, and so on.
An example courtesy of Milak of this is as follows:
Once you have done a fair amount of solid amchecks, generally 10 or so and possibly stamped, you can submit an application to join the GP team by messaging Astra, Lumari, and Rabia a submission including proof of your GP abilities. They will either tell you how you can improve, ask for more examples before they come to a decision, or add you to the GP team. If you'd like for an official GPer to look over your work, you can inquire about this in #questions on the GP Discord, which can be found here. The GP Discord is the best way to meet other GPers and amcheckers as well as recieve feedback and answers from others. You can post here in this thread if you want to be tutored or contact a GPer over Discord if you would like them to go over some of your amchecks:
Time to Practice!
Below are some exercises that contain several errors. Test yourself here first if you'd like by providing GP editions of these examples to correct where they are wrong. Some have more identifiable mistakes than others, and some may need to be completely reworded. To receive feedback, simply provide your corrections as a response to this thread!
Disclaimer: Some of these exercises were taken from published work on Smogon. We trust you to work with pure honesty, using your own judgement only; of course, practice is the key and making mistakes will only help you gain more confidence. So don't hesitate to ask if you're unsure!
Furthermore, we will provide additional material when we feel it's needed for you to work on. A GPer will then try reviewing the amchecks and spot the more common mistakes, giving tips and tricks on how to become better at noticing them as well as helping you improve flow and avoid making subjective changes when it's not needed.
Updated by deetah and Rabia.
Welcome to the Grammar Prose Workshop v5! We've decided to revive and revamp this project in order to encourage more users to contribute to Smogon through GP checking analyses and articles. This workshop is where users can turn to learn more about the process known as Grammar and Prose, commonly referred to as "GP". This particular facet of Smogon handles the editing of written content to ensure that it is grammatically correct before going on-site. There are several areas where grammar checking is needed, including the following:
Areas Where GP Is Needed
Contributions & Corrections
Commonly abbreviated as C&C, this is the part of the site where Pokemon analyses and articles that dictate or explain relevant information for the many generations and tiers are written. The GP phase happens after the QC (Quality Control) phase, which fine-tunes the competitive quality of the content. After an analysis has received all its Quality Control checks (usually indicated by QC 1/1 or QC 2/2), the writer will change the thread tag to Copyediting, which means that it's time for the writeup to go through GP, usually consisting of one or two checks. After the writer of the analysis has implemented the GP checks, the analysis is generally ready for upload.
Commonly abbreviated as C&C, this is the part of the site where Pokemon analyses and articles that dictate or explain relevant information for the many generations and tiers are written. The GP phase happens after the QC (Quality Control) phase, which fine-tunes the competitive quality of the content. After an analysis has received all its Quality Control checks (usually indicated by QC 1/1 or QC 2/2), the writer will change the thread tag to Copyediting, which means that it's time for the writeup to go through GP, usually consisting of one or two checks. After the writer of the analysis has implemented the GP checks, the analysis is generally ready for upload.
The Flying Press
The spiritual successor to The Smog, The Flying Press releases individual articles about a variety of topics relating to Smogon, from Pokemon spotlights to tournament coverage to PS! room overviews. Note that the GP standards for The Flying Press are more relaxed than in C&C. Also, unlike C&C, The Flying Press's writing workshop is not public; you must have permission to view it, which is usually only given through having an article approved in the submission phase or becoming part of the official GP or HTML team.
Once an article's thread tag changes to Grammar, the writer is done with the article and is now awaiting your edits. After the writer of the article has implemented two GP checks, the article must have HTML done, and then it is generally ready for publishing. Be advised that art may come to a project at any time of these projects and has no bearing on the order of phases therein.
The spiritual successor to The Smog, The Flying Press releases individual articles about a variety of topics relating to Smogon, from Pokemon spotlights to tournament coverage to PS! room overviews. Note that the GP standards for The Flying Press are more relaxed than in C&C. Also, unlike C&C, The Flying Press's writing workshop is not public; you must have permission to view it, which is usually only given through having an article approved in the submission phase or becoming part of the official GP or HTML team.
Once an article's thread tag changes to Grammar, the writer is done with the article and is now awaiting your edits. After the writer of the article has implemented two GP checks, the article must have HTML done, and then it is generally ready for publishing. Be advised that art may come to a project at any time of these projects and has no bearing on the order of phases therein.
Social Media Spotlights
Social Media Spotlights consist of individual Pokemon set spotlights for different tiers that are uploaded to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. These are meant to be short and sweet and only require one QC and GP check each.
Social Media Spotlights consist of individual Pokemon set spotlights for different tiers that are uploaded to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. These are meant to be short and sweet and only require one QC and GP check each.
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that amchecks are currently not allowed on The Flying Press articles and Social Media Spotlights due to their time sensitive nature, but you are welcome to practice on analyses in the C&C forum!
