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Revision as of 20:01, 21 June 2009 editJinnai (talk | contribs)21,453 edits putting this more in line with the GNG which does NOT require signifigant coverage, but just non-trivial← Previous edit Latest revision as of 22:58, 15 December 2023 edit undoJJMC89 bot III (talk | contribs)Bots, Administrators3,687,180 editsm Moving Category:Misplaced Pages essays (arts) to Category:Misplaced Pages essays about media per Misplaced Pages:Categories for discussion/Log/2023 December 4#Category:Misplaced Pages essays (arts) 
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{{Redirect|WP:FICTION|the style guideline|Misplaced Pages:Manual of Style/Writing about fiction}}
{{proposed}}
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<!-- {{Misplaced Pages subcat guideline|notability guideline|Fiction|]<br />]}} --> {{Notability essay|WP:FICT|WP:FICTION|WP:NFICT}}
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{{Nutshell|A fictional topic that has received non-trivial ] coverage in ] that are ] of the subject is presumed to be sufficiently ] to satisfy Misplaced Pages's policies on ] for a standalone article.}}
{{Nutshell|Fictional elements are expected to follow the same ] guidelines as any other topic.}}
{{For|information about writing articles on fiction|Misplaced Pages:Manual of Style (writing about fiction)}}
{{For|specific examples of where you may be able to help|Misplaced Pages:Fiction/Noticeboard}}
{{IncGuide}} {{IncGuide}}


There is no special guideline for the '''notability of fictional elements''' (such as characters and episodes) on Misplaced Pages. See other relevant ] in order to determine which fiction-related articles are appropriate for inclusion on Misplaced Pages. In particular, editors should review:
'''Misplaced Pages:Notability (fiction)''' is a ''proposed'' guideline that defines the inclusion criteria for topics about ], whether their subject is a work of fiction or a fictional element from a work (including but not limited to serialised works that are divided into episodes, and elements such as fictional characters, settings or events).
* The ]

* The policy on ]
This ''proposed'' guideline may be considered a specialized version of ], which refers to whether or not a topic should be the subject of a standalone article. The term "Notability" is not a reflection of a topic's importance or merit; rather it used in the sense that the topic has been noted in published commentary from reliable sources independent of the topic itself. A work or element of fiction may be a brilliant creation, fascinating and topical, while still not being notable enough to ensure sufficient verifiable source material exists to create an article that meets ].
* The manual of style for ]

Special consideration must be given to writing about fictional topics because they are ''inherently not real''. Articles about fiction, like all Misplaced Pages articles, should describe their subject matter from the perspective of the ] in which the work or element of fiction is embedded, and should not attempt to create or uphold the illusion that a fictional topic is real by the omission of real world information or by over-reliance on a perspective that is ]. It is Misplaced Pages's mission is to ''inform'' rather than ''immerse'' the readership by providing balanced coverage, so that they can fully understand the subject and appreciate its overall significance.

Works of fiction distributed through the media of books and film are also (but not exclusively) the subject of separate notability guidelines for ] and ] respectively. Other specific guidelines may be developed in the future. Until then, this guideline may be instructive by analogy.

==Inclusion criteria==
If a fictional topic has received non-trivial ] coverage in ] that are ] of the subject, it is presumed to satisfy the ] for a stand-alone article.

* ''"Non-trivial real-world coverage"'' means that sources address the subject directly in detail using the real-world as the primary frame of reference, and ] is needed to extract the content.

* ''"Reliable secondary sources"'' are at least one step removed from the primary source, and contain non-trivial real-world coverage of their own that focus upon it. Coverage from ] does not constitute evidence of notability for the purposes of article creation - directories and databases are examples of coverage that may not actually support notability when examined, despite their existence as ].

*''"Independent"'' means published sources that are ''independent'' of the creator, author, publisher or distributor. Promotion and product placement are not independent, and non-promotional self-published sources are still ''not'' evidence of notability as they do not measure the ''attention a subject has received by the world at large''.

* ''"Presumed"'' means that non-trivial real-world coverage ] establishes a presumption, not a guarantee, of satisfying the ] for a stand-alone article. Editors may reach a consensus that although a topic meets the all of the above criteria, it is not suitable for inclusion. For example, it may violate ].

A topic for which the inclusion criteria are deemed to have been met by consensus, satisfies one of the criteria for a stand-alone article in the encyclopedia. Content which can be verified from the primary source, but which does not currently meet the inclusion criteria, may still be appropriate for inclusion within another article or list that does meet these criteria.

==Derivative articles==
Misplaced Pages articles tend to grow in a way which lends itself to the ]. The threshold for creating a separate article is ], not simply volume of information. It is not enough to simply assert that an element of fiction such as a fictional character, or a segment of a fictional work, such as an episode or scene should be the subject of a standalone article simply because the book, film or television series from which it is notable. ] since it applies to individual topics, every article about a fictional topic must stand on its own feet in the sense that it must substantiate its own claim to notability.

