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{{main|Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Embedded lists}} | {{main|Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Embedded lists}} | ||
''Embedded lists'' are lists used within articles to present information that supplements the article's prose content. Wikipedia also uses several types of [[ | ''Embedded lists'' are lists used within articles to present information that supplements the article's prose content. Wikipedia also uses several types of [[UniWiki:Manual of Style/Layout#Standard appendices and footers|standard appendices]], usually in list format, including "See also", "References", and "External links" sections, as well as [[Wikipedia:WP:NAV|navigational templates]]. | ||
== Purposes of lists == | == Purposes of lists == | ||
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=== Organization === | === Organization === | ||
Although lists may be organized in different ways, they must always be organized. The most basic form of organization is [[Collation#Alphabetical_order|alphabetical]] or [[Collation#Numerical sorting, sorting of single characters|numerical]] (such as [[List of Star Wars starfighters]]), though if items have specific dates a [[chronological]] format is sometimes preferable ([[List of Belarusian Prime Ministers]]). When using a more complex form of organization, (by origin, by use, by type, etc.), the criteria for categorization must be clear and consistent. Just as a reader or editor could easily assume that the headings '''A''', '''B''', '''C''' would be followed by '''D''' (rather than '''1903'''), more complex systems should be just as explicit. If a [[list of Australians in international prisons]] contains the headings '''[[Argentina]]''' and '''[[Cambodia]]''' (organization by country), it would be inappropriate for an editor to add the heading '''[[Drug trafficking]]''' (organization by offense). If a list entry logically belongs in two or more categories (e.g., an Australian in an Argentine prison for drug trafficking), this suggests that the list categorization might be flawed, and should be re-examined. | Although lists may be organized in different ways, they must always be organized. The most basic form of organization is [[Wikipedia:Collation#Alphabetical_order|alphabetical]] or [[Wikipedia:Collation#Numerical sorting, sorting of single characters|numerical]] (such as [[Wikipedia:List of Star Wars starfighters|List of Star Wars starfighters]]), though if items have specific dates a [[Wikipedia:Chronological|chronological]] format is sometimes preferable ([[Wikipedia:List of Belarusian Prime Ministers|List of Belarusian Prime Ministers]]). When using a more complex form of organization, (by origin, by use, by type, etc.), the criteria for categorization must be clear and consistent. Just as a reader or editor could easily assume that the headings '''A''', '''B''', '''C''' would be followed by '''D''' (rather than '''1903'''), more complex systems should be just as explicit. If a [[Wikipedia:List of Australians in international prisons|list of Australians in international prisons]] contains the headings '''[[Wikipedia:Argentina|Argentina]]''' and '''[[Wikipedia:Cambodia|Cambodia]]''' (organization by country), it would be inappropriate for an editor to add the heading '''[[Wikipedia:Drug trafficking|Drug trafficking]]''' (organization by offense). If a list entry logically belongs in two or more categories (e.g., an Australian in an Argentine prison for drug trafficking), this suggests that the list categorization might be flawed, and should be re-examined. | ||
Lists should never contain '''Unsorted''' or '''Miscellaneous''' headings, as all items worthy of inclusion in the list can be sorted by ''some'' criteria, although it is entirely possible that the formatting of the list would need to be revamped to include all appropriate items. Not-yet-sorted items may be included on the list's talk page while their categorization is determined. | Lists should never contain '''Unsorted''' or '''Miscellaneous''' headings, as all items worthy of inclusion in the list can be sorted by ''some'' criteria, although it is entirely possible that the formatting of the list would need to be revamped to include all appropriate items. Not-yet-sorted items may be included on the list's talk page while their categorization is determined. | ||
=== Adding individual items to a list === | === Adding individual items to a list === | ||
{{ | {{hatnote|Further information: [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Stand-alone lists#Selection criteria|Wikipedia:Stand-alone lists#Selection criteria]]}} | ||
Lists, whether they are [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Stand-alone lists|stand-alone list]]s (also called list articles) or [[ | Lists, whether they are [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Stand-alone lists|stand-alone list]]s (also called list articles) or [[UniWiki:Manual of Style/Embedded lists|embedded lists]], are encyclopedic content just as paragraph-only articles or sections are. Although the format of a list might require less detail per topic, UniWiki policies and procedures apply equally to both a list of similar things as well as to any related article to which an individual thing on the list might [[UniWiki:Manual of Style/Linking|be linked]]. | ||
It is important [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Be bold|to be bold]] in adding or editing items on a list, but also to balance boldness with [[Wikipedia:WP:CAREFUL|being thoughtful]], a balance which all content policies are aimed at helping editors achieve. Edits of uncertain quality can be [[Wikipedia:WP:TALKPAGE|first discussed on the talk page]] for feedback from other editors. | |||
It is important [[Wikipedia:Be bold|to be bold]] in adding or editing items on a list, but also to balance boldness with [[WP:CAREFUL|being thoughtful]], a balance which all content policies are aimed at helping editors achieve. Edits of uncertain quality can be [[WP:TALKPAGE|first discussed on the talk page]] for feedback from other editors. | |||