Useful Links
- The Spelling and Grammar Standards is a full list of the criteria the GP team follows (we suggest bookmarking it). If you've lurked here on Smogon for a while, a lot of the common terms and usage of the terms should be somewhat second-nature by now, which is a huge benefit. If you haven't lurked very much, not to worry; this is a task that becomes easier with experience because there's a lot of repetition. It won't take long to catch on even though it may seem like a ton.
- fleurdyleurse has compiled an extensive list of notes for new GPers to use as a reference as well. It can be found here.
- A guide to making subjective GP changes can be found here.
- The GP Team Queue is where analyses that are ready for the GP phase are listed; the list of links in the OP is an automated list of every analysis currently waiting for GP checks. Although you can go and search for analyses to practice on yourself, this thread will help you find an analysis much easier.
- If you've done a few amchecks already and are interested in joining the GP team, consider signing up for tutoring to receive more involved and thorough feedback here. An official GPer will be assigned to you and will help mentor you by answering any questions you may have and looking over your amchecks.
Before being accepted as an official member of the GP team, you'll obviously need to prove that you have what it takes to fit the bill. The best way to show your skills here is to do what we call amchecks, or amateur checks. These can be posted in any analysis after it reaches the Copyediting phase as indicated by the thread tag. The writer is not required to implement your changes, but they are allowed to, and it's not uncommon for an official GPer to come behind you and validate your work or give you a few pointers to help you improve. Keep in mind, however, that your amchecks do not count as official checks and thus do not count toward the completion of the Copyediting phase, unless an official GPer stamps your work to indicate that it is satisfactory (which is huge if that happens). However, official GPers will not always go over amchecks and may go on and just post an official one. Remember that you cannot leave placeholders for amchecks, as they are not official; also, make sure the writer knows it's an amcheck to avoid confusion.
When you do checks of your own, you'll want to do is establish a key at the top of your amcheck post first and foremost, which indicates what colors mean to add and remove content, and you can use them to indicate other things as well, including side comments, capitalization, and so on.
An example courtesy of Milak of this is as follows:
[OVERVIEW]
Zangoose is one of the most effective wall breakers and late-game sweepers in the NU metagame. Zangoose also shines as one of the best possible sweepers for Sticky Web-based teams. After just a single turn needed to activate toxic boost, Zangoose has more initial power than most Pokemon in the tier. Its power can be bolstered further with Swords Dance, although Zangoose's poor bulk and lack of resistnces makes it difficlut for it to find a time to set up. This forces Zangoose to rely on double switches, and pivoting moves in order to switch in safely. Despite Zangoose's excellent offensive moves in Facade, Knock Off, and Close Combat Zangoose's base 90 speed is merely above-average. Thankfully, Quick Attack and Sticky Web support can make up for this flaw, making Zangoose one of the top offensive threats in the tier.
Zangoose is one of the most effective wall breakers and late-game sweepers in the NU metagame. Zangoose also shines as one of the best possible sweepers for Sticky Web-based teams. After just a single turn needed to activate toxic boost, Zangoose has more initial power than most Pokemon in the tier. Its power can be bolstered further with Swords Dance, although Zangoose's poor bulk and lack of resistnces makes it difficlut for it to find a time to set up. This forces Zangoose to rely on double switches, and pivoting moves in order to switch in safely. Despite Zangoose's excellent offensive moves in Facade, Knock Off, and Close Combat Zangoose's base 90 speed is merely above-average. Thankfully, Quick Attack and Sticky Web support can make up for this flaw, making Zangoose one of the top offensive threats in the tier.
Additions
Removals
Comments
(You would usually have hide tags here to hide this below; otherwise the post would be very long)
[OVERVIEW]
Zangoose is one of the most effective wall breakers wallbreakers and late-game sweepers in the NU metagame,(replace period with comma) Zangoose and it also shines as one of the best possible sweepers for Sticky Web-based teams (you should probably add Sticky Web users to Team Options below). After just a single turn needed to activate toxic boost Toxic Boost, Zangoose has more initial power than most Pokemon in the tier. Its power can be bolstered further with Swords Dance, although Zangoose's poor bulk and lack of resistnces resistances makes it difficlut difficult for it to find a time to set up. This forces Zangoose to rely on double switches,(RC) and pivoting moves in order to switch in safely. Despite Zangoose's excellent offensive moves in Facade, Knock Off, and Close Combat,(AC) its Zangoose's base 90 speed Speed is merely above-(remove dash, add space)average (even for NU haha). Thankfully, Quick Attack and Sticky Web support can make up for this flaw, making Zangoose one of the top offensive threats in the tier.
