More actions
| Line 68: | Line 68: | ||
=== 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. | ||