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Bulbapedia:Manual of style (view source)

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==Keeping continuity with existing style==
==Keeping continuity with existing style==
The manual of style attempts to provide general guidelines for Bulbapedia's preferred style. It cannot address every possible style dispute, and some styles or conventions may be established across Bulbapedia without being formally defined in the manual of style. When a style is established (e.g. used across multiple pages), or where two styles are used interchangeably, a style should not be changed without a good reason. If you want to discuss using an alternate style, please use an article's Talk Page or discuss on the manual of style talk page if an edit is needed to the manual of style to reconcile differing styles.
The manual of style attempts to provide general guidelines for Bulbapedia's preferred style. It cannot address every possible style dispute, and some styles or conventions may be established across Bulbapedia without being formally defined in the manual of style. When a style is established (e.g. used across multiple pages), it should not be changed without a good reason. If you want to discuss using an alternate style, please use an article's talk page.


==General style guidance==
==General style guidance==
This section deals with the general writing style across Bulbapedia. For guidance using wikicode, see [[Bulbapedia:Wikicode|Bulbapedia's Wikicode page.]]
This section deals with the general writing style across Bulbapedia. For guidance using wikicode, see [[Bulbapedia:Wikicode|Bulbapedia's Wikicode page.]]


===Article titles===
===Article titles===
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===Opening line===
===Opening line===
The full name of the subject of an article should appear within the first few words of the article itself. Alternate and popular names may be included anywhere afterwards. For song, episode, and movie titles, the "full name" that should appear first should ''translated'', not romanized if it is not English.
The full name of the subject of an article should appear within the first few words of the article itself. Alternate and popular names may be included anywhere afterwards. For song, episode, and movie titles, the "full name" that should appear first should be ''translated'', not romanized if it is not English.


If the subject originates from a non-English language (Japanese, for the great majority of Pokémon subjects), then the subject's original name should be included immediately after the Anglicized name in parentheses. If the subject has not officially been given any name in English, then only the parenthesized original name should be included along with a romanization if necessary. For Pokémon names, the [[List of Japanese Pokémon names|trademarked romanization]] should be used in the parenthetical. Names besides English and the original language should not be included in the opening line, but rather later in the article, preferably in a section titled ''In other languages'' near the bottom with only ''Related articles'' and ''External links'' following after.
If the subject originates from a non-English language (Japanese, for the great majority of Pokémon subjects), then the subject's original name should be included immediately after the Anglicized name in parentheses. If the subject has not officially been given any name in English, then only the parenthesized original name should be included along with a romanization if necessary. For Pokémon names, the [[List of Japanese Pokémon names|trademarked romanization]] should be used in the parenthetical. Names besides English and the original language should not be included in the opening line, but rather later in the article, preferably in a section titled ''In other languages'' near the bottom with only ''Related articles'' and ''External links'' following after.
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: '''Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka''' (Japanese: '''田中宏和''' but usually credited in hiragana only) is a Japanese composer and musician, born on December 13, 1957, best known for creating or co-creating various video games by [[Nintendo]].
: '''Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka''' (Japanese: '''田中宏和''' but usually credited in hiragana only) is a Japanese composer and musician, born on December 13, 1957, best known for creating or co-creating various video games by [[Nintendo]].
; [[Hiromoto SIN-Ichi]]
; [[Hiromoto SIN-Ichi]]
: '''Hiromoto SIN-Ichi''' (Japanese: '''ヒロモト森一''' ''Hiromoto Shin'ichi'') is a manga artist, born on January 4, 1966.  
: '''Hiromoto SIN-Ichi''' (Japanese: '''ヒロモト森一''' ''Hiromoto Shin'ichi'') is a manga artist, born on January 4, 1966.
; [[Professor Oak]]
; [[Professor Oak]]
: '''Professor Samuel Oak''' (Japanese: '''オーキド・ユキナリ博士''' ''Dr. Yukinari Ohkido'') is a [[Pokémon Professor]] who lives and works at his [[Professor Oak's Laboratory|research lab]] in [[Pallet Town]] of the [[Kanto]] region.
: '''Professor Samuel Oak''' (Japanese: '''オーキド・ユキナリ博士''' ''Dr. Yukinari Ohkido'') is a [[Pokémon Professor]] who lives and works at his [[Professor Oak's Laboratory|research lab]] in [[Pallet Town]] of the [[Kanto]] region.
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Check for spelling and grammatical errors before saving changes to a page; if you notice factual or spelling errors on a page other than the ones you have created, please correct the problems, as Bulbapedia is an open project.
Check for spelling and grammatical errors before saving changes to a page; if you notice factual or spelling errors on a page other than the ones you have created, please correct the problems, as Bulbapedia is an open project.


