What Is Chalk Talk?
We have wanted to put together an assignment style feature that would allow writers to get some special recognition. You might want to think of it as an offspring from TheHotSpot?s homework assignments and the Blog Bunker reports, we will be sharing this via our social networks like Twitter and Facebook.

Wait, so Chalk Talk is Replacing SoapBox?
Not by a long shot, SoapBox will still exist and continue to be updated with new contributors as a separate feature. Chalk Talk will have special guests contribute to the piece but most of the content will be provided by GameSpot?s community managers. The SoapBox will continue to be your source for editorial type of rants and raves about the game industry, posted by GameSpot staff and GameSpot members.

We plan on updating Chalk Talk once a week, that however isn't to say that we aren?t open to fabulous contributing editors creating a stunning feature. Don't be surprised if you see more than one Chalk Talk published in a given week!

Why should I care about this?
Quite simply if you care about seeing your blog or other blogs posted by excellent writers of the site Chalk Talk will be a way for you all to get additional recognition. Provided there is enough support, and possibly propel users blogs to the front page.

Okay, I'm on board. How do I get featured?
The first step is marking your blog as an editorial based on what we've assigned or create your own blog about anything on your mind for extra credit. Here's how to get recognized.

- Before you've clicked the "Submit" button make sure that you select "Editorial" in the field for category (see image).

Otherwise there are Rangers out there constantly on the hunt for high quality blogs, that being said you are welcome to reach out to anyone you see with a Ranger tag. You can also reach out to previous contributing editors as well as mods and admins.

At the end of each of the Chalk Talks there will be an "Assignment" for bloggers to complete in hopes of being featured in the next edition of the feature. Not interested in the assignment? There's still a chance to be featured as "Extra Credit"

What do you mean by Assignment and Extra Credit?
An Assignment is what will help allow users to be featured as a part of Chalk Talk. Assignments have an overlying theme to help mold the feature into a proper page. Here are a few examples of possible discussions:
Are New Endings Worth It, Feminism in Games, and Music in Video Games, Just to name a few.

So I have to write what you tell me?
Not exactly, the assignment has an overlying theme and will also include several tips for what we're looking for in the assignment for being featured.

Explain this "Extra Credit"
Extra Credit are blogs that don't meet the standards of the assignment but are fantastic blogs none the less. That way, everyone still has a chance of being featured!

Will ChalkTalk be on the front page?
That all depends on the community. We?re affording users the chance and the means to be featured, but the community needs to support the feature if we want to see it make the front page of the site. There will be coverage on our social networks; Twitter, Facebook, and G+ meaning a possible half a million eyes on this feature.

You keep saying "Contributing Editor" what is that?
Staff will select a contributing editor from GameSpot's community, and they will assist with the feature for the day. The Contributing Editor creates the assignment, collects the appropriate blogs, selects who to feature, and so forth. The Contributing Editor then passes the content to either CM?s to then be posted on the site. Why do you want to be a CE? A Legendary Emblem, a ?Powered By? credit on the page, as well as possible additional incentives which are still being determined are just a few reasons why you might want to try for being a Contributing Editor.

How do you pick what gets featured?
The decision is made by the Contributing Editor for the page, normally the Contributing Editor will be either Community Managers or other GameSpot staff members. However, we are giving GameSpot members a chance to volunteer as a "Contributing Editor" for Chalk Talk too.

Tips on how to get Featured
Here are a few quick tips to play by when posting blogs for Chalk Talk:
- Stay away from episodic Blog titles.By this we mean titles like "Synthia's Grab Bag of Gaming Goodies #1034".
- If you have pictures, please make them uniform. Similar sizes and displayed in a consistent fashion.
- No weird fonts or colors! We cannot stress this enough, you wouldn?t turn in an official form in pink or green ink.
- Swearing, keep it PG-13 guys and dolls. Yes the TOU states that you're welcome to swear, but to be featured on the site you'll need to keep verbiage tasteful (or appropriately censored).
- The blog should be a minimum of 500 words, which really isn't much when you think about it.

Want an example of some amazing blogs?
The Emotion Device - By: adam1808
Defending Jacob: Elaborated Book Review - By: pokecharm
Across the Universe - By: Pierst179


Wait, I still have questions!
Of course you do, that's what this blog is for. It's the introductory stage to Chalk Talk where we want your feedback, insights, questions, comments, or concerns. I'll be answering them periodically and the questions may be featured when the official announcement is posted at a later date.