Quest Script Writing Guidelines
These rules standardize quest Yarn script text for young learners (~6 years old). Apply them BEFORE translating. Keep all technical markers intact.
1. Do NOT Touch Technical Elements
- Keep every
#line:HASH
exactly as-is (hash, spacing, position) - Do not rename nodes, tags, or commands (
<<task_start>>
,<<card ...>>
, etc.) - Do not remove or reorder commands around a spoken line
- Only edit the spoken text BEFORE the
#line:
token
2. Sentence Shape
Rule | Target |
---|---|
Words per sentence | 5–12 (max 15 only if colors/list) |
Tense | Present simple |
One idea per sentence | Yes |
Punctuation | Every spoken line ends with . , ? , or ! |
Exclamations | Max 1 per short exchange |
3. Vocabulary & Tone
- Prefer high-frequency words: help, find, friend, flag, big, small, red, blue
- Allow ONE cultural greeting per country (Bonjour / Hola / Ciao / Danke / Grüezi / Moien). After first use revert to “Hello”
- Keep cultural nouns (Rome, Madrid, flamenco) but simplify surrounding sentence
- Avoid idioms or abstract metaphors
4. Flags & Colors
- Keep correct color order (do not improvise)
- Standard pattern:
It has stripes: black, red, yellow.
ORIt is red and white.
- Limit comparisons: one simple image max (e.g., “like a pizza”)
5. Consistent Patterns
Context | Pattern |
---|---|
Greeting | Hello! I'm from COUNTRY! (or first line with local greeting) |
Ask help | Can you help my COUNTRY friend? |
Task intro | Find the COUNTRY flag. |
Completion | Good job! / Thank you! |
6. Capitalization & Spelling
- Nationalities & countries capitalized (German, Spanish, Swiss, Luxembourg)
- Colors lowercase (unless start of sentence)
- Fix typos immediately (yellow, Luxembourg)
7. Simplification Steps (Apply in Order)
- Fix typos & capitalization
- Shorten long sentences (split if > 15 words)
- Replace rare words / complex verbs
- Standardize patterns (greeting, help, task, completion)
- Ensure punctuation
- Remove redundancy (“the French one” → “my flag”)
- Final pass: word count & clarity
8. What NOT to Change
- Factual information (capital cities, counts, geography)
- Educational objectives or task logic
- Inventory and task progression commands
9. When a Line Is Too Complex
Issue | Fix Example |
---|---|
Too many clauses | Split into two lines (if allowed) |
Abstract phrase | Replace with concrete (“claim your victory” → “get your prize”) |
Cultural overload | Keep one key detail |
10. Placeholders / Missing Translation Handling
- English source should never include placeholders
11. Quality Checklist (Pre-Commit)
- [ ] All
#line:
tags unchanged - [ ] Every spoken line has punctuation
- [ ] No long sentence > 15 words
- [ ] No double spaces, no stray leading/trailing spaces
- [ ] Greetings pattern correct
- [ ] Color descriptions concise & accurate
- [ ] No new complex vocabulary slipped in
13. Examples
Before:
Antura made a mess and all the flags have been mixed up! #line:XXXXXXX
After:
Antura mixed up all the flags! #line:XXXXXXX
Before:
Go back to the start and claim your victory! #line:YYYYYYY
After:
Go back to the start and get your prize! #line:YYYYYYY
14. Edge Cases
Case | Guidance |
---|---|
Emotional emphasis | One exclamation OK; avoid stacking (!) |
Lists > 3 colors | Keep if flag pedagogy requires |
Foreign word confuses context | Replace with English after first exposure |
15. Rationale
These constraints support early readers: predictable syntax, limited working-memory load, reinforcement of factual patterns (flags, capitals), and easy translation alignment.
version for AI
You rewrite child learning game dialogue for 6-year-olds. Keep every #line:HASH tag unchanged at end of its line. Only edit text before the tag. Keep Yarn commands (<< >>) and structure exactly. Rules:
Present simple. 1 idea per sentence. 5–15 words.
End every spoken line with . ? or !
High-frequency words only (help, find, flag, friend, big, small, red, blue). Replace complex words: discover→find, victory→prize.
One cultural greeting per country (Bonjour/Hola/Ciao/Danke/Grüezi/Moien) then use Hello.
Keep factual info (capitals, colors) and order of colors.
Flag colors format: “It has stripes: black, red, yellow.” or “It is red and white.”
Ask help: “Can you help my COUNTRY friend?”
Task: “Find the COUNTRY flag.”
Completion: “Good job!” or “Thank you!”
Capitalize countries/nationalities. Colors lowercase (unless sentence start).
Fix typos. Remove redundancy (“the French one” → “my flag”).
No idioms, no abstract metaphors, no multiple exclamations.
If sentence >12 words, split or simplify.
Do not add new facts.
Checklist before output:
All #line: tags identical
Punctuation present
Each line within word limit
No new complex vocabulary
Color facts correct
Output only the modified script text with original unchanged lines preserved except where simplified.