When reliable sources disagree, the policy of keeping a [[Wikipedia:WP:NPOV|neutral point of view]] requires that we describe competing views without endorsing any in particular. Simply present what the various sources say, giving each side [[Wikipedia:WP:WEIGHT|its due weight]] through coverage balanced according to the prominence of each viewpoint in the published, reliable sources. | |||
When adding to a stand-alone list with [[UniWiki:Manual of Style/Linking|links to other articles]], [[UniWiki:Manual of Style#Retaining existing styles|follow the established format]] when adding your item, and then see if you can a link that item to an article focusing on that item's topic. If so, then consider if the list's format allows room for all the details of [[Wikipedia:WP:NPOV|competing views]] in the list item or if those details should only be covered in the linked, main article on the topic. Either way, make sure to add them to the main article if they are not already there. | |||
When adding to a stand-alone list with [[ | |||
== List styles == | == List styles == | ||
{{See also | {{hatnote|See also: [[Wikipedia:Help:List]] and [[UniWiki:Manual of Style#Bulleted and numbered lists]]}} | ||
There are several ways of presenting lists on the UniWiki. | |||
=== Bulleted lists === | === Bulleted lists === | ||
As a matter of style, list items should be formatted consistently in either sentence case or lower case. They should not have final punctuation unless they consist of complete sentences. | As a matter of style, list items should be formatted consistently in either sentence case or lower case. They should not have final punctuation unless they consist of complete sentences. | ||
This style is appropriate for long lists, or lists of entries which consist of both a link and explanatory text. Also, it is appropriate when the article already has several titles or subtitles. | This style is appropriate for long lists, or lists of entries which consist of both a link and explanatory text. Also, it is appropriate when the article already has several titles or subtitles. | ||
The Title provides a direct edit point, if one enables [[Wikipedia:Section editing|section editing]]. It also enables the automatic table of contents system to detect the list. It is not required, however. | The Title provides a direct edit point, if one enables [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Section editing|section editing]]. It also enables the automatic table of contents system to detect the list. It is not required, however. | ||
In particular, '''do not double-space the lines of the list''' by leaving blank lines or extra HTML <nowiki><br></nowiki> tags after them. Doing this actually produces three lists with one item each! This can adversely affect machine-readability of the content if a continuous list is expected.<ref>Blank lines cause particular problems for users of [[Wikipedia:Screen reader|screen readers]]. A badly formatted example would be read out loud like this: "List of 1 items: Example 1, list end. List of 1 items: Example 2, list end. List of 1 items: Example 3, list end." Improper formatting can more than triple the length of time it takes to read the list.</ref> Moreover in certain web browsers, the extra white-space between one singular list and the next can have a visually jarring effect. | |||
</ | |||
</ | |||
To float pictures to the right of the list, one should put the image markup before the first item in most cases. | |||
Inserting the image markup as a separate line within the list once again will split it into two half-lists. | |||
Inserting the image markup as a separate line within the list | |||
Should the length of the list items or the topical relevance of said image discourage display at the top corner, consider placing it after the asterisk of the first list-item it illustrates | Should the length of the list items or the topical relevance of said image discourage display at the top corner, consider placing it after the asterisk of the first list-item it illustrates to avoid breaking continuity of the unordered list ({{tag|ul}}) element. | ||
'''Note''': Avoid floating images to the left of a list as this disrupts the indentation of the bullet-points, making the hierarchy of list-items more difficult for readers to ascertain. | '''Note''': Avoid floating images to the left of a list as this disrupts the indentation of the bullet-points, making the hierarchy of list-items more difficult for readers to ascertain. | ||
=== Numbered lists === | === Numbered lists === | ||
Similar to the above, use a # symbol to obtain a numbered list: | Similar to the above, use a # symbol to obtain a numbered list: | ||
| Line 300: | Line 120: | ||
# Example 3 | # Example 3 | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
| | |<h2><span class="mw-headline">Title of list</span></h2> | ||
<h2><span class="mw-headline">Title of list</span></h2> | |||
<ol> | <ol> | ||
<li>Example 1</li> | <li>Example 1</li> | ||
| Line 308: | Line 126: | ||
<li>Example 3</li> | <li>Example 3</li> | ||
</ol> | </ol> | ||
| style="white-space:nowrap; padding:1em;" | <u>'''Title of list'''</u> | |||
| style="white-space:nowrap; padding:1em;" | | |||
# Example 1 | # Example 1 | ||
# Example 2 | # Example 2 | ||
| Line 315: | Line 132: | ||
|} | |} | ||
Blank lines between items of an ordered list will not only cause the same problems as in the previous example, but will also restart the numbering at "1". This cannot be fixed without complex wiki markup (defeating ease-of-editing expectations), so double-spacing should always be avoided in numbered lists. | Blank lines between items of an ordered list will not only cause the same problems as in the previous example, but will also restart the numbering at "1". This cannot be fixed without complex wiki markup (defeating ease-of-editing expectations), so double-spacing should always be avoided in numbered lists. | ||
