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FamilySearch Wiki:Talk Page Guidelines (view source)

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Nearly every page on FamilySearch Research Wiki also has a '''talk page''' (also known as a '''discussion page'''). A talk page is a space for editors to discuss improvements to articles and other pages. Talk pages are named the same as their associated pages, the only difference being that they have "Talk:" before their name.  
Nearly every page on FamilySearch Research Wiki also has a '''Talk page'''. A Talk page is a space for editors to discuss improvements to articles and other pages. Talk pages are named the same as their associated pages, the only difference being that they have "Talk:" before their name.  


When writing on a talk page, certain approaches are counter-productive, while others facilitate good editing. The prime values of the talk page are communication, courtesy and consideration. The following list is designed to help the contributor use talk pages effectively.  
When writing on a Talk page, certain approaches are counter-productive, while others facilitate good editing. The prime values of the Talk page are communication, courtesy and consideration. The following list is designed to help the contributor use talk pages effectively.  


{{Wikipedia|Wikipedia:Talk page}}  
{{Wikipedia|Wikipedia:Talk page}}  
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=== Maintain policy ===
=== Maintain policy ===


The policies that apply to articles apply also (if not to the same extent) to talk pages, including [[FamilySearch Wiki:Verifiable|verification]] and [[FamilySearch Wiki:NPOV|neutral point of view]] policies. There is of course some reasonable allowance for speculation, suggestion and personal knowledge on talk pages, with a view to prompting further investigation, but it is usually a misuse of a talk page to continue to argue any point that has not met policy requirements.  
The policies that apply to articles apply also (if not to the same extent) to Talk pages, including [[FamilySearch Wiki:Verifiable|verification]] and [[FamilySearch Wiki:NPOV|neutral point of view]] policies. There is of course some reasonable allowance for speculation, suggestion and personal knowledge on Talk pages, with a view to prompting further investigation, but it is usually a misuse of a Talk page to continue to argue any point that has not met policy requirements.  


=== How to use article talk pages ===
=== How to use article Talk pages ===


*<span id="communicate" />'''Communicate''': If in doubt, make the extra effort so that other people understand you, and you get a proper understanding of others. Being friendly is a great help. It is always a good idea to explain your views; it is less helpful for you to voice an opinion on something and not explain why. Explaining an opinion helps in convincing others and reaching consensus.  
*<span id="communicate" />'''Communicate''': If in doubt, make the extra effort so that other people understand you, and you get a proper understanding of others. Being friendly is a great help. It is always a good idea to explain your views; it is less helpful for you to voice an opinion on something and not explain why. Explaining an opinion helps in convincing others and reaching consensus.  
*<span id="topic" />'''Keep on topic''': Talk pages are for discussing the ''article'', not for general conversation about the article's subject (much less other subjects). Keep discussions on the topic of how to improve the associated article. Irrelevant discussions are subject to removal.  
*<span id="topic" />'''Keep on topic''': Talk pages are for discussing the ''article'', not for general conversation about the article's subject (much less other subjects). Keep discussions on the topic of how to improve the associated article. Irrelevant discussions are subject to removal.  
*<span id="positive" />'''Be positive''': Article talk pages should be used to discuss ways to improve an article; not to criticize, pick apart, or vent about the current status of an article or its subject. However, if you feel something is wrong, but are not sure how to fix it, then by all means feel free to draw attention to this and ask for suggestions from others.  
*<span id="positive" />'''Be positive''': Article Talk pages should be used to discuss ways to improve an article; not to criticize, pick apart, or vent about the current status of an article or its subject. However, if you feel something is wrong, but are not sure how to fix it, then by all means feel free to draw attention to this and ask for suggestions from others.  
*<span id="objective" />'''Stay objective''': Talk pages are not a forum for editors to argue their '''personal point of view''' about a controversial issue. They are a forum to discuss how the different '''points of view obtained from secondary sources''' should be included in the article, so that the end result is [[FamilySearch Wiki:NPOV|neutral and objective]] (which may mean including conflicting viewpoints). The best way to present a case is to find properly referenced material.  
*<span id="objective" />'''Stay objective''': Talk pages are not a forum for editors to argue their '''personal point of view''' about a controversial issue. They are a forum to discuss how the different '''points of view obtained from secondary sources''' should be included in the article, so that the end result is [[FamilySearch Wiki:NPOV|neutral and objective]] (which may mean including conflicting viewpoints). The best way to present a case is to find properly referenced material.  
*<span id="factual" />'''Deal with facts''': The talk page is the ideal place for all issues relating to [[FamilySearch Wiki:Verifiable|verification]]. This includes asking for help to find sources, comparing contradictory facts from different sources, and examining the reliability of references. Asking for a verifiable reference to support a statement is often better than arguing against it.  
*<span id="factual" />'''Deal with facts''': The Talk page is the ideal place for all issues relating to [[FamilySearch Wiki:Verifiable|verification]]. This includes asking for help to find sources, comparing contradictory facts from different sources, and examining the reliability of references. Asking for a verifiable reference to support a statement is often better than arguing against it.  
*<span id="sharing" />'''Share material''': The talk page can be used to store material from the article which has been removed because it is not verified, so that time can be given for references to be found. New material can sometimes be prepared on the talk page until it is ready to be put into the article.  
*<span id="sharing" />'''Share material''': The Talk page can be used to store material from the article which has been removed because it is not verified, so that time can be given for references to be found. New material can sometimes be prepared on the Talk page until it is ready to be put into the article.  
*<span id="discussion" />'''Discuss edits''': The talk page is particularly useful to talk about edits. If one of your edits has been reverted, and you change it back again, it is good practice to leave an explanation on the talk page and a note in the edit summary that you have done so. The talk page is also the place to ask about another editor's changes. If someone queries one of your edits, make sure you reply with a full, helpful rationale.  
*<span id="discussion" />'''Discuss edits''': The Talk page is particularly useful to talk about edits. If one of your edits has been reverted, and you change it back again, it is good practice to leave an explanation on the Talk page and a note in the edit summary that you have done so. The Talk page is also the place to ask about another editor's changes. If someone queries one of your edits, make sure you reply with a full, helpful rationale.  
*<span id="propose" />'''Make proposals''': New proposals for the article can be put forward for discussion by other editors if you wish. Proposals might include changes to specific details, page moves, merges or making a section of a long article into a separate article.
*<span id="propose" />'''Make proposals''': New proposals for the article can be put forward for discussion by other editors if you wish. Proposals might include changes to specific details, page moves, merges or making a section of a long article into a separate article.


