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Bulbanews:Manual of style: Difference between revisions
Made some changes. Check out the naming conventions section in particular.
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==Basic wikicode== | ==Basic wikicode== | ||
In addition to writing articles with factual, useful and relevant information backed up by reliable sources, Bulbanews contributors are expected to demonstrate fluency in the English language and a basic understanding of {{wp|Wikitext|wikicode}}. Some of the most commonly used aspects of wikicode are listed below. Should you forget, above the text editors for articles are a row of buttons with many common wikicode attributes. | |||
* Text formatting: To make text bold, put three apostrophes on either side of it, such as <code><nowiki>'''Bulbanews'''</nowiki></code>. This will result in '''Bulbanews'''. | * '''Text formatting:''' To make text bold, put three apostrophes on either side of it, such as <code><nowiki>'''Bulbanews'''</nowiki></code>. This will result in '''Bulbanews'''. However, bold text is mostly for any names or facts which need a very large amount of emphasis. For a normal emphasis (such as translations of Japanese text), it is common style to put text in italics, which is done with two apostrophes instead of three, such as <code><nowiki>''Bulbanews''</nowiki></code>. This will result in ''Bulbanews''. Use your judgment and follow precedent as to when bold or italics are appropriate. | ||
* Links: Whenever something is referenced in an article | * '''Links:''' Whenever something is referenced in an article that has its own article on {{bp|Bulbapedia}}, be sure to link to it. This is done by putting two brackets, a vertical pipe and the letters '''bp''' on either side of a word. For example, <code><nowiki>{{bp|Pokémon}}</nowiki></code> will result in {{bp|Pokémon}}. However, sometimes there's no way to use the exact name of an article in a sentence without the sentence being awkwardly worded. In these instances, to have different text display than the article's name, put vertical pipes between '''bp''', the article's name and the text you would like to display. For example, <code><nowiki>{{bp|Pokémon|Pocket Monsters}}</nowiki></code> will result in {{bp|Pokémon|Pocket Monsters}}, which you may notice links to the ''Pokémon'' article. | ||
** Short links: There are several quick links which are not only useful, but common style. For example, when linking to a Pokémon article, typing <code><nowiki>{{p|Pikachu}}</nowiki></code> results in {{p|Pikachu}}, which you may notice links to the article ''Pikachu (Pokémon)'' on Bulbapedia. Another quick link is <code><nowiki>{{m|Splash}}</nowiki></code> for the move {{m|Splash}}, for example. | ** '''Short links:''' There are several quick links which are not only useful, but common style. For example, when linking to a Pokémon article, typing <code><nowiki>{{p|Pikachu}}</nowiki></code> results in {{p|Pikachu}}, which you may notice links to the article ''Pikachu (Pokémon)'' on Bulbapedia. Another quick link is <code><nowiki>{{m|Splash}}</nowiki></code> for the move {{m|Splash}}, for example. | ||
**External links: Other links can be done with using a single bracket. In this instance, a vertical line is not necessary to divide the name from the link. However, the full address is needed to link to a page. For example, to link to the Bulbagarden | **'''External links:''' Other links can be done with using a single bracket. In this instance, a vertical line is not necessary to divide the name from the link. However, the full address is needed to link to a page. For example, to link to the Bulbagarden Forums, typing <code><nowiki>[http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/index.php Bulbagarden Forums]</nowiki></code> would result in [http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/index.php Bulbagarden Forums]. External links are primarily used to cite sources and to link to any related Web sites. | ||
*** | ***'''Do not''' use any links or templates in an article's blurb. It will mess up the [[Front page]] and {{bp|User:BulbaBot|Bulbabot}}. | ||
* [[Image:001Bulbasaur.png|thumb|100px|Bulbasaur]] Images: Images are added in a manner similar to links. To add | * [[Image:001Bulbasaur.png|thumb|100px|Bulbasaur]] '''Images:''' Images are added in a manner similar to links. To add an image, link to the image's name, but add '''Image:''' before the name. For example, <code><nowiki>[[Image:Pokébuck sign.gif]]</nowiki></code> will add in a commonly used image, [[Image:Pokébuck sign.gif]]. Formatting attributes can be added to an image as well, divided with vertical lines. For example, <nowiki>[[Image:001Bulbasaur.png|thumb|100px|Bulbasaur]]</nowiki> will add the image to the right. All images are uploaded to [http://archives.bulbagarden.net Bulbagarden Archives]. | ||
**If the image is for some reason hosted elsewhere, just insert the image's link. For example, entering <code><nowiki>http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Encyclopika/Bulbasaur.jpg</nowiki></code> would result in the image showing. | **If the image is for some reason hosted elsewhere, just insert the image's link. For example, entering <code><nowiki>http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y114/Encyclopika/Bulbasaur.jpg</nowiki></code> would result in the image showing. Do not link to images that do not belong to you or that you do not have permission to use. | ||
* Headlines: These are not to be confused with traditional news article headlines. Wiki articles are divided by levels of headlines, much like a large outline. These are indicated by equals signs on either side of the headline text. There are six levels of headlines, with one equals sign being the first and highest level, which would look like <code><nowiki>=Headline text=</nowiki></code>, and six equals signs being the sixth and lowest level, which would look like <code><nowiki>======Headline text======</nowiki></code>. First and second level headlines are underlined. Text size decreases with lower level headlines. | * '''Headlines:''' These are not to be confused with traditional news article headlines. Wiki articles are divided by levels of headlines, much like a large outline. These are indicated by equals signs on either side of the headline text. There are six levels of headlines, with one equals sign being the first and highest level, which would look like <code><nowiki>=Headline text=</nowiki></code>, and six equals signs being the sixth and lowest level, which would look like <code><nowiki>======Headline text======</nowiki></code>. First- and second-level headlines are underlined. Text size decreases with lower level headlines. | ||
==Naming conventions== | ==Naming conventions== | ||
Bulbanews ideally uses character names appropriate to their context. Articles about English-language releases should | Bulbanews ideally uses character names appropriate to their context and in a way that is understandable by English-language readers. | ||
* Articles about English-language releases and anime episodes and movies should always use English character names. | |||
* Articles about Japanese-language game and other merchandise releases should use English character names unless the original Japanese names are for some reason necessary for the translation to make sense. | |||
* Articles about the Japanese-language anime series should use the original Japanese character names. Viewers of the Japanese-language series should already be familiar with, and in many cases prefer, the names as they are used in the original language. The exception also eliminates any confusion readers may have about where and in what language episodes are set to air. | |||
* Character names in other languages are rarely used on Bulbanews, but they should be translated to English. However, accompany the translated name with the original name in parenthesis. | |||
Linking to the Bulbapedia articles that correspond with Pokémon-related names is especially important when Japanese names are used (such as in episode titles). Readers who are unfamiliar with Japanese names may hover their cursors over Bulbapedia links to see a name's English equivalent in the link's URL, or they may click the link to obtain more information. | |||
Linking to the Bulbapedia articles that correspond with Pokémon-related names is especially important when Japanese names are used. Readers who are unfamiliar with Japanese names may hover their cursors over Bulbapedia links to see a name's English equivalent in the link's URL, or they may click the link to obtain more information. | |||
===Names of people=== | ===Names of people=== | ||
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==Japanese== | ==Japanese== | ||
===Romanization=== | ===Romanization=== | ||
Primarily, if a trademarked romanization is available, that is the proper romanization to use. | Primarily, if a trademarked romanization is available, that is the proper romanization to use. For example, ''{{tt|Fushigisou|Ivysaur}}'', ''{{tt|Teppouo|Remoraid}}'' insetad of ''Fushigisō'' and ''Teppōo''. | ||
However, if a trademarked romanization is not available, please follow the Hepburn romanization scheme, and use '''Ā Ē Ī Ō Ū ā ē ī ō ū''' for long vowels. Please correct any incorrectly marked long vowels (circumflexes, tildes, doubling, '''ou''' and not marking long vowels at all are all not acceptable). | However, if a trademarked romanization is not available, please follow the Hepburn romanization scheme, and use '''Ā Ē Ī Ō Ū ā ē ī ō ū''' for long vowels. Please correct any incorrectly marked long vowels (circumflexes, tildes, doubling, '''ou''' and not marking long vowels at all are all not acceptable). | ||
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Images are often a helpful visual addition to the content of articles. They give additional context and attract readers. However, in some cases, it is questionable what images are best used for articles. | Images are often a helpful visual addition to the content of articles. They give additional context and attract readers. However, in some cases, it is questionable what images are best used for articles. | ||
* If there is official artwork, such as the {{bp|Ken Sugimori}} stock artwork or video game sprites, this is always the preferred image. These images can usually be found in the Archives categories for each Pokémon or character. For example, Sugimori artwork of Bulbasaur could be found by accessing [http://archives.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Category:Bulbasaur Category:Bulbasaur] on the Archives. | * If there is official artwork, such as the {{bp|Ken Sugimori}} stock artwork, anime stock artwork or video game sprites, this is always the preferred image. These images can usually be found in the Archives categories for each Pokémon or character. For example, Sugimori artwork of Bulbasaur could be found by accessing [http://archives.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Category:Bulbasaur Category:Bulbasaur] on the Archives. | ||
* If there is no official artwork, such as screenshots from episodes or manga, ones created by the contributing user are preferred over images taken from other sources. There will inevitably be disputes about which user-created image is best, as there is no exact policy on such; however, the image should generally be the highest quality and most informative image. | * If there is no official artwork, such as screenshots from episodes or manga, ones created by the contributing user are preferred over images taken from other sources. There will inevitably be disputes about which user-created image is best, as there is no exact policy on such; however, the image should generally be the highest quality and most informative image. | ||
