January Contest #1

[unwoundfantasy.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about asking too many questions -- this one is a "GO WILD!" sort of contest. ;)


Contest Type: Classifying the Houses

Specifics: Due to all the confusion in where folks belong when sorting, you must come up with a method of deciding how students should be sorted. An essay, perhaps? Or maybe a chart that shows the percentages of a person's personality traits within each house? Maybe a pretty graphic that lists the houses' most common traits. You come up with whatever you can possibly imagine, under one condition -- you must represent each house, not only your own.

Size Regulations? No size limit.

Deadline: Friday, January 14, 2005 by ten p.m. US Central time

Participation Points: See Points System Page

Winning Points: See Points System Page

All general rules may be found here.


Bunny, Gryffindor
Contest Leader

Comments

[it-burns-us.livejournal.com]

What a nifty contest!



Image can be found here (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/it_burns_us/for-hogwartsishome.jpg).

Sorting Guide

[tangerinesidhe.livejournal.com]

Most people have a sense of humor, care about the people close to them, and want to accomplish certain things in life. There are a finite number of characters in the Potterverse from which to choose favorites and least favorites. Sometimes sorting can be difficult. However, considering the tone of the application--examining not just the choices but the motivation behind those choices--can make it much easier to place new students into the appropriate house.

Gryffindor: What is right?
Gryffindors usually look at the world in terms of right and wrong. Although they may shun rules and laws, they have a strongly defined moral code.
An application that talks about bravery does not equate to Gryffindor. Likewise, an application that fails to mention bravery does not eliminate the possibility of a Gryffindor. However, all Gryffindors have strong convictions and will fight for what they believe is right.

Hufflepuff: What is fair?
Hufflepuffs tend to look at the world in terms of fairness. They do not like to see people mistreated, and they do not like inequality.
Hufflepuffs are not cowardly and they are not stupid. They are not the "leftovers". They are willing to try, even though they might fail. Puffs are the kind of people who put the needs of others before their own.

Ravenclaw: What is reasonable?
Ravenclaws tend to reason out the world. They often look at the world as though they were an outside observer.
Anyone can be smart or articulate. What sets a Ravenclaw apart is the desire to learn. While most people regard knowledge as a means to achieve a goal, to a Ravenclaw the knowledge is the goal. This does not mean that Ravenclaws all like to study and do homework all the time. Look for people who have a sense of curiosity and common sense.

Slytherin: What is best?
Slytherins like to look at the world in terms of quality. They like to have the best, whether it is their career, their friends, or their possessions.
The desire for the best in all things is what gives Slytherins their ambition. They will try their hardest to be the top in everything, even if it means stepping on a few toes. However, few Slytherins are actually evil, and even fewer would be blatant in their applications.

Muggles:
Muggles are the kind of people who post applications without reading the rules. Think applications typed in caps lock with no space bar. Think applications that sprinkle house keywords into every answer. Muggles are the kind of people who don't take our community seriously, so they deserve nothing less but the same in return.

No Vote:
Sometimes people write really nice applications, but just don't give you enough information for sorting. You should never sort someone into a house just to sort them. It is not fair to that person, and it is really unfair to the house into which you place them. In these instances, let the person know why they have not been sorted. Chances are, they will elaborate on their answers or fix their application.

--Destiny, Gryffindor.

[kraftyhorse.livejournal.com]

I created bases for icons for each house. The idea is for the person to put their doll picture in the empty portion of the icon, like my icon. I wrote out three main traits for each house, and concluded every icon with the ironic but unifying trait every house has, pride. I tried to size the words so they would not be lost behind the doll, but the system may not be perfect. Hopefully this works, they are all *.gifs, so they should be animated.

Contest Submission: Distinguishing the Houses

[mustbecrazy.livejournal.com]

Doesn't quite work in the comment box, but you've seen the original with the appropriate formatting. It's divided into two parts as it doesn't fit in one box.

Maya * Gryffindor
***

Gryffindor
Sorting Hat's Descritption:
Founder: Godric Gryffindor
Current Head of House: Professor Minerva McGonagall
Head Boy and Head Girl (as of Book 5): Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger
House Colors: Red and gold
Resident Ghost: Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas deMimsy-Porpington)
Talisman: Lion
Known for: Courage, passion, outspokenness
Famous Members: Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid, the Mauraders (James Potter, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew), Moaning Myrtle, members of the Weasley family (Arthur, Molly, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, and George, etc.)
Current students: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Colin Creevey, Dennis Creevey, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, Lee Jordan, Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown, Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasley, Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Natalie McDonald

