Welcome to the Mastermind Season 9 Results Thread! Please note that the judges have only graded submissions that were submitted to the SUBMISSION thread before the deadline. All graded submissions are accompanied with constructive feedback below in the comments section.
RESULTS
Congratulations to Chris Langan for receiving the highest average with a score of 93 out of 100!
Congratulations to Stepan and M-Moya for receiving the second and third highest averages with scores 86 and 82 out of 100, respectively!
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Please keep in mind that the judge(s) have assigned grades based on the following marking criteria:
Once again, congratulations to Chris Langan on winning this season!
Thank you to everyone for participating in this season and we hope that you will come back for future seasons scheduled once every few months!
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Chris
The formal, serious tone immediately establishes the gravity of the situation and suits the brief. The formal register does however make the two contractions in paragraphs 2 ("doesn't") and 3 ("aren't") a bit jarring; maintaining a consistently formal style would be best.
Reclaiming the planet name is powerful and the description of Carbora, using multiple senses, is evocative.
Initially, the speech feels extremely calm and diplomatic - perhaps overly so. The appeals to reason and morality, while well-structured, do not seem persuasive and come across as overly idealistic given the audience is motivated by power, control, or self-interest. However, because of this, I was NOT expecting the bioterrorism/mass sterilization weapon twist - the sharp contrast works very well and is highly impactful. The moral ambiguity of the situation is interesting. The fruit turning from an act of hospitality to an act of bioterrorism is a great reveal. Good job!
It would be good to know, even briefly, what the faster-than-light (not "faster than light" when it is a compound adjective) technology offers, as it would help contextualize the Council’s motives and why it is so invested in withholding it. E.g. does it provide military/economic superiority or another form of leverage?
Overall, the payoff was excellent, and it is clear that the details were well thought out and deliberate.
Creativity and Originality: 28/30
Structure and Organisation: 24/25
Engagement and Impact: 24/25
Grammar and Spelling: 8/10
Prompt Adherence: 9/10
Total: 93/100