1. Write Clear English. I'm not trying to be a grammar nut, but you won't persuade someone who can't easily figure out what you're saying.
2. Be Concise. I'm not saying you should cater to the TLDR crowd. But your message will be clearer if you get straight to the point.
3. Say Something New. If you just say something that's been said a million times before, then most people will just stop reading. Leaving only the ones who will get a huge kick out of flaming you.
4. Be Concrete. For example, don't just state that you'll be gimped by a change. Spell out exactly how, in terms of facility lost in particular situations. This is information that can be taken back to the developers.
5. Don't Make Threats. Posts like "I'm going to quit," or "I'm rerolling" don't cut the mustard. Arguments based on game mechanics or balance may persuade. Blackmail won't win anyone's sympathy, and certainly won't get any further than the CMs.
6. Avoid Memes. Saying stuff like "QQ" and "L2P" may feel satisfying, but people just skim past those messages.
7. Avoid Flames. I know it's sometimes sorely tempting. But throwing around terms like "retarded" and "idiot" won't help your cause.
8. Stay Focused. Avoid writing a succession of unrelated sentences. Give your post focus and direction. Try to lead your reader naturally to the point you want to make.
9. Don't Overstate. An overblown statement like "this change will destroy our class" may lower your credibility in the eyes of your readers. You don't have to tiptoe around the topic, but don't get carried away either.
10. Work on Your Writing. Writing is a learned skill. Practice it. Get a book on the topic, such as The Elements of Style. I promise you won't regret it. Good writing is an invaluable life skill.
These forums contain a lot of different opinions. I post this list in the hope that just a handful of posts start to express those ideas a little more thoughtfully. These forums, and perhaps even the game, would be a lot better for it.
1. Insult those who disagree with you. Honestly, anyone who doesn't share your opinions is clearly homosexual. Make sure you notify the internet.
2. Use large amounts of anecdotal evidence. I had a friend who told me that whenever he uses anecdotal evidence, he wins debates.
3. Repeat the same thing over and over. The more you say something, the more true it becomes. Furthemore, the truth of any given statement increases the more times you say it.
4. Use lots of memes. Make sure people know that they need to QQ and L2P.
5. grammer is bad, k? srsly i no wat im saying, i no how 2 rite good
6. Use lots of exclamation points. The more exclamation points you use, the more important and exciting it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The same is true for question marks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7. Use massive hyperbole If you don't grossly exaggerate, it's a slap in the face to all forum goers. I will find you and back over you with my car repeatedly.
8. Make it clear that you don't take crap from anyone. People are impressed by your hatred of "the man". Make it clear you don't conform to wussy things like logic and careful thought.
9. Be really obscure. The more confusing you are not not not not not not not not, the easier it will be for people to have a hard time disagreeing with you.
10. Make wild analogies. Imagine your a fish. If you got eaten by a bird, you wouldn't like it would you? Obviously, you'd make wild analogies if it happened to you too.
Quote from CoCoBuckeTs;297119: The Elements of Style ah, the little red book. I have a copy of that floating around here somewhere. it's a top read. ;)