Removals
Comments
(You would usually have hide tags here to hide this below; otherwise the post would be very long)
[OVERVIEW]
Zangoose is one of the most effective wall breakers wallbreakers and late-game sweepers in the NU metagame,(replace period with comma) Zangoose and it also shines as one of the best possible sweepers for Sticky Web-based teams (you should probably add Sticky Web users to Team Options below). After just a single turn needed to activate toxic boost Toxic Boost, Zangoose has more initial power than most Pokemon in the tier. Its power can be bolstered further with Swords Dance, although Zangoose's poor bulk and lack of resistnces resistances makes it difficlut difficult for it to find a time to set up. This forces Zangoose to rely on double switches,(RC) and pivoting moves in order to switch in safely. Despite Zangoose's excellent offensive moves in Facade, Knock Off, and Close Combat,(AC) its Zangoose's base 90 speed Speed is merely above-(remove dash, add space)average (even for NU haha). Thankfully, Quick Attack and Sticky Web support can make up for this flaw, making Zangoose one of the top offensive threats in the tier.
As you might have guessed, (AC) and (RC) are short for add comma and remove comma, respectively. These are commonly used at Smogon in addition to the punctuation change simply because a color change on something so small can be easy to overlook otherwise. Comments you make, as indicated by your key, are not implemented and you can use them to convey thoughts you have throughout the read as you are checking. The example comment here regarding adding Sticky Web to Team Options is assuming that the writer left it out, and their mention of Sticky Web mitigating one of Zangoose's flaws is a good place to bring that to their attention.
You can personalize the colors you use to an extent, but it's best to stick with something close to blue for additions, red for removals, and then something like green or purple for comments. This is best for the sake of readability and consistency for our writers trying to implement.
You can personalize the colors you use to an extent, but it's best to stick with something close to blue for additions, red for removals, and then something like green or purple for comments. This is best for the sake of readability and consistency for our writers trying to implement.
Once you have done a fair amount of solid amchecks, generally 10 or so and possibly stamped, you can submit an application to join the GP team by messaging Astra, Lumari, and Rabia a submission including proof of your GP abilities. They will either tell you how you can improve, ask for more examples before they come to a decision, or add you to the GP team. If you'd like for an official GPer to look over your work, you can inquire about this in #questions on the GP Discord, which can be found here. The GP Discord is the best way to meet other GPers and amcheckers as well as recieve feedback and answers from others. You can post here in this thread if you want to be tutored or contact a GPer over Discord if you would like them to go over some of your amchecks:
Time to Practice!
Below are some exercises that contain several errors. Test yourself here first if you'd like by providing GP editions of these examples to correct where they are wrong. Some have more identifiable mistakes than others, and some may need to be completely reworded. To receive feedback, simply provide your corrections as a response to this thread!
Disclaimer: Some of these exercises were taken from published work on Smogon. We trust you to work with pure honesty, using your own judgement only; of course, practice is the key and making mistakes will only help you gain more confidence. So don't hesitate to ask if you're unsure!
Furthermore, we will provide additional material when we feel it's needed for you to work on. A GPer will then try reviewing the amchecks and spot the more common mistakes, giving tips and tricks on how to become better at noticing them as well as helping you improve flow and avoid making subjective changes when it's not needed.
Torterras niche largely comes from it's good coverage, access to Rock Polish and solid natural bulk making it a functional sweeper in the lategame that can be difficult to take down without super-effective coverage. Torterra can also support its team as a breaker in matchups where sweeping is unlikely which gives it some flexibility. Unfortunately, Torterra's low speed makes it incredibly reliant on obtaining a Rock Polish boost to not be immediately threatened by the myriad of Pokemon who are faster than it, such as Aerodactyl, Sigilyph, Sneasel and Delphox. Additionally, despite Torterras great coverage, it struggles greatly with Pokemon like Weezing and Dhelmise who are to bulky to overwhelm without Swords Dance. Torterra is also marred by a neutrality to Water and a severe weakness to Scald which maekes it less splashable given the opportunity cost of using it over other, more consistent Grass Types like Whimsicott and Sceptile.
Scald is reliable STAB that possesses a chance to make Slowbro even more difficult to take down with physical attacks and threatens Fire, Rock, and Ground-types like Delphox, Rhydon, Steelix and Palossand. Scald becomes Hydro Vortex when used alongside Waterium-Z and enables Slowbro to break past even Grasses like Sceptile and Whimsicott as well as opposing Slowbros with the help of Calm Mind. Block is the crux of the set and lets Slowbro trap passive Pokemon like Audino-Mega, Ferroseed, and Miltank as well as bulky Waters like Vaporeon, Blastoise, and Defensive Slowbro. Calm Mind allows Slowbro to better take on Special Attackers like Diancie, Comfey and Whimsicott. Rest restores all of Slowbro's hp and clears it of any status from Pokemon like Xatu, Vaporeon, and Seismitoad, making it difficult to wear down once it gets multiple boosts from Calm Mind. Additionally it lets Slowbro reliably trap and eliminate Pokemon such as Audino-Mega, Vaporeon, and Miltank, which rely on Toxic to defeat bulky Waters and enables Slowbro to pp-stall Water immunities Pokemon like Vaporeon and Seismitoed.