=== Tables === | === Tables === | ||
Although the use of tables to display lists is discouraged—because they provide low-quality accessibility and have a more complex notation that hinders editing—there are some instances where they can be useful, such as when three or more columns are required. See [[ | Although the use of tables to display lists is discouraged—because they provide low-quality accessibility and have a more complex notation that hinders editing—there are some instances where they can be useful, such as when three or more columns are required. See [[UniWiki:Manual of Style/Tables]]. | ||
=== Horizontal lists === | === Horizontal lists === | ||
In situations such as infoboxes, a single-line list may be useful—in this case: | In situations such as infoboxes, a single-line list may be useful—in this case: | ||
| Line 501: | Line 147: | ||
|List with commas | |List with commas | ||
|Entry 1, entry 2, entry 3 | |Entry 1, entry 2, entry 3 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Note the capitalization of only the first word in this list (but words that are normally capitalized would still be capitalized). This applies regardless of the separator used between the list type and the entries themselves—whether it is a comma | Note the capitalization of only the first word in this list (but words that are normally capitalized would still be capitalized). This applies regardless of the separator used between the list type and the entries themselves—whether it is a comma or an infobox divider. | ||
== Bulleted and numbered lists == | == Bulleted and numbered lists == | ||
* Do not use lists if a passage is read easily as plain paragraphs. | * Do not use lists if a passage is read easily as plain paragraphs. | ||
* Use proper wikimarkup- or template-based list code ''(see also [[Help:List]])''. | * Use proper wikimarkup- or template-based list code ''(see also [[Wikipedia:Help:List]])''. | ||
* Do not leave blank lines between items in a bulleted or numbered list unless there is a reason to do so, since this causes the Wiki software to interpret each item as beginning a new list. | * Do not leave blank lines between items in a bulleted or numbered list unless there is a reason to do so, since this causes the Wiki software to interpret each item as beginning a new list. | ||
* Use numbers rather than bullets only if any of the following apply: | * Use numbers rather than bullets only if any of the following apply: | ||
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== Pro and con lists == | == Pro and con lists == | ||
{{See also|Wikipedia:Pro and con lists}} | {{hatnote|See also: [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Pro and con lists|Wikipedia:Pro and con lists]]}} | ||
These are lists of arguments for and against a particular contention or position. They include lists of ''Advantages and disadvantages'' of a technology or proposal (such as [[Wi-Fi]]) and lists of ''Criticisms and defenses'' of a political position or other view, such as [[libertarianism]] or [[evolution]]. Pro and con lists can encapsulate or bracket [[WP:NPOV|neutrality]] problems in an article by creating separate spaces in which different points of view can be expressed. An alternative method is to thread different points of view into running prose. | These are lists of arguments for and against a particular contention or position. They include lists of ''Advantages and disadvantages'' of a technology or proposal (such as [[Wikipedia:Wi-Fi|Wi-Fi]]) and lists of ''Criticisms and defenses'' of a political position or other view, such as [[Wikipedia:Libertarianism|libertarianism]] or [[Wikipedia:Evolution|evolution]]. Pro and con lists can encapsulate or bracket [[Wikipedia:WP:NPOV|neutrality]] problems in an article by creating separate spaces in which different points of view can be expressed. An alternative method is to thread different points of view into running prose. | ||
Either method needs careful judgment as to whether and how it should be used. In particular, pro and con lists can fragment the presentation of facts, create a binary structure where a more nuanced treatment of the spectrum of facts is preferable, encourage oversimplification, and require readers to jump back and forth between the two sides of the list. | Either method needs careful judgment as to whether and how it should be used. In particular, pro and con lists can fragment the presentation of facts, create a binary structure where a more nuanced treatment of the spectrum of facts is preferable, encourage oversimplification, and require readers to jump back and forth between the two sides of the list. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Wikipedia:List dos and don'ts]] (information page summarizing the key points in this guideline) | * [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:List dos and don'ts|Wikipedia:List dos and don'ts]] (information page summarizing the key points in this guideline) | ||
* [[Wikipedia:Line-break handling]] – Covers among other things how to properly handle the line wrapping in horizontal link lists | * [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Line-break handling|Wikipedia:Line-break handling]] – Covers among other things how to properly handle the line wrapping in horizontal link lists | ||
* [[Help:Sorting]] – Tables on | * [[Wikipedia:Help:Sorting]] – Tables on the UniWiki can be made sortable with <code>class="sortable"</code>, this page explains how | ||
* [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Stand-alone lists]] | * [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Stand-alone lists|Wikipedia:Stand-alone lists]] | ||
* [[ | * [[UniWiki:Manual of Style/Embedded lists]] | ||
* [[ | * [[UniWiki:Manual of Style/Disambiguation pages]] – Disambiguation pages are lists of [[Wikipedia:Homograph|homographs]]—a word or a group of words that share the same written form but have different meanings—with their own page rules and layouts | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||