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*<span />'''Keep discussions focused''': Discussions naturally should finalize by agreement, not by exhaustion.  
*<span />'''Keep discussions focused''': Discussions naturally should finalize by agreement, not by exhaustion.  
*<span id="archives" />'''{{wpd|WP:RTFA|Read the archives}}''': Many article talk pages contain links to archives, which contain earlier discussions. If you are a new editor to an article, be sure to read them, as they often deal with common content disputes and resolutions to them. You may well find your questions and/or objections have already been answered.  
*<span id="archives" />'''{{wpd|WP:RTFA|Read the archives}}''': Many article talk pages contain links to archives, which contain earlier discussions. If you are a new editor to an article, be sure to read them, as they often deal with common content disputes and resolutions to them. You may well find your questions and/or objections have already been answered.  
*<span id="english" />'''Use English''': No matter to whom you address a comment, it is preferred that you use English on talk pages in the English version of the wiki. This is so that comments may be comprehensible to the community at large. If the use of another language is unavoidable, try to also provide a translation of the comments. If you are requested to do so and cannot, you should either find a third party to translate.  
*<span id="english" />'''Use English''': No matter to whom you address a comment, it is preferred that you use English on Talk pages in the English version of the wiki. This is so that comments may be comprehensible to the community at large. If the use of another language is unavoidable, try to also provide a translation of the comments. If you are requested to do so and cannot, you should either find a third party to translate.  
*<span id="multi" />'''Centralized discussion:''' Avoid posting the same thread in multiple forums. This fragments discussion of the idea. Instead, start the discussion in one location, and, if needed, advertise that in other locations using a link. If you find a fragmented discussion, it may be desirable to move all posts to one location, and linking to it. Make sure you state clearly in edit summaries and on talk pages what you have done and why.  
*<span id="multi" />'''Centralized discussion:''' Avoid posting the same thread in multiple forums. This fragments discussion of the idea. Instead, start the discussion in one location, and, if needed, advertise that in other locations using a link. If you find a fragmented discussion, it may be desirable to move all posts to one location, and linking to it. Make sure you state clearly in edit summaries and on Talk pages what you have done and why.  
*<span id="welcoming" />'''Be welcoming to newcomers:''' People new to wiki may be unfamiliar with policy and conventions. [[FamilySearch Wiki:Be kind to newcomers|Be kind to newcomers]]. If someone does something against custom, [[FamilySearch Wiki:Assume good faith|assume it was an unwitting mistake]]. [[FamilySearch Wiki:Civility and Polite Discourse|Politely]] and gently point out their mistake, reference the relevant policy/guideline/help pages, and suggest a better approach.  
*<span id="welcoming" />'''Be welcoming to newcomers:''' People new to wiki may be unfamiliar with policy and conventions. [[FamilySearch Wiki:Be kind to newcomers|Be kind to newcomers]]. If someone does something against custom, [[FamilySearch Wiki:Assume good faith|assume it was an unwitting mistake]]. [[FamilySearch Wiki:Civility and Polite Discourse|Politely]] and gently point out their mistake, reference the relevant policy/guideline/help pages, and suggest a better approach.  
*<span id="contentnotcontrib" />'''[[FamilySearch Wiki:No personal attacks|Comment on content, not on the contributor]]''': Keep the discussions focused upon the topic of the talk page, rather than on the personalities of the editors contributing to the talk page.
*<span id="contentnotcontrib" />'''[[FamilySearch Wiki:No personal attacks|Comment on content, not on the contributor]]''': Keep the discussions focused upon the topic of the Talk page, rather than on the personalities of the editors contributing to the Talk page.