In order to avoid disagreements over factual accuracy, it is best to cite sources for controversial statements. If presenting one point of view, it is best to also present a contrasting opinion with it. 
Overall, as a wiki, Bulbapedia's content should focus on being informative and avoid opinions. As a rule, random opinions from the fandom, even if fairly widespread (such as, say, Charmander is the worst of the original starters), are not notable. If there's no "point" to mentioning an opinion—if it's only mentioned "because" and it illuminates nothing else—then it doesn't belong.
 
This policy does not prohibit Bulbapedia from including differing opinions where they exist in the fandom or the games.  However, Bulbapedia does not take a stand on these differences or elevate one point of view over another.


===Names of people===
===Names of people===
All modern persons should have their names given in Western order. Since the definition of "modern" may vary from culture to culture, for the Japanese, all names from the [[wp:Taishō period|Taishō period]] onwards should be given in Western order. Names from the [[wp:Meiji restoration|Meiji restoration]] may be given in Western or Eastern order -- use prevailing convention on a person-by-person basis. Names prior to the Meiji restoration should be given in Eastern order.
All modern persons should have their names given in Western order: first name first, last name second. Since the definition of "modern" may vary from culture to culture, for the Japanese, all names from the [[wp:Taishō period|Taishō period]] onward should be given in Western order. Names from the [[wp:Meiji restoration|Meiji restoration]] may be given in Western or Eastern order—use prevailing convention on a person-by-person basis. Names prior to the Meiji restoration should be given in Eastern order.


When a person has a specific preference for the way their name is rendered, or where convention differs, use that instead. For example, use [[Hiromoto SIN-Ichi]], [[Ikue Ohtani]], and [[Rica Matsumoto]], instead of Shin'ichi Hiromoto, Ikue Ōtani, and Rika Matsumoto.
When a person has a specific preference for the way their name is rendered, or where convention differs, use that instead. For example, use [[Hiromoto SIN-Ichi]], [[Ikue Ohtani]], and [[Rica Matsumoto]], instead of Shin'ichi Hiromoto, Ikue Ōtani, and Rika Matsumoto.


===Disambiguation===
===Disambiguation===
The bracketed terms used to disambiguate articles with titles that would otherwise be the same should be a single short word and lowercase, except when proper nouns are involved. The following are commonly used:
When two subjects would have the same article title, a disambiguating term is added to the end of the title for at least one of the pages. A single short word is preferred for these terms. The term should also be in sentence case (i.e. lowercase unless it would be capitalized in a sentence).
 
