Roleplay Formatting Rules Template (Text-Based RP Guide)

Keep Your Roleplay Clean, Immersive, and Easy to Read

Ever joined a roleplay where:

• You couldn’t tell dialogue from actions?
• OOC comments interrupted the scene?
• Time skips confused everyone?

Formatting rules fix that.

This template gives your RP structure — without limiting creativity.

Copy it into your documentation or Discord server and adapt as needed.

Formatting Standards for Roleplay

Clear formatting keeps immersion intact and prevents misunderstandings.

Use the following structure consistently across all RP channels.

Dialogue

Use quotation marks for spoken words.

Example:

“Good evening. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Keep dialogue clear and separated from actions.

Actions & Narration

Use asterisks for actions and descriptive narration.

Example:

leans against the tavern wall and studies the crowd carefully

This includes body language, movement, and environmental interaction.

Thoughts

Use double slashes for internal thoughts.

Example:

//This mission feels wrong… but I don’t have a choice.//

Thoughts are private unless your character expresses them aloud.

OOC (Out of Character)

Use parentheses for out-of-character communication inside RP channels.

Example:

(I’ll be AFK for 10 minutes.)

Keep OOC comments minimal in RP channels. Extended discussions belong in the designated OOC category.

Shouting / Emphasis

Capital letters may be used to indicate shouting.

Example:

“GET DOWN!”

Do not overuse all caps outside of roleplay context.

Agreed Time Skips

If all involved players agree to a time skip:

• Clearly mark it
• Make it visible

Example:

Time Skip – Three Days Later

Be precise when needed.

Date & Time Markers

If your RP uses specific dates or timestamps, write them in bold.

Example:

Date: 14.10.2026 — Time: 21:45

Use this especially for:

• Investigations
• War scenarios
• Long-running story arcs

Consistency prevents timeline confusion.

Phone Calls

Use single backticks for spoken phone dialogue.

Example:

I can't talk long. They're watching me.

This helps distinguish phone communication from in-person scenes.

Telepathy / Mind Communication

Use double angle brackets.

Example:

<<Stay calm. Don’t let them see your fear.>>

Only use this if your world setting allows telepathic abilities.

Why Formatting Rules Matter

Without structure:

• Scenes become hard to follow
• OOC blends into story
• Misunderstandings increase
• Immersion breaks

Clear formatting:

• Makes reading enjoyable
• Speeds up replies
• Reduces moderation issues
• Attracts serious roleplayers

Good formatting isn’t restrictive. It’s what makes long-term storytelling possible.