=== Behavior that is unacceptable ===
=== Behavior that is unacceptable ===
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*'''Do not impersonate other editors'''  
*'''Do not impersonate other editors'''  
*'''Do not claim to be an administrator or claim to have an [[FamilySearch Wiki:User access levels|access level]] that you do not have''', as this can be highly disruptive and may cause other editors trouble in the cleanup process. User access levels can be checked at [[Special:ListUsers]] by anyone.  
*'''Do not claim to be an administrator or claim to have an [[FamilySearch Wiki:User access levels|access level]] that you do not have''', as this can be highly disruptive and may cause other editors trouble in the cleanup process. User access levels can be checked at [[Special:ListUsers]] by anyone.  
*'''Do not use the talk page as a forum''' or soapbox for discussing the topic. The talk page is for discussing improving the article.
*'''Do not use the talk page as a forum''' or soapbox for discussing the topic. The Talk page is for discussing improving the article.


=== Editing comments  ===
=== Editing comments  ===
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==== Others' comments  ====
==== Others' comments  ====


It is not necessary to bring talk pages to publishing standards, so there is no need to correct typing/spelling errors, grammar, etc. It tends to irritate the users whose comments you are correcting. The basic rule is: '''Do not strike out or delete the comments of other editors without their permission.'''  
It is not necessary to bring Talk pages to publishing standards, so there is no need to correct typing/spelling errors, grammar, etc. It tends to irritate the users whose comments you are correcting. The basic rule is: '''Do not strike out or delete the comments of other editors without their permission.'''  


''Never'' edit someone's comment to change its meaning, <u>even on your own talk page</u>.  
''Never'' edit someone's comment to change its meaning, <u>even on your own Talk page</u>.  


Editing others' comments is sometimes allowed, but you should exercise caution in doing so. Some examples of appropriately editing others' comments:  
Editing others' comments is sometimes allowed, but you should exercise caution in doing so. Some examples of appropriately editing others' comments:  
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Substantially altering a comment after it has been replied to may deny the reply of its original context. It can also be confusing. Before you change your own comment, consider taking one of the following steps:  
Substantially altering a comment after it has been replied to may deny the reply of its original context. It can also be confusing. Before you change your own comment, consider taking one of the following steps:  


*Contact the person(s) who replied (through their talk page) and ask if it is okay to delete or change your text.  
*Contact the person(s) who replied (through their Talk page) and ask if it is okay to delete or change your text.  
*Use strike-through or a place-holder to show the comment has been altered.  
*Use strike-through or a place-holder to show the comment has been altered.  
**Strike-through is typed <nowiki><s>like this</s></nowiki> and ends up <s>like this</s>.  
**Strike-through is typed <nowiki><s>like this</s></nowiki> and ends up <s>like this</s>.  
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=== See also  ===
=== See also  ===


*[[Help:Talk pages]]
*[[Help:Talk Pages]]


{{Policies and guidelines}} {{Contributor help-navbox}}
{{Policies and guidelines}} {{Contributor help-navbox}}


[[Category:Help|Talk page]]
[[Category:Help|Talk page]]
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