The Sims Wiki:Manual of Style/proposed: Difference between revisions

The first time the article mentions the title, put it in bold using three apostrophes — <nowiki>'''article title'''</nowiki> produces '''article title'''. Avoid other uses of bold in the first sentence, except for alternative titles of an article; for example: '''''The Sims: Livin' Large''''', also called '''''The Sims: Livin' It Up''''' in the United Kingdom . . .

 

 

== Images ==

''To write.''

 

 

== Tables ==

''To write.''

 

== Links ==

''To write.''

 

*Use of the second person "you", which is often ambiguous and contrary to the tone of an encyclopedia, is discouraged. Instead, refer to the subject of the sentence or use the passive voice, for example do not write <span class="mosincorrect">"The game creates an invisible barrier which prevents you from entering the building. To correct this, you must go into build mode ..."</span> Instead write <span class="moscorrect">"The game creates an invisible barrier which prevents sims from entering the building. To correct this, the player must go into build mode ..."</span> Using "you" is acceptable in official descriptions.

*Be bold. If you know something is wrong, correct it. If you think you could word something better, write it. If an article has a glaring deficiency, fill it. Even if your first attempt isn't golden, you can fix it later or someone else will come along and fix it for you. Don't be afraid to screw up.

 

=== Writing about fiction ===

{{See also|Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Manual of Style (writing about fiction){{!}}Wikipedia:Manual of Style (writing about fiction)}}

 

* Avoid creating lists of trivia; instead, incorporate relevant information into the body of the article;

* The amount of copyrighted work used should be as little as possible.

 

=== Time references ===

Avoid statements that will age quickly, except on pages concerning current events which are frequently brought up to date. Avoid <span class="mosincorrect">recently</span>, <span class="mosincorrect">soon</span>, and <span class="mosincorrect">now</span> (unless their meaning is fixed by the context). Avoid relative terms like <span class="mosincorrect">currently</span> (usually redundant), <span class="mosincorrect">in modern times</span>, <span class="mosincorrect">is now considered</span>, and <span class="mosincorrect">is soon to be superseded</span>. Instead, use either:

 

<div class="highlight">

Since a wiki article must be as clear as possible for all the people reading it, editors must keep close to correct grammar and spelling standards to ensure clear communication.

=== Capitalization ===

 

Titles such as mayor or detective start with a capital letter when used as a title (followed by a name): <span class="moscorrect">Detective Dan D. Mann</span> not <span class="mosincorrect">detective Dan D. Mann</span>. When used generically, they should be in lower case: <span class="moscorrect">Dan is a detective.</span>

:''Incorrect (exception)'': <span class="mosincorrect">A community lot in ''The Urbz: Sims in the City'' is the Foundry.</span>

:''Correct (exception)'': <span class="moscorrect">A community lot in ''The Urbz: Sims in the City'' is The Foundry.</span>

=== Italics ===

 

Italics may be used sparingly to emphasize words in sentences (whereas boldface is normally not used for this purpose).

 

Italics are used for the titles of works, such as books and games. The titles of articles, chapters, and other short works are not italicized but are enclosed in double quotation marks. For example, italicize ''[[The Sims]]''.

=== Tense ===

Most articles should be described as facts, so use the present or future tenses. <span class="moscorrect">"The Gypsy matchmaker ''is'' in ''The Sims 2: Nightlife''."</span> <span class="moscorrect">"This skill ''can be learned'' by swimming."</span> Works of fiction are generally considered to "come alive" when experienced. They exist in a kind of perpetual present tense, regardless of when the fictional action is supposed to take place relative to "now." Thus, generally you should write about fiction using the present tense, not the past tense.

 

The major exception to this rule are undocumented [[patch notes]]. The tense used should match how Electronic Arts's official patch notes are written. For the most part, past tense should be used, <span class="moscorrect">"''Fixed'' an issue where ghosts could become stuck in vehicles."</span> For new features, future tense can be used as well, primarily used in conjunction with ''now'', <span class="moscorrect">"A Bay Window ''will now appear'' in the game,"</span> <span class="moscorrect">"Players may ''now'' use the Tattoo feature to customize Sims when in Create a Sim."</span> Other tenses should be converted. For example, <span class="mosincorrect">"Story progression ''will be improved''"</span> should be <span class="moscorrect">"Story progression ''has been improved.''"</span>

=== Punctuation ===

{{See also|Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Manual of Style#Punctuation{{!}}Wikipedia:Manual of Style#Punctuation}}

Where footnotes (ref tags) are adjacent to most punctuation, such as a comma or period, place them after the punctuation, with no intervening space.