Content Warnings - When should you use them?

[Nane]

This topic has been on my mind for a long while. Especially the 'strong language' warning.

Is it necessary to put it in your story's general page when you are going to use a few basic swear words via a rude character's speech? Or when it's not an essential part of the story, is it worth to scare off potential readers with a 'gore' tag?

So far, I've been putting short warnings in the beginning of individual chapters. I'm not sure if that violates any site rules... Any thoughts or advices?

 

[CupcakeNinja]

This topic has been on my mind for a long while. Especially the 'strong language' warning.

Is it necessary to put it in your story's general page when you are going to use a few basic swear words via a rude character's speech? Or when it's not an essential part of the story, is it worth to scare off potential readers with a 'gore' tag?

So far, I've been putting short warnings in the beginning of individual chapters. I'm not sure if that violates any site rules... Any thoughts or advices?

I dont see the point of warnings. They just break immersion and you can specifically turn on a Content Warning button at any time in your story and you can click options like gore, sexual content and strong language. Any or all of them. To let readers know before they even read the story that it contains one or all of those things. Just Edit your story

So I dont bother putting any warning of any kind withing a chapter.

I've never seen a hardcover book do that, so I wont either.

 

[Nane]

I dont see the point of warnings. They just break immersion and you can specifically turn on a Content Warning button at any time in your story and you can click options like gore, sexual content and strong language. Any or all of them. To let readers know before they even read the story that it contains one or all of those things. Just Edit your story

So I dont bother putting any warning of any kind withing a chapter.

I've never seen a hardcover book do that, so I wont either.

Is it necessary to turn them on for one scene though?

 

[Cipiteca396]

Is it necessary to turn them on for one scene though?

Yes. If they're in the book you need the warnings.

The reason to add a content warning to an individual chapter is if you're writing something that isn't covered by those labels. Things that might traumatize your readers.

 

[CupcakeNinja]

Is it necessary to turn them on for one scene though?

Yes, just don't add the warning within the chapter themselves. Might just be me, but seems unprofessional. Going into your story, people should already know to expect some kind of strong language or sexual content. Even if it's just in one scene

 

[Nane]

I see. Thank you all. Guess I'll edit my story..

 

[Amok]

I have them up entire story and haven't even planned the scenes that involve some of the stuff warned bout. If i did it chapter for chapter, i feel I'll be spoiling stuff for the reader: "OH, MC has just entered a dungeon, and next chapter has gore warning, so a fight's gonna happen."

More so with mature scenes, where at times the entire point is building up slowly to a certain scene, leaving readers in suspense as to when or how... with chapter labels, the suspense seems lost. my opinion I guess.

 

[Nane]

Now that I think about it, I think I got the idea of using chapter warnings from Ao3... Didn't know they weren't as common on Scribble Hub.

I have them up entire story and haven't even planned the scenes that involve some of the stuff warned bout. If i did it chapter for chapter, i feel I'll be spoiling stuff for the reader: "OH, MC has just entered a dungeon, and next chapter has gore warning, so a fight's gonna happen."

More so with mature scenes, where at times the entire point is building up slowly to a certain scene, leaving readers in suspense as to when or how... with chapter labels, the suspense seems lost. my opinion I guess.

That's a very good reason.

 

[GodlessEmperor]

I've also been curious about when to use content warnings.
Do I need to select the strong language warning if I only have a few "fuck"s and "shit"s? Or is it about actually strong language?
Do I need to select the sexual content warning when I 1. lightly hint someone had sex? 2. strongly hint someone had sex? 3. mention someone had sex? or 4. only when I actually describe the sex-scenes?

 

[Nane]

I've also been curious about when to use content warnings.
Do I need to select the strong language warning if I only have a few "fuck"s and "shit"s? Or is it about actually strong language?
Do I need to select the sexual content warning when I 1. lightly hint someone had sex? 2. strongly hint someone had sex? 3. mention someone had sex? or 4. only when I actually describe the sex-scenes?

Exactly!
I decided to put the warnings anyway, it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Daitengu]

I've also been curious about when to use content warnings.
Do I need to select the strong language warning if I only have a few "fuck"s and "shit"s? Or is it about actually strong language?
Do I need to select the sexual content warning when I 1. lightly hint someone had sex? 2. strongly hint someone had sex? 3. mention someone had sex? or 4. only when I actually describe the sex-scenes?

I'd say 4 for tagging sexual content.

1. Shows up in kid shows and movies.
2 & 3. Tend to be tagged "suggested sexual situations" in movie warnings

Similar with the gore tag. A lot of authors over sell gore tags. Gotta be PG-13 or R to get a gore tag imo.

Even one fuck gets a language warning in movies.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

I put them in just in case.