- DecepticonCobra
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- Fabled Heroic Member
@accordingto343
Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.
In the Universe Forum's early days, many quality theories were crafted, some can still be seen on the Top Forum Topic bar to the right. However, that is starting to no longer be the case. This is just a handy guide for those of you who have wild ideas in your mind and you want to share them as a theory on what is to come or has occurred yet still remains a mystery in the Halo Universe. Please keep in mind this is not the definitive guide, if you have quality suggestions, share them.
Examples of quality theories
The Precursor, The Flood, and the Acceleration of Evolution: V2.6
Halo 4, In plain sight. V 1.5 Origins update
Mendicant Bias and the Great Intragalactic Scavenger Hunt
Cite your sources!
Perhaps the golden rule of creating a theory, source citation. This should be a concept your average middle schooler should understand. When you are asked to do a research paper, you are asked to also make a works cited page, this is no different here. If you want your theory to be taken seriously, you need sources.
Your sources can come from the games, books, and other forms of media. To properly incorporate your sources make sure you state where it came from, if it's a book state the page number, if it comes form the game provide the cutscene as a YouTube video, if it comes from media like Halo Legends state the episode it appears in and perhaps even the running time. All sources can even provide quotes, if they help your theory provide them.
Example
Say you believe Mendicant Bias is responsible for sending Master Chief to the Mysterious Planet in the Halo 4 trailer, you could provide a quote from the final(?) Terminal in Halo 3.
And so here at the end of my life, I do once again betray a former master. The path ahead is fraught with peril. But I will do all I can to keep it stable - keep you safe. I'm not so foolish to think this will absolve me of my sins. One life hardly balances billions. But I would have my masters know that I have changed. And you shall be my example.
Mendicant Bias to John-117.
Obviously more would be expected, but try to follow a format like so.
Other notes:
Posted by: Spartan1065
Halo wikis and other such sites are secondary sources. Go to the primary source the book, game, or video/cutscene you are citing.
Make sure you do not use the Halo wiki as your primary or only source for information. They are a wiki, anybody can edit them and provide false info that is speculation at best. As mentioned above, use the books, games, and media as your primary sources.
Make your theory readable!
I don't care if you probably have the greatest theory in the world, if you can't be bothered to provide readable spelling, grammar, and punctuation, I won't read it. Also, when dealing with paragraphs, don't make a giant wall, break them up to readable chunks. And for the love of whatever religious deity or lack thereof, Please Don't Type Like This, it's highly discouraged.
Finally, make sure your theory flows nicely. Do not throw your proof everywhere randomly hoping we all piece it together. Make on idea flow to the next accurately.
Do NOT be hostile to those debating your theory
There is a bad habit in the Universe of theory makers becoming overly defensive about their theory. Word of advice, do not start flame wars or begin name calling if someone doesn't accept your theory and they explain why. Your theory is not fact and until it is proven right or wrong, the burden of proof is on you to defend your theory while accepting constructive criticism.
Guide wrap up
Here is the guide in a nutshell.
1. Cite your sources and evidence.
2. Use proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, paragraph spacing, and make your theory flow from one point to the next.
3. Don't be a whiny -blam!- if someone doesn't agree with your theory.
4. Play nice.
[Edited on 09.14.2011 3:32 PM PDT]