Animation Source Forums

I want to know if having a fanfic rating system is a good idea. this way we can know what the content is in the stories we are reading, in case were looking for a certian kind of story, or trying to stay away from certian content. Tell me what you think.

Hmm, that would be a good idea. I mean, with my stories, I put a rating on them anyway (plus any additional warnings), but I don't know if all fanfic writers use a rating system in the first place.

I supppose that until one enforces a rating system for fics (if Steet believes that one is necessary), readers should be cautious before reading a fic (or at least read warnings if the authors' wish to mention any).

That's my opinion on it.

- Juuchan17

No I dont think so. It will overemphasize some over others and might cause a lot of problems for writers. On the other hand it might just give some writers the boost they need to give it their all, but being the pessimist I am...

So you mean the G, PG, PG-13, R type things? Then yes, I agree. The one I'm working on is more PG-13~ish. It is a good idea. Maybe you should mention it to Steet.

I'm with Juuchan17 (boy, that's a first). A rating system is a good idea. Warnings are good, but I think ratings just make things more simple and direct. I'll take one of my younger siblings as an example. I know that if she sees a warning like, "Caution! Mature content included in this fanfic! Read at your own risk!" and blah blah blah, I doubt she'd take any notice of it, or even read the warning. But ratings say very clearly PG-13, R, whatever, and enough warnings from my mom have been pounded into her head that she would know that she shouldn't read stuff like that. A rating is simpler, more direct, and makes it easier to judge how mature the fanfic is than the "Read this at your own risk!" stuff.

In fact there's already a rating system on the fanfics (at least you can choose the rating when you send or modify a fanfic), but I still need to make it appear when you read the fanfic. (I'll display it on the cover probably)