It is general consensus on Misplaced Pages that articles should not be split and split again into ever more minutiae of detail treatment, with each split normally lowering the level of real-world coverage contained in an article. This means that while a book or television series may be the subject of non-trivial real-world coverage, care should be taken when creating seperate articles ensure that each topic is notable in its own right.

For this reason, it is not normally advisable to set out from the start with the intention of creating derivative articles for every fictional character, episode, scene or chapter derived from it. Rather, ] if the new article cannot meet inclusion criteria for topics about fiction. Derivative articles should ] of the character, setting, episode or scene to the work by ]. After reading the article, the reader should be able to understand ] as to why a character, place, or event was included in the fictional work.

Often, a separate article is created for formatting and display purposes; however, this does not imply an "inherited notability" per se, but is often accepted in the context of ease of formatting and navigation.

==Plot summary==
A ] is a retelling, a summary, or an abridged or shortened ] of the events that occur within a work of fiction. The purpose of a plot summary is to help the reader understand the important events within a work of fiction, be they of the work as a whole or of an individual character.


For starters, the main work must be notable to begin with. If the work itself is not notable, it may be pointless to discuss the notability of its characters or episodes.
Coverage of a work of fiction and elements of such works ]. In addition to a summary of the ], they should include real world coverage of the work (such as its development, legacy, critical reception, and any sourced literary analysis) from ]. Coverage of fictional topics should provide balanced coverage that includes both plot summary and real-world context.


==History and rationale==
== Articles that don't meet the inclusion criteria ==
Several attempts have been made to establish specialized guidelines to cover the notability of fictional elements within Misplaced Pages. Until there is a successful proposal to treat fiction in a specialized way, consult other policies and guidelines for guidance on a wide range of topics, including fiction. Existing policies and guidelines have wide acceptance among editors and describe standards that all users should normally follow.
Articles that do not meet the inclusion guidelines above may be ]. Whilst this guideline is intended to be used by Misplaced Pages editors to decide whether a fictional topic should or should not have an article on Misplaced Pages, it should '''not''' be used as a set of deletion criteria. Although satisfying these notability guidelines generally indicates a fictional topic warrants an article, failing to satisfy them is '''not''' a ].


==Improving articles==
Before proposing that an article is to be ], it is important to not just consider whether an article meets these inclusion criteria, but whether it has the potential to do so. Remember that all Misplaced Pages articles are ], and an article can be notable if such sources exist even if they have not been added at present.
Information that may help provide the real-world discussion necessary for an encyclopedia article about a fictional topic includes reception, analysis, significance, development, legacy and influence, and relationships with or comparisons to other media. Dedicated sections are good, though sometimes in less developed articles, such information is contained in the lead but not the body.


Bear in mind that content in such information should be referenced to ], independent sources.
In addition, no part of this guideline is meant to preempt the editorial decision of content selection and presentation; for example, a topic may meet all the criteria, but may be decided by consensus to ] the article with an article on the work of fiction itself instead of a separate article if there is limited information available.


If such sections do not exist, before nominating the article for possible deletion, please adhere to ] and check whether sources to improve the article exists. A possible solution in the spirit of ] can also take the form of ] the article to a list of similar entities or the article about the related, notable work this fictional element appears in.
Articles covering fictional elements that are deletion candidates are generally merged or retained temporarily if their coverage can meet some of these criteria:


==Relevant guidelines and policies==
# '''Real-world coverage''': To establish real-world importance, or to provide appropriate context for understanding real-world importance, rather than detail the ] of imaginary characters. Articles writen in the ], which expand upon relevant points of a main topic to further the reader's understanding, are more likely to find acceptance among the Misplaced Pages community;
===Notability guidelines===
# '''Importance of the fictional work''': To justify articles on individual elements, the fictional work from which they come must have produced non-trivial artistic impact, cultural impact, or general popularity described in a secondary source;
{{main|Misplaced Pages:Notability}}
# '''Role within the fictional work''': The element must be an important element, and its importance must be verifiable. The importance of characters can be demonstrated when a character or other element in a book/film is referred to in a reliable source review of the book/film, or there is a reference to the casting of the character in a reliable source.
The ] is appropriate and sufficient for demonstrating the notability of fictional elements. Specifically, fictional elements are presumed to be notable if there is significant coverage in independent secondary sources about the fictional element; when a fictional element is presumed notable, a separate article to cover that element is usually acceptable.