Hufflepuff
Sorting Hat's Description: These belong in Hufflepuff,/ Where they are just and loyal./ Those patient Hufflepuffs are true/ And unafraid of toil.
Founder: Helga Hufflepuff
Current Head of House: Professor Sprout
House Colors: Yellow and black
Resident Ghost: The Fat Friar
Talisman: Badger
Known for: Compassion, work ethic, loyalty
Famous members: We know less about historically famous members of Hufflepuff, but Cedric Diggory, now deceased (B4, GoF), was a member.
Current Students: Susan Bones, Justin Flinch-Fletchley, Ernie MacMillan, Hannah Abbot, Owen Cauldwell, Eleanor Branstone, Kevin Whitby, xx Stebbins (first name unknown)

Ravenclaw
Sorting Hat's Description: Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw/ If you've a ready mind/ Where those of wit and learning/ Will always find their kind.
Founder: Rowena Ravenclaw
Current Head of House: Professor Flitwick
House Colors: Blue and bronze
Resident Ghost: Gray Lady
Talisman: Eagle
Known for: Intelligence, pursuit of knowledge
Famous members: We know less about historically famous members of Ravenclaw.
Current students: Terry Boot, Stewart Ackerly, Orla Quirke, Padma Patil, Lisa Turpin, ? Fawcett, Mandy Brocklehurst, Cho Chang, also Penelope Clearwater (now graduated, former girlfriend of Percy Weasley)

Slytherin
Sorting Hat's Description: Or perhaps in Slytherin/ You'll make your real friends/ Those cunning folk use any means/To achieve their ends.
Founder: Salazar Slytherin (gifted in Parseltongue, the ability to speak with snakes)
Current Head of House: Severus Snape
House Colors: Green and and silver
Resident Ghost: Bloody Baron
Talisman: Serpent
Known for: Cunning, subtlety, ambition, connections in the Ministry of Magic via Lucius Malfoy, cultivating Death Eaters
Famous Members: Lucius Malfoy and family, Bellatrix LeStrange, Narcissa Black (and members of the House of Black), Tom Marvolo Riddle (Voldemort) - and - Marcus Flint, Terence Higgs, xx Bletchly (first name unknown), Peter Warrington.
Current students: Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Millicent Bulstrode, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Malcolm Baddock, Graham Pritchard

... to be continued...

Contest Submission: Distinguishing the Houses (Part II of II)

[mustbecrazy.livejournal.com]

... (continued from previous) ...

Maya * Gryffindor
***
Our favorite J.K. Rowling speaking on the subject of the Sorting Hat says, "The character you might be most surprised to see evolve is none other than the Sorting Hat. "There is more to the Sorting Hat than what you have read about in the first three books," Rowling says. "Readers will find out what the Sorting Hat becomes as they get into future books." (Source (http://www.infoplease.com/spot/harrypotter1.html))

Further Reading (My sources for this post):
* The Canon (obviously) by J.K. Rowling
* H-P Lexicon (www.hp-lexicon.org/), specifically here (www.hp-lexicon.org/hogwarts/sorting_hat.html) (Click on the House names in the song)
* Mugglenet (www.mugglenet.com)

Song of the Sorting Hat from Harry Potter and the Socerer's (Philosopher's) Stone (pp. 117-118).
Oh you may not think me pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!

[chellemod.livejournal.com]

I know the deadline was on Friday, but due to LJ's database crash, I couldn't submit mine until now. Sorry if this creates any problems. I at least wanted to submit them though because I worked quite hard on them. I have .psds saved of all of these so I change anything that might need tweaking to liking, etc. If desired, I can also add a watermark so these can't be taken from the community. Without further ado:









Also, if there is ever opportunity to help with the graphics design portion of this site, I'd love to help out! :)

Thanks again!

-Chelle of Slytherin.

[shayuko.livejournal.com]

Often I'm torn between two houses when reading an application, so here's an essay kinda thing about the main differences between the houses. Or well, the way I see it :)


Slytherin-Gryffinor
A Gryffindor can be rash and quick to judge at times, while a Slytherin is constantly weighing options, thinking his actions through carefully. Outbursts like the ones Harry had during Umbridges classes would never happen to a Slytherin.
While Gryffindors and Slytherins can both have quite a temper, a Slytherin can control himself much better. Did you ever see a Slytherin start a fight? No. Yet Arthur, Neville, Hermione, Fred and Harry all let their emotions get the best of them at one point which resulted in them punching a Slytherin.

Slytherin-Ravenclaw
While to a Ravenclaw knowledge is a goal, to a Slytherin it is a tool he can use to realize his ambitions.
Ravenclaw wit is often mistaken for Slytherin snarkiness (which I don't even think is a Slytherin trait, but I won't go into that right now). There's a difference between being witty and being snarky. Witty is Ravenclaw, snarky is not.

Slytherin-Hufflepuff
While a Slytherin will use 'all means' to realize his ambitions, a Hufflepuff will draw the line at the point where he would interfere with someone elses happiness. A Slytherin is loyal to his close friends, his family and those who have earned his respect. A Hufflepuff can be naively loyal to anyone who hasn't *lost* his respect. A Slytherin chooses his friends with care, while a Hufflepuff will welcome anyone; the more the merrier!

Gryffindor-Hufflepuff
Gryffindors usually enjoy being in the spotlights, while Hufflepuffs may like it on occasion, but don't really care about it. A Gryffindor is very passionate about his beliefs and will speak his mind whenever given the opportunity which makes it hard for him to get back on their words and can make them quite stubborn (Hermione, SPEW) Hufflepuffs are a bit more down to earth and know when to keep their mouth shut in order to keep the peace.
Gryffindors like to be leaders, while Hufflepuffs will do it when needed but won't really jump up and down going 'Pick me!!'

Ravenclaw-Hufflepuff
Hufflepuffs are team players. 'All for one, and one for all' which is not the Ravenclaw way. It's not that they can't have a lot of friends, it's just that there's more of a 'every man for himself' spirit.
Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs may both work very hard for school, but a Ravenclaw does it because he wants to learn, while a Hufflepuff does it because of his hardworking nature and he's trying to reach whatever goal he set.

Ravenclaw-Gryffindor
The Hermione-issue. Gryffindors can obviously be intelligent, as can all houses, but again: to a Ravenclaw knowledge and learning is a goal. Hermione uses her knowledge to prove something. To prove that even though she's muggle-born she's as good a witch as any. I don't think she has a thirst for knowledge, she has a thirst to be best. Which is Gryffish.
Also, a huge difference between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor in my view is the mind-heart difference. Ravenclaws are analytical people, while Gryffindors are passionate and emotional.



-Marije, Hufflepuff

[caustique.livejournal.com]

   The Sorting Hat gives us a few tips for sorting, but they are rather general. Bravery, loyalty, cunning, and intelligence; these are all things that each person often possesses a bit of. So how do we tell which house to place someone in?

   First, we should narrow down the obvious answers. If this person has a lot of bravery, courage, and pride, they could be a choice for Gryffindor. Consider only these major traits at first. If you see them, leave Gryffindor as a choice. If you don't, rule Gryffindor out.

Then move on to Hufflepuff. If this person has a lot of loyalty, and makes an effort to work hard, they could be a choice for Hufflepuff. If you don't see that in them, they are probably not meant for that house, and you can rule it out.

   Next, let's ponder Slytherin. If you notice in this person a need to be the best, or in other words, a lot of ambition, they might be meant for Slytherin. If you see a great deal of cunning, and the ability to find a way out of any situation, you might also consider them for this House. If not, you should rule that choice out.

   Finally, Ravenclaw. If this person tends to make an effort to write and speak intelligently, they probably have a good placement in Ravenclaw. If not, rule that house out.


   If this settles your choice, that is fine and dandy; but most often, it doesn't. If you find yourself struggling even the littlest bit between two or more houses, you should next try these traits:

   Gryffindor - Rash speaking, opinionated answers, and the need to protect (not necessarly ALWAYS through love, but sometimes through a sense of justice). Most people carry these traits at some time, but Gryffindors tend to have them moreso than others. If you see these traits in someone's application, it's likely that you will see them again. Consider having those three traits as a pointer towards the Red and Gold House.

   Hufflepuff - A need for equality, and the desire to see every man/woman/creature get what they need or want. Pity, kindness, and a need to protect the ones they love. These traits shine for Hufflepuffs, more than for any other house. Consider them when making a choice.

   Slytherin - A desire for power, loyalty to those who are needed and are loyal to them (i.e. protecting your own), and the need to be seen as the best. Most people consider Slytherins to also be snarky and sarcastic, but sometimes that is not always the case; and looking for those traits in an application can lead you to sort someone who is most likely faking into the Slytherin house. Most of all, look for the strong desire for power, and the ambition that courses through all they do.

   Ravenclaw - Wit, valuing knowledge and study, and perhaps, the desire to be alone once in a while. You can often tell a Ravenclaw just by the way they talk, since they are likely to always be able to structure their sentences well. However, going off of someone's knowledge is not always best. Sometimes, you need to debate on all of the traits of the other houses first, since a true Ravenclaw is always hard to find. For example, look at Hermione. She has every trait for a Ravenclaw, but since she values bravery and friendship above all else - even though it isn't always noticeable - she was put in Gryffindor. Most often, you need to run through all the choices for the other houses before making a choice for Ravenclaw. If you have, however, done so already, you should check a person for the traits listed.


   As we all know, sometimes sorting can be extremely hard. I doubt even this essay can help to the extent that I want it to. All anyone can say is "rely on your heart." More often than not, you will have a "gut instinct," and often times, it is a good one. If you're down to your last choice, have gone through all the traits, and have nothing else to do; listen to that "gut instinct." Often times, it knows more than your mind does.


- Caitlyn, Gryffindor