In some cases, a disambiguating term is used for all pages of the same type, such as Pokémon and moves. Common disambiguations have templates to make linking them easier. A sample of these follows:
; Pokémon
; Pokémon
: An article for a general species of Pokémon, for example, [[Bulbasaur (Pokémon)]]. Short link: {{Template|p}}
: An article for a general species of Pokémon, for example, [[Bulbasaur (Pokémon)]]. Short link: {{Template|p}}
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===General formatting guidance===
===General formatting guidance===
* For backgrounds and templates, obtrusively bright colors should be avoided. Generally, Bulbapedia style favors pastels, particularly green, blue, or gray, depending on the content.
* For backgrounds and templates, obtrusively bright colors should be avoided. Generally, Bulbapedia's style favors pastels, particularly green, blue, or gray, depending on the content.
* Smaller tables are generally considered better, assuming they still have adequate information. Even little things, such as a thin 1px border, are preferred to large borders.
* Smaller tables are generally considered better, assuming they still have adequate information. Even little details can matter: a thin, 1px border is preferred over a large border.
* When listing a TM or HM as an item, make use of the {{template|TM}} or {{template|HM}} templates, written as <code><nowiki>{{TM|50|Overheat}}</nowiki></code> for {{TM|50|Overheat}} and <code><nowiki>{{HM|08|Dive}}</nowiki></code> for {{HM|08|Dive}}.
* When listing a TM or HM as an item, make use of the {{template|TM}} or {{template|HM}} templates, written as <code><nowiki>{{TM|50|Overheat}}</nowiki></code> for {{TM|50|Overheat}} and <code><nowiki>{{HM|08|Dive}}</nowiki></code> for {{HM|08|Dive}}.
* {{cat|Navigation templates}} should aspire to be as useful as possible, not as large as possible. Navigation templates do not need to be exhaustive to be useful.
* {{cat|Navigation templates}} should aspire to be as useful as possible, not as large as possible. Navigation templates do not need to be exhaustive to be useful.
*Unless there is a specific reason to order them otherwise, lists of Pokémon should be sorted according to their [[National Pokédex]] number.
* Unless there is a specific reason to order them otherwise, lists of Pokémon should be sorted according to their [[National Pokédex]] number.


==Pokémon franchise terminology==
==Pokémon franchise terminology==
When addressing franchise topics, wiki links should be as specific as possible. References to "the anime" should link to the page "[[Pokémon anime]]"; topics for the game should either link to that game's [[generation]] or the specific game page. Linking to general pages such as "anime", "games", or "manga" is incorrect.  
When addressing franchise topics, wiki links should be as specific as possible. References to "the anime" should link to the page "[[Pokémon anime]]"; topics for the game should either link to that game's [[generation]] or to the specific game page. Linking to general pages such as "anime", "games", or "manga" is incorrect.


===The é and other special characters===
===The é and other special characters===
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Some specific naming conventions include:
Some specific naming conventions include:
* Evolutionary levels should be designated as "unevolved," "first evolution," and "second evolution" for Pokémon that have undergone zero, one, and two evolutions respectively during their development. The TCG terminology of "basic Pokémon," "stage 1 Pokémon" and "stage 2 Pokémon" are not used outside of the TCG pages.  
* Evolutionary levels should be designated as "unevolved," "first evolution," and "second evolution" for Pokémon that have undergone zero, one, and two evolutions respectively during their development. The TCG terminology of "basic Pokémon," "stage 1 Pokémon" and "stage 2 Pokémon" are not used outside of the TCG pages.
** For example, in the TCG {{p|Pikachu}} and several other Pokémon are considered Basic Pokémon, but have a pre-evolved form, making them first-evolution Pokémon. This discrepancy typically applies to evolutionary families that include a [[baby Pokémon]].
** For example, in the TCG {{p|Pikachu}} and several other Pokémon are considered Basic Pokémon, but have a pre-evolved form, making them first-evolution Pokémon. This discrepancy typically applies to evolutionary families that include a [[baby Pokémon]].
* When writing episode or chapter names, write them as <code><nowiki>''[[Episode code|Episode name]]''</nowiki></code>; for example, the fifth episode of the [[original series]] is ''[[EP005|Showdown in Pewter City]]''.
* When writing episode or chapter names, write them as <code><nowiki>''[[Episode code|Episode name]]''</nowiki></code>; for example, the fifth episode of the [[original series]] is ''[[EP005|Showdown in Pewter City]]''.
** Note only English titles are used in this way otherwise the episode or chapter code is used, such as in [[XYS06]].
** Note only English titles are used in this way otherwise the episode or chapter code is used, such as in [[XYS06]].
* When multiple numbered [[route]]s are to be listed, they should be listed in numerical order, and only the first should have any prefix to it; for example, "{{p|Jigglypuff}} appears on [[Route]]s {{rtn|3|Kanto}}, {{rtn|4|Kanto}}, {{rtn|5|Kanto}}, {{rtn|6|Kanto}}, {{rtn|7|Kanto}}, {{rtn|8|Kanto}}, {{rtn|34|Johto}}, {{rtn|35|Johto}}, and {{rtn|115|Hoenn}}, depending on the [[Core series|version]] played" is preferred to "{{p|Jigglypuff}} appears on {{rt|3|Kanto}}, {{rt|4|Kanto}}, {{rt|5|Kanto}}, {{rt|6|Kanto}}, {{rt|7|Kanto}}, {{rt|8|Kanto}}, {{rt|34|Johto}}, {{rt|35|Johto}}, and {{rt|115|Hoenn}} depending on the [[Core series|version]] played". The {{cat|Link templates|link template}} {{template|rtn}} can be used for handily linking route numbers.
* When multiple numbered [[route]]s are to be listed, they should be listed in numerical order, and only the first should have any prefix to it; for example, "{{p|Jigglypuff}} appears on [[Route]]s {{rtn|3|Kanto}}, {{rtn|4|Kanto}}, {{rtn|5|Kanto}}, {{rtn|6|Kanto}}, {{rtn|7|Kanto}}, {{rtn|8|Kanto}}, {{rtn|34|Johto}}, {{rtn|35|Johto}}, and {{rtn|115|Hoenn}}, depending on the [[Core series|version]] played" is preferred to "{{p|Jigglypuff}} appears on {{rt|3|Kanto}}, {{rt|4|Kanto}}, {{rt|5|Kanto}}, {{rt|6|Kanto}}, {{rt|7|Kanto}}, {{rt|8|Kanto}}, {{rt|34|Johto}}, {{rt|35|Johto}}, and {{rt|115|Hoenn}} depending on the [[Core series|version]] played". The {{cat|Link templates|link template}} {{template|rtn}} can be used for handily linking route numbers.
Please note that Bulbapedia's former style, naming articles based on whichever name (Japanese or English) a character was most "well known by," is no longer accepted.


