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FamilySearch Wiki:Manual of Style: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Book-copy-1-.jpg|right|130x117px|Book-copy-1-.jpg]]A '''wiki''' '''manual of style''' (or style guide) is a set of standards for designing and | [[Image:Book-copy-1-.jpg|right|130x117px|Book-copy-1-.jpg]]A '''wiki''' '''manual of style''' (or style guide) is a set of standards for designing and writing wiki articles. The guide provides direction for visual and technical aspects, prose style, best usage, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and fairness. The consistent use of the style guidelines provides uniformity in style and formatting of wiki articles, which makes the articles easier for readers to understand and use. | ||
== General Principles == | == General Principles == | ||
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'''Complete sentences.''' Write with complete sentences (sentences that contain a subject and verb). Complete sentences are easier to understand, especially if English is not a user’s native language. The command form (which has an implied subject) is considered a complete sentence. | '''Complete sentences.''' Write with complete sentences (sentences that contain a subject and verb). Complete sentences are easier to understand, especially if English is not a user’s native language. The command form (which has an implied subject) is considered a complete sentence. | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|The parish kept the records from 1770 to 1932.}} | ::{{xt|The parish kept the records from 1770 to 1932.}} | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|The information can be found in the [[Family History Library Catalog]].}} | ::{{xt|The information can be found in the [[Family History Library Catalog]].}} | ||
:;Incorrect | :;Incorrect | ||
::{{!xt|Not bad.}} | ::{{!xt|Not bad.}} | ||
'''Shorter sentences that express one idea.''' As much as possible, write with shorter sentences that express one idea. They are easier to understand, especially if English is not a user’s native language. | '''Shorter sentences that express one idea.''' As much as possible, write with shorter sentences that express one idea. They are easier to understand, especially if English is not a user’s native language. | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|This is an index to some birth and christening records from Arizona. The records cover 1909 through 1917. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.}} | ::{{xt|This is an index to some birth and christening records from Arizona. The records cover 1909 through 1917. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.}} | ||
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'''Not using “he or she.”''' As much as possible, avoid using “he or she” and “his or hers” (for example, “He or she can use the index to find his or her ancestor’s record quickly”). Do not use the plural pronoun “they” to replace “he or she.” Often, the problem can be solved by rewriting the sentence. | '''Not using “he or she.”''' As much as possible, avoid using “he or she” and “his or hers” (for example, “He or she can use the index to find his or her ancestor’s record quickly”). Do not use the plural pronoun “they” to replace “he or she.” Often, the problem can be solved by rewriting the sentence. | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|When users find an ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family.}} | ::{{xt|When users find an ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family.}} | ||
:;Incorrect | :;Incorrect | ||
::{{!xt|When a user finds his or her ancestor’s family in the census, he or she should copy all the information for the family.}} | ::{{!xt|When a user finds his or her ancestor’s family in the census, he or she should copy all the information for the family.}} | ||
:;Incorrect | :;Incorrect | ||
::{{!xt|When a user finds their ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family.}} | ::{{!xt|When a user finds their ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family.}} | ||
'''Avoiding unclear “antecedents.”''' A pronoun represents to the last noun used before the pronoun. For clarity, pronouns should be used correctly. If needed, rewrite the sentence or repeat the noun. <br> Correct: Ancestors who fought in the U.S. Civil War may be listed in the U.S. Civil War pension records. | '''Avoiding unclear “antecedents.”''' A pronoun represents to the last noun used before the pronoun. For clarity, pronouns should be used correctly. If needed, rewrite the sentence or repeat the noun. <br> Correct: Ancestors who fought in the U.S. Civil War may be listed in the U.S. Civil War pension records. | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|If ancestors of the users fought in the U.S. Civil War, users may find the ancestors’ records in the U.S. Civil War pension records.}} | ::{{xt|If ancestors of the users fought in the U.S. Civil War, users may find the ancestors’ records in the U.S. Civil War pension records.}} | ||
:;Incorrect | :;Incorrect | ||
::{{!xt|If the ancestors fought in the U.S. Civil War, they may find their records in the U.S. Civil War pension records.}} (Here “they” is meant to represent users, but “they” would mean “the ancestors.”) | ::{{!xt|If the ancestors fought in the U.S. Civil War, they may find their records in the U.S. Civil War pension records.}} (Here “they” is meant to represent users, but “they” would mean “the ancestors.”) | ||
'''Avoiding “we” and “I.”''' Contributors should not use “we” or “I” to refer to themselves and others in the wiki community. | '''Avoiding “we” and “I.”''' Contributors should not use “we” or “I” to refer to themselves and others in the wiki community. | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|If there are differing opinions about information in an article, the opinions can be added to the Discussion page to get input from the wiki community.}} | ::{{xt|If there are differing opinions about information in an article, the opinions can be added to the Discussion page to get input from the wiki community.}} | ||
:;Incorrect | :;Incorrect | ||
::{{!xt|If there are differing opinions about information in an article, we want the opinions added to the Discussion page to get input from the wiki community.}} | ::{{!xt|If there are differing opinions about information in an article, we want the opinions added to the Discussion page to get input from the wiki community.}} | ||
'''Ampersand (&).''' Do not replace the word “and” with an ampersand (&). | '''Ampersand (&).''' Do not replace the word “and” with an ampersand (&). | ||
:;Exception | :;Exception | ||
::If the ampersand is part of an official name, use the ampersand. | ::If the ampersand is part of an official name, use the ampersand. | ||
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'''Commas.''' Commas are frequently used at the end of introductory phrases and to separate the items in a list. In a list, a comma may either be used before “and” or left out. Whatever style is chosen by the original contributor should be maintained throughout the article. | '''Commas.''' Commas are frequently used at the end of introductory phrases and to separate the items in a list. In a list, a comma may either be used before “and” or left out. Whatever style is chosen by the original contributor should be maintained throughout the article. | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|At that time, immigrants from Eastern Europe either sailed directly to the United States or changed ships in Liverpool, England, before sailing to the United States.}} | ::{{xt|At that time, immigrants from Eastern Europe either sailed directly to the United States or changed ships in Liverpool, England, before sailing to the United States.}} | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|This collection includes birth, death, and marriage records.}} | ::{{xt|This collection includes birth, death, and marriage records.}} | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|This collection includes birth, death and marriage records.}} | ::{{xt|This collection includes birth, death and marriage records.}} | ||
'''Commas with places.''' When a place is listed, each jurisdiction (governmental divisions such as country, province, state, county, and so on) is separated by a comma. In a sentence, a comma also comes after the final jurisdiction unless it ends the sentence. | '''Commas with places.''' When a place is listed, each jurisdiction (governmental divisions such as country, province, state, county, and so on) is separated by a comma. In a sentence, a comma also comes after the final jurisdiction unless it ends the sentence. | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|Bannow, County Wexford, Ireland}} | ::{{xt|Bannow, County Wexford, Ireland}} | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|He was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, in an area that is now part of LaRue County, Kentucky.}} | ::{{xt|He was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, in an area that is now part of LaRue County, Kentucky.}} | ||
:;Incorrect | :;Incorrect | ||
::{{!xt|Bannow County Wexford}} | ::{{!xt|Bannow County Wexford}} | ||
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'''Punctuation within quotation marks.''' English-speaking areas follow differing guidelines for adding punctuation within quotation marks (for example, whether the period is placed within or outside of the final quotation mark). When editing, contributors should follow the existing style in the article. | '''Punctuation within quotation marks.''' English-speaking areas follow differing guidelines for adding punctuation within quotation marks (for example, whether the period is placed within or outside of the final quotation mark). When editing, contributors should follow the existing style in the article. | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|Lincoln began the Gettysburg address by referring to the Revolutionary War, which occurred “Four score and seven years ago.”}} | ::{{xt|Lincoln began the Gettysburg address by referring to the Revolutionary War, which occurred “Four score and seven years ago.”}} | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|Lincoln began the Gettysburg address by referring to the Revolutionary War, which occurred “Four score and seven years ago”.}} | ::{{xt|Lincoln began the Gettysburg address by referring to the Revolutionary War, which occurred “Four score and seven years ago”.}} | ||
'''Ampersand.''' Do not replace the word “and” with an ampersand (&). | '''Ampersand.''' Do not replace the word “and” with an ampersand (&). | ||
:;Exception | :;Exception | ||
::If the ampersand is part of an official name, use the ampersand. | ::If the ampersand is part of an official name, use the ampersand. | ||
