When I was asked to write an article about role play, I didn’t know even where to begin. So I thought maybe the first thing was to look up the actual definition of the term. The Oxford English Dictionary offers a definition of role-playing as "the changing of one's behavior to fulfill a social role". And while that is technically correct, I think what is really important is how to engage in role play (RP) that is fun and satisfying.
Generally in Second life, when in the process of RP, you are going to be engaged in the active creation and development of a common story. Both (or more) parties are all involved in the same plot, and each creates their own perspective of the evolving story.
There are a couple of techniques to contributing your portion of the story line. And how you elect to do so is of personal choice. The only thing that I think is important is that everyone operates using the same technique.
The first is my preference but I have been in RP that utilized the other, and for the sake of the development of the story, I used the technique that was preferred by the majority of the players. It would be uncommon that you would ask prior to starting your RP that you would ask “what style of RP do you use?” but shortly after it starts you would be able to discern which technique it is.
So the first one is more flowing, it is short one to two sentences that you can describe your action or reaction. Your thoughts, your emotions, even your feelings (pain, pleasure, etc.)
The other approach is to write extended paragraphs. It is done by turn, first one person, then the other. Within each paragraph you can develop great detail of the setting, your feelings and emotions and your actions or reactions.
by Danni