There are specialized notability guidelines for works of fiction which can be found in the following guidelines:
These criteria are not exhaustive, nor agreed by all, but can help to concentrate editorial discussion regarding the merger or deletion of specific articles and help editors reach conclusions as to how to best organise content.
* ]
* ]
* ]


===What Misplaced Pages is not===
==Further guidance==
{{main|Misplaced Pages:What Misplaced Pages is not}}
{{MultiCol}}
Articles on fiction are expected to follow existing content policies and guidelines, particularly ]. Articles on fiction elements are expected to cover more about "real-world" aspects of the element, such as its development and reception, than "in-universe" details.


===Manual of style===
; Wikiprojects
{{main|Misplaced Pages:Manual of Style (writing about fiction)}}
Editors interested in writing articles on fictional elements are encouraged to review ] and ] to understand the general approach and content of these articles.


==Lists of fictional elements==
* ]
Individually non-notable elements of a fictional work (such as characters and episodes) ''may'' be grouped into an appropriate list article. Advice for the appropriateness of these list articles can be found at ] and at ].
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


==Consult Wikiprojects==
{{ColBreak}}
Editors should also review guidelines and recommendations made by WikiProjects that deal primarily with works of fiction. These include but not limited to:
; Other policies and guidelines, examples and how-tos not mentioned above:
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


A ] was created in 2009 but it was retired in 2010.
* ]
* ]
{{EndMultiCol}}


==Previous proposals==
* ], the original attempted rewrite from c. 2007-2009
* ], a previous failed proposal from 2007
* ], a previous proposal abandoned in 2008
* ], a previous failed proposal, in 2011 recategorized as an essay


==See also==
{{Misplaced Pages policies and guidelines}}
*]
*]
*]


] ]
]

Latest revision as of 22:58, 15 December 2023

"WP:FICTION" redirects here. For the style guideline, see Misplaced Pages:Manual of Style/Writing about fiction. Essay on editing Misplaced Pages
This is an essay on notability.
It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Misplaced Pages contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Misplaced Pages's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.		Shortcuts
This page in a nutshell: Fictional elements are expected to follow the same notability guidelines as any other topic.
Notability
General notability guideline
Subject-specific guidelines
See also

There is no special guideline for the notability of fictional elements (such as characters and episodes) on Misplaced Pages. See other relevant policies and guidelines in order to determine which fiction-related articles are appropriate for inclusion on Misplaced Pages. In particular, editors should review:

For starters, the main work must be notable to begin with. If the work itself is not notable, it may be pointless to discuss the notability of its characters or episodes.

History and rationale

Several attempts have been made to establish specialized guidelines to cover the notability of fictional elements within Misplaced Pages. Until there is a successful proposal to treat fiction in a specialized way, consult other policies and guidelines for guidance on a wide range of topics, including fiction. Existing policies and guidelines have wide acceptance among editors and describe standards that all users should normally follow.

Improving articles

Information that may help provide the real-world discussion necessary for an encyclopedia article about a fictional topic includes reception, analysis, significance, development, legacy and influence, and relationships with or comparisons to other media. Dedicated sections are good, though sometimes in less developed articles, such information is contained in the lead but not the body.

Bear in mind that content in such information should be referenced to reliable, independent sources.

If such sections do not exist, before nominating the article for possible deletion, please adhere to WP:BEFORE and check whether sources to improve the article exists. A possible solution in the spirit of WP:PRESERVE can also take the form of redirecting the article to a list of similar entities or the article about the related, notable work this fictional element appears in.

Relevant guidelines and policies

Notability guidelines

Main page: Misplaced Pages:Notability

The Misplaced Pages's general notability guideline is appropriate and sufficient for demonstrating the notability of fictional elements. Specifically, fictional elements are presumed to be notable if there is significant coverage in independent secondary sources about the fictional element; when a fictional element is presumed notable, a separate article to cover that element is usually acceptable.

There are specialized notability guidelines for works of fiction which can be found in the following guidelines:

What Misplaced Pages is not

Main page: Misplaced Pages:What Misplaced Pages is not

Articles on fiction are expected to follow existing content policies and guidelines, particularly Misplaced Pages is not simply plot summaries. Articles on fiction elements are expected to cover more about "real-world" aspects of the element, such as its development and reception, than "in-universe" details.

Manual of style

Main page: Misplaced Pages:Manual of Style (writing about fiction)

Editors interested in writing articles on fictional elements are encouraged to review Writing About Fiction and Misplaced Pages:Writing better articles#Check your fiction to understand the general approach and content of these articles.

Lists of fictional elements

Individually non-notable elements of a fictional work (such as characters and episodes) may be grouped into an appropriate list article. Advice for the appropriateness of these list articles can be found at the general notability guideline and at Stand-alone Lists and Topics.

Consult Wikiprojects

Editors should also review guidelines and recommendations made by WikiProjects that deal primarily with works of fiction. These include but not limited to:

A Misplaced Pages:Fiction/Noticeboard was created in 2009 but it was retired in 2010.

Previous proposals

See also

Categories: