Since the beginning of modern roleplaying, many roleplaying games include or provide a “GM Screen” keeping commonly referenced rules and tables in the Guide's field of view.

However, many guides quickly outgrow these and use them only for shielding the view of their notes.

Recently, GM screens with updateable panels and laptops or tables with browser tabs open to notes have supplanted the traditional GM Screen.

Despite the updates, the goal remains the same:

What does the Guide need to run a session successfully?

Each Guide likely brings their own answer which they develop and refine over time.

Mentally picture a custom “GM Screen” for the upcoming session.

What should be on it?

Chronology recommends blending System rules, Campaign Setting, and the immediate upcoming Story for the session into an evergreen “Guide's Playsheet”.

Update a custom “GM Screen” with just needed information for the upcoming session.

If there are rarely used System rules expected to come into play, include those for quick reference.

Gather all of the Campaign Setting game pieces expected to come into play such as Locations, NPCs, Monsters, Items and Treasure.

Organize the System rules and Campaign Setting game pieces into a possible Session outline of how the story may unfold.

☐ DRAMATIC QUESTION
What problem confronts the Adventurers?
What stakes, or consequences of failure, could drive the Adventurers?
What costly choices face the Adventurers?

☐ LOCATIONS

☐ OPPONENTS
Who opposes the Adventurers, blocking progress toward their Goal this session?

☐ TREASURES AND REWARDS

☐ OPENING ACT

• Transition from previous sessions
• First impressions and setting the scene

☐ RISING CHALLENGES

• Discoveries
• False goals
• True goal
• Hazards
• Obstacles
• Traps
• Dangers
• Any special rules to refresh on?

☐ CLIMACTIC ENCOUNTER

• Any special rules to refresh on?
• Opening moves
• Opponents strategy or goal
• Opponents Tactics
• Retreat conditions
• Surrender conditions

☐ DENOUEMENT

• Rewards
• Revelations
• Next Steps
• Cliffhanger transition to next session

Johnn Four of RoleplayingTips.com has excellent “GM Cheat Sheet” suggestions such as the 5-Room Dungeon Canvas and 5-Room Dungeon Template for Campaign Logger.

Patrons and subscribers to Roleplaying Tips should refer to those resources for greater inspiration.

The following Roleplaying Tips archive entries may provide further inspiration for Guide Playsheet items to include:
Roleplaying Tips #0178 - 5 Post-Session Player and Campaign Development Tips
Roleplaying Tips #0198 - The Session Checklist: Ingredients To A Successful Game Session Part I
Roleplaying Tips #0199 - The Session Checklist: Ingredients To A Successful Game Session Part II
Roleplaying Tips #0266 - A Guide To Session Notes
Roleplaying Tips #0284 - Blogging Your Game Sessions
Roleplaying Tips #0352 - Know Your Players - Building Your Session Checklist
Roleplaying Tips #0358 - Know Your Players Part 2 - Building Your Session Checklist
Roleplaying Tips #0441 - Reduce Session Cancellations with an On-Call Player
Roleplaying Tips #0537 - Minis In Sessions - 20 Tips (Tactical and Story)
Roleplaying Tips #0581 - The First 15 - A Key GM Technique For Great Game Sessions
Roleplaying Tips #0608 - Session-Ender Narration Tool
Roleplaying Tips #0703 - GMing Your First Game Session - d12 Tips
Roleplaying Tips #0714 - Panicked Prep for Next Session
Roleplaying Tips #0737 - Explosive Session Starts Part 1: The Cajun Spice List
Roleplaying Tips #0738 - Explosive Session Starts Part II: Stakes and Consequences
Roleplaying Tips #0740 - Explosive Session Starts Part III: The Encounter Pyramid
Roleplaying Tips #0743 - What Should You Do With First Sessions?
Roleplaying Tips #0772 - GMing Your First Game Session - d12 Tips
Roleplaying Tips #0780 - Mad Lib Template for Hook, Line, & Sinkers
Roleplaying Tips #0811 - Do This Now Every Session For Easy World Building
Roleplaying Tips #0916 - A Quick Tip On Session Prep
Roleplaying Tips #0897 - A Three Part Quest Template
Roleplaying Tips #0959 - Two Fun Ways To Add Games To Your Sessions
Roleplaying Tips #0985 - Fix Session Problems Before Game Day By Doing This Simple Exercise
Roleplaying Tips #1022 - How Do Your Pace Game Sessions Well?
Roleplaying Tips #1025 - Get Into Gamespace Faster With A Good Session Warm-Up
Roleplaying Tips #1032 - d6 Ways To Spice Up Next Session
Roleplaying Tips #1061 - 3 Quick Tips For Taking Session Notes
Roleplaying Tips #1082 - 3 Tips For Better Sessions
Roleplaying Tips #1083 - A Simple But Effective Adventure Template
Roleplaying Tips #1087 - Better Session Kick-Offs -- The Warm Up Trick
Roleplaying Tips #1094 - Checklist: Compelling Session Alerts
Roleplaying Tips #1100 - Unpack Last Session To Loopy Plan Next Game
Roleplaying Tips #1127 - How To Help New Players Have A Blast With Their First Session
Roleplaying Tips #1144 - 7 Ways To Improve Virtual And Online Game Sessions
Roleplaying Tips #1172 - 9 Ways To Prep For Sessions Faster
Roleplaying Tips #1174 - Visual Aid Session Prep With The Five Room Dungeon
Roleplaying Tips #1176 - How To Start Every Session With A Bang!
Roleplaying Tips #1185 - How Can You Take Fast Notes During Sessions?
Roleplaying Tips #1197 - 3 Ways Your Players Can Help You Out Next Session
Roleplaying Tips #1206 - d6 Tips For A Player's First Session
Roleplaying Tips #1215 - How To Create Engaging Session Recaps To Get Players Ready To Play

▲ Chronology :: ◢ References: Resolution