* Overwriting existing images is acceptable, since Bulbanews favors the image with the higher quality, not the greater seniority. However, please avoid disputes by discussing the change with the user who uploaded the former image ''before'' uploading the new image. | * Overwriting existing images is acceptable, since Bulbanews favors the image with the higher quality, not the greater seniority. However, please avoid disputes by discussing the change with the user who uploaded the former image ''before'' uploading the new image. | ||
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* A blurb consists of the first several sentences of your story, quickly informing the reader the "who, what, where, when and why" of your story. It is your lead in most cases. | * A blurb consists of the first several sentences of your story, quickly informing the reader the "who, what, where, when and why" of your story. It is your lead in most cases. | ||
* Use Bulbapedia links as often as they are appropriate (most of the time). Wikipedia links are helpful for unfamiliar, non-Pokémon terms. | * Use Bulbapedia links as often as they are appropriate (most of the time). Wikipedia links are helpful for unfamiliar, non-Pokémon terms. | ||
* Avoid exclamation points | * Avoid exclamation points, and never use one in a serious news article. | ||
* We are not held accountable to any sort of corporation, such as Nintendo or Game Freak. We are not their cheerleaders or advertisers. It is one matter to inform the public of a new product of interest, but quite another to tout its benefits or provide links to where the readers can purchase it. | * We are not held accountable to any sort of corporation, such as Nintendo or Game Freak. We are not their cheerleaders or advertisers. It is one matter to inform the public of a new product of interest, but quite another to tout its benefits or provide links to where the readers can purchase it. | ||
==Spelling and capitalization== | ==Spelling and capitalization== | ||
* "Toward" and related words, such as "afterward," "forward" and "backward" do not have an '''s'''. | * "Toward" and related words, such as "afterward," "forward" and "backward," do not have an '''s'''. | ||
* A specific named unit is all capitals, such as "Saffron Pokémon Center." If more than one are used, the specific names are capitalized but not the common word; for example: "Saffron and Celadon Pokémon centers." | * A specific named unit is all capitals, such as "Saffron Pokémon Center." If more than one are used, the specific names are capitalized but not the common word; for example: "Saffron and Celadon Pokémon centers." | ||
* Numbers, including years, simply need an '''s''' without an apostrophe when they are plural; for example: "in the 1990s" and "He is in his 20s." | * Numbers, including years, simply need an '''s''' without an apostrophe when they are plural; for example: "in the 1990s" and "He is in his 20s." | ||
* Likewise, fully capitalized acronyms and abbreviations do not require the apostrophe in plural usage; for example: "CDs and DVDs." The exceptions to this rule are fully capitalized acronyms and abbreviations that consist of one character: "He got all A's" is the correct form in this case. | * Likewise, fully capitalized acronyms and abbreviations do not require the apostrophe in plural usage; for example: "CDs and DVDs." The exceptions to this rule are fully capitalized acronyms and abbreviations that consist of one character: "He got all A's" is the correct form in this case. | ||
* Titles ahead of a name are capitalized, such as "Frontier Brain {{bp|Noland}}." Put a long title in back of a name (making it lowercase). If it is a job description, it is always lowercase, such as "trainer {{bp|Ash Ketchum}}." | * Titles ahead of a name are capitalized, such as "Frontier Brain {{bp|Noland}}." Put a long title in back of a name (making it lowercase). If it is a job description, it is always lowercase, such as "trainer {{bp|Ash Ketchum}}." | ||
* Hourly times do not use 0's (5 p.m., not 5:00 PM) and the a.m. and p.m. are written lowercase with periods. Use "noon" or "midnight" instead of "12." | * Hourly times do not use 0's (5 p.m., not 5:00 PM) and the a.m. and p.m. are written lowercase with periods. Use "noon" or "midnight" instead of "12." | ||
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* It is ''Wii'', not ''the Wii'', and not ''Nintendo Wii''. However, ''Nintendo DS'' is correct style. | * It is ''Wii'', not ''the Wii'', and not ''Nintendo Wii''. However, ''Nintendo DS'' is correct style. | ||
* Also, you have six Pokémon in your party, not 6 Pokémons; you have four Bulbasaur, not 4 Bulbasaurs. | * Also, you have six Pokémon in your party, not 6 Pokémons; you have four Bulbasaur, not 4 Bulbasaurs. | ||
* This website is ''Bulba'''n'''ews'', not ''Bulba'''N'''ews''. This style applies for all of the Bulbagarden | * This website is ''Bulba'''n'''ews'', not ''Bulba'''N'''ews''. This style applies for all of the Bulbagarden Web sites. | ||
==Punctuation== | ==Punctuation== | ||
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==Usage== | ==Usage== | ||
* Nine and below are spelled out, whereas 10 and above are written as numbers, including ordinals such as "first" and "11th." | * Nine and below are spelled out, whereas 10 and above are written as numbers, including ordinals such as "first" and "11th." | ||
** Exceptions are numerous, including ages, dimensions and addresses, all of which use numerals. Avoid starting sentences with numbers, but when it is unavoidable, spell them out, even those 10 and above. The only exceptions to this rule are years. | ** Exceptions are numerous, including ages, dimensions and addresses, all of which use numerals. Avoid starting sentences with numbers, but when it is unavoidable, spell them out, even those 10 and above. The only exceptions to this rule are years. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* Some guidelines were adapted | * Some guidelines were adapted from Nils Rosdahl's ''Notes on News Style''. | ||
==External resources== | ==External resources== | ||