'''And/or. '''Do not use “and/or.” Rewrite the sentence, or use just one word. If items are frequently together, use “and.” If items are seldom together, use “or.” | '''And/or. '''Do not use “and/or.” Rewrite the sentence, or use just one word. If items are frequently together, use “and.” If items are seldom together, use “or.” | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|Each record has a death and burial date.}} | ::{{xt|Each record has a death and burial date.}} | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|Each record has a death or burial date. Some records have both dates.}} | ::{{xt|Each record has a death or burial date. Some records have both dates.}} | ||
:;Incorrect | :;Incorrect | ||
::{{!xt|Each record has a death and/or burial date.}} | ::{{!xt|Each record has a death and/or burial date.}} | ||
'''Using a slash (/) between two years.''' Do not use a slash between two years unless you are writing an actual double date (see guideline 15.8). Use the word “or.” | '''Using a slash (/) between two years.''' Do not use a slash between two years unless you are writing an actual double date (see guideline 15.8). Use the word “or.” | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|In 1530 or 1531, the parish boundaries were changed.}} | ::{{xt|In 1530 or 1531, the parish boundaries were changed.}} | ||
:;Incorrect | :;Incorrect | ||
::{{!xt|In 1530/1531, the parish boundaries were changed.}} | ::{{!xt|In 1530/1531, the parish boundaries were changed.}} | ||
'''Parentheses and brackets.''' Use parentheses ( ) around explanatory or alternate information. If the information in parentheses is a complete sentence, the period goes within the final parenthesis. (This sentence would be an example.) Use brackets [ ] to indicate words in a quote that have been altered from the original. | '''Parentheses and brackets.''' Use parentheses ( ) around explanatory or alternate information. If the information in parentheses is a complete sentence, the period goes within the final parenthesis. (This sentence would be an example.) Use brackets [ ] to indicate words in a quote that have been altered from the original. | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|10 Vendémiaire IX (2 October 1800)}} | ::{{xt|10 Vendémiaire IX (2 October 1800)}} | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|“All men [and women] are created equal.”}} | ::{{xt|“All men [and women] are created equal.”}} | ||
:;Incorrect | :;Incorrect | ||
::{{!xt|10 Vendémiaire IX [2 October 1800]}} | ::{{!xt|10 Vendémiaire IX [2 October 1800]}} | ||
'''Quotation marks.''' Use double quotation marks around quotes and titles of articles rather than single quotation marks. | '''Quotation marks.''' Use double quotation marks around quotes and titles of articles rather than single quotation marks. | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|For more information about these records, see “Australia Census.”}} | ::{{xt|For more information about these records, see “Australia Census.”}} | ||
:;Incorrect | :;Incorrect | ||
::{{!xt|For more information about these records, see ‘Australia Census.’}} | ::{{!xt|For more information about these records, see ‘Australia Census.’}} | ||
'''The “#” symbol for the word “number.”''' The symbol “#” does not represent the word “number” in all cultures. Instead of “#”, use “number,” “No.,” or reword the sentence. | '''The “#” symbol for the word “number.”''' The symbol “#” does not represent the word “number” in all cultures. Instead of “#”, use “number,” “No.,” or reword the sentence. | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|The number 1 cause of war deaths was disease.}} | ::{{xt|The number 1 cause of war deaths was disease.}} | ||
:;Incorrect | :;Incorrect | ||
::{{!xt|The #1 cause of war deaths was disease.}} | ::{{!xt|The #1 cause of war deaths was disease.}} | ||
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'''Articles, buttons, or tabs.''' When referring to an article, button, or tab name, use the capitalization from the article title, button or tab. | '''Articles, buttons, or tabs.''' When referring to an article, button, or tab name, use the capitalization from the article title, button or tab. | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|If another style guideline is needed, list the issue on the Discussion page.}} | ::{{xt|If another style guideline is needed, list the issue on the Discussion page.}} | ||
:;Incorrect | :;Incorrect | ||
::{{!xt|If another style guideline is needed, list the issue on the discussion page.}} | ::{{!xt|If another style guideline is needed, list the issue on the discussion page.}} | ||
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<br> '''Places.''' Capitalize the word “city,” “county,” “state,” or “province” only when the word appears as part of a place name. Do not capitalize the word city, county, state, or province when it is not part of the place name. | <br> '''Places.''' Capitalize the word “city,” “county,” “state,” or “province” only when the word appears as part of a place name. Do not capitalize the word city, county, state, or province when it is not part of the place name. | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|Salt Lake City, Los Angeles County, Quebec Province}} | ::{{xt|Salt Lake City, Los Angeles County, Quebec Province}} | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|city of Boston, state of New York}} | ::{{xt|city of Boston, state of New York}} | ||
:;Incorrect | :;Incorrect | ||
::{{!xt|City of Boston, Province of Alberta}} | ::{{!xt|City of Boston, Province of Alberta}} | ||