Utility Talonflame fits on Balance and Bulky Offense teams that appreciate it spreading burns and punishing opposing pivots, namely Slither Wing and Scizor. It can form a potent Volt-turn core with teammates like Sandy Shocks and Slither Wing to pressure opposing teams. Talonflame cannot safely switchin against several dangerous physical attackers like Tyranitar and Gyarados, making bulky teammates like Hippowdon and Wo Chien desirable. Talonflame struggles against powerful Electric-Types like Sandy Shocks and Kilowattrel, making Gastrodon and Hippowdon good teammates. Tsareena is a valuable teammate which provides hazard removal, letting Talonflame drop Defog for other utility moves, and checks the bulky Water-Types that Talonflame hates.
Quiver Dance + Terastallization make Frosmoth one of NeverUsed's deadliest sweepers. Despite its mediocre coverage, it can use Tera Ground alongside Tera Blast to beat Steel-types like Copperrajah and Perrserker, as well as Muk. In addition, Tera Ground gives Frosmoth a Rock resist so Lycanroc's Accelerock can't revenge-kill Frosmoth. Alternatively, Frosmoth can drop Giga Drain and run Substitute with Tera Ghost to 1v1 Chansey and abuse Choice Scarf Passimian and Medicham that lock into Close Combat. Another option is Tera Fairy, blocking Eelektross' Dragon Tail and still helping against Choice Scarf Passimian as well as Mabbosstiff. Special Walls like Assault Vest Eelektross, Chansey, or Ursaring are difficult for Frosmoth to 1v1 depending on its Tera Type, and others like Copperajah, AV Perrserker, and Muk aren't 1HKOed by +1 Ground Tera Blast, pair Frosmoth with special wallbreakers such as Zoroark, Abomasnow and Pyroar to soften up these checks. Also, Frosmoth is quite vulnerable to common Scarfers like Passimian, Mabosstiff, and Medicham even at +1 without the proper Tera Type, making defensive switchins to them such as Qwilfish, Dachsbun, and Drifblim good to have.
Choice Band Rayquaza is one of the strongest wallbreakers in the tier thanks to its high Attack and high base power moves. Dragon Ascent is Rayquaza's main stab of choice, 2HKO'ing prominent Defensive walls such as Clefable and Slowking. V-Create lets Rayquaza overpower Pokemon who resist Dragon Ascent such as Necrozma-Dusk-Mane, Corviknight, Skarmory, and Zamazenta-Crowned. ExtremeSpeed allows Rayquaza to finish off chipped Pokemon like Weavile, Tapu Koko, and Raichu-Alolan. Earthquake still dents Zamazenta-Crowned and Excadrill without lowering Rayquaza's stats and also provides coverage against Tyranitar Tapu-Koko, and Heatran. However, EQ is significantly weaker and fails to 2HKO physical defensive Necrozma-Dusk-Mane. Scale Shot is another option which turns Rayquaza into a potential lategame cleaner thanks to its Speed boost and it gives it a chance to break Lunala but it suffers from inconsistent damage; Outrage is an option for burst damage against bulkier threats like Giratina and Zekrom but locking Rayquaza into it for 2 to 3 turns is a steep penalty if any Fairy types remain on the opposing side.
Corviknight has a wide range of other possible Abilities. Dauntless Shield, especially in conjunction with Body Press, is another option for defensive sets. It does slightly better in some match ups, like not letting Heatran in for free, but it does not provide the same amount of support as Intimidate and it is much worse at checking Zarude. Mummy is another option over Wandering Spirit, but does not let Corviknight steal Regenerator for itself. Regenerator makes it a more effective pivot, but comes at the cost of being unable to directly switch into the strongest Physical Attackers. Magic Bounce allows it to deny hazards and status moves, and Unaware lets it block set up attempts more reliably. Primordial Sea is an option over Flash Fire to still check Mold Breaker Heatran, but this comes at the cost of taking increased damage from Water moves and lets Desolate Land Heatran switch into it much easier.
Arceus-Poison is a niche sweeper and Xerneas check in Generation 7 Anything Goes. Being a Moonblast resist and only weak to rare Psychic type coverage from Xernaes, Arceus Poison switches into most variants to set up and/or land Poison Jab. Like all Arcues forms, SD and ESpeed allow it to sweep through teams. Although Poison type coverage is poor overall, and Poison Jab is weak - Arceus Poison cant run Judgment because Xerneas’ Geomancy would weaken it. Further, not running Earthquake means Primal Groudon hard-walls it, and not running Recover means it will live less long as a Xerneas check.
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