The MOTS Scale

The MOTS Scale is our unique system, invented and perfected by the members of The Lost Signals, to guide and inform our reviews.

MOTS stands for: The Manczur-Ormosi-Thurlow Scale of qualitative analysis of pop culture narrative through a binary system. (or MOTS!) 

Following are the 10 questions that comprise MOTS and the manner in which we conduct reviews. All answers are based on a (subjective) 1/0, Yes/No scale. Throughout the podcasts we expound upon each of our answers, but the entire exercise could theoretically be done through 1/0 responses only.

The below is the current iteration. Earlier casts use a slightly different variation, which you can find lower on this page. 

  1. Effectiveness/impression of the overall plot of the work (3pts) [Formerly we divided this question into 3 sub-sections for introduction, body, and conclusion. However they are now condensed into a single question worth a total of the aforementioned 3 pts]
  2. Themes contained and addressed in the work (1pt)
  3. Strength and use of antagonist/s in the work (1pt)
  4. Strength and use of protagonist/s in the work (1pt)
  5. Strength and use of secondary/supporting cast in the work (1pt)
  6. Strength and use of dialogue in the work (1pt)
  7. The style of the work as related to its specific medium (1pt)
  8. Overall recommendation and final impression of the work (1pt)

Some early/older works utilize this first version of  the MOTS Scale: 

  1. The initial hook-Does the work have an arresting introduction? (Y=1/N=0)
  2. Was the work tonally consistent throughout? (Y=1/N=0)
  3. Was the work effective within its genre, addressing its themes etc. well? (Y=1/N=0)
  4. Did the work achieve its goal(s) by its end? (Y=1/N=0)
  5. Was the antagonist effective/appropriate/memorable? (Y=1/N=0)
  6. Were the main character(s) effective/appropriate/memorable? (Y=1/N=0)
  7. Was the supporting cast effective/appropriate/memorable? (Y=1/N=0)
  8. Was the dialogue effective/appropriate/memorable? (Y=1/N=0)
  9. Did the work maintain an acceptable level of immersion? (Y=1/N=0)
  10. Overall, was the work enjoyable, is it recommended? (Y=1/N=0)