===Types===
===Types===
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''For further details, please see the [[a:Archives:Manual of style|Archives manual of style]]''
''For further details, please see the [[a:Archives:Manual of style|Archives manual of style]]''


Images are often a helpful visual addition to the content of articles. 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. These are some brief guidelines about what kinds of images should be used.
* If there is official artwork, such as the Sugimori stock artwork or video game sprites, this is always the preferred image.
* If there is official artwork, such as the Sugimori stock artwork or video game sprites, this is always the preferred primary 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.
* If there is no official artwork, images captured by contributors should be used—images should never be taken from ''non-official'' sites. There will inevitably be disputes about which user-captured image is best; while there's no exact set of rules to resolve such conflicts, the main considerations should be using the highest quality and most informative image.
* Animated images should be avoided proportionately with how large and distracting the animation is. Small uses, such as a blinking dot on a world map to indicate location, are non-obtrusive and acceptable.
* Animated images should be avoided proportionately with how large and distracting the animation is. Small uses, such as a blinking dot on a world map to indicate location, are non-obtrusive and acceptable.
* Overwriting existing images is acceptable, since Bulbapedia 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 Bulbapedia favors the image with the higher quality, not the greater seniority. However, please try to avoid disputes by discussing the change with the user who uploaded the former image ''before'' uploading the new image.


===Videos (including YouTube)===
===Videos (including YouTube)===
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===An important note about Wikipedia content===
===An important note about Wikipedia content===
No matter how similar the two may be, ''Bulbapedia and Wikipedia do not have compatible licenses.'' Therefore, for legal reasons as well as those of style, Bulbapedia does not allow articles to be copied directly from Wikipedia. Note that while in the past articles were started with Wikipedia content, this approach is not allowed under current policy.
No matter how similar the two may be, ''Bulbapedia and Wikipedia do not have compatible licenses.'' Therefore, for legal reasons as well as those of style, Bulbapedia does not allow articles to be copied directly from Wikipedia. Note that while in the past articles were started with Wikipedia content, this approach is not allowed under current policy.
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