UniWiki:Manual of Style/Lead section: Difference between revisions

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* All but the shortest articles should start with ''[[#Introductory text|Introductory text]]'' (the "lead"), which establishes significance, includes mention of significant criticism or controversies, and make readers want to learn more. The lead has no heading; its length should be commensurate with that of the article, but is normally no more than four paragraphs. ''See also'' [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Writing better articles#Lead section|Wikipedia:Writing better articles#Lead section]].

*The ''[[Wikipedia:WP:TOC|table of contents]]'' (TOC) automatically appears on pages with at least four headings. Avoid [[Wikipedia:Help:Section #Floating the TOC|floating the table of contents]] if possible, as it breaks the standard look of pages. If you must use a floated TOC, put it below the lead section in the wiki markup for consistency. Users of [[Wikipedia:Screen reader|screen readers]] expect the table of contents to follow the introductory text; they will also miss any text placed between the TOC and the first heading.

~~==Citations==~~

~~{{see|Wikipedia:Verifiability|Wikipedia:Citing sources}}~~

~~{{shortcut|WP:LEADCITE|WP:CITELEAD}}~~

The lead must conform to [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifiability]], [[WP:BLP|biographies of living persons]], and other policies. The verifiability policy advises that material that is challenged or likely to be challenged, and direct quotations, should be supported by an [[Wikipedia:Inline citation|inline citation]]. Any statements about living persons that are challenged or likely to be challenged must have an inline citation ''every'' time they are mentioned, including within the lead.

Because the lead will usually repeat information that is in the body, editors should balance the desire to avoid redundant citations in the lead with the desire to aid readers in locating sources for challengeable material. Leads are usually written at a greater level of generality than the body, and information in the lead section of non-controversial subjects is less likely to be challenged and less likely to require a source; there is not, however, an exception to citation requirements specific to leads. The necessity for citations in a lead should be determined on a case-by-case basis by editorial [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]]. Complex, current, or controversial subjects may require many citations; others, few or none. The presence of citations in the introduction is neither required in every article nor prohibited in any article.

==Introductory text==

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 * All but the shortest articles should start with ''[[#Introductory text|Introductory text]]'' (the "lead"), which establishes significance, includes mention of significant criticism or controversies, and make readers want to learn more. The lead has no heading; its length should be commensurate with that of the article, but is normally no more than four paragraphs. ''See also'' [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Writing better articles#Lead section|Wikipedia:Writing better articles#Lead section]].
 *The ''[[Wikipedia:WP:TOC|table of contents]]'' (TOC) automatically appears on pages with at least four headings. Avoid [[Wikipedia:Help:Section #Floating the TOC|floating the table of contents]] if possible, as it breaks the standard look of pages. If you must use a floated TOC, put it below the lead section in the wiki markup for consistency. Users of [[Wikipedia:Screen reader|screen readers]] expect the table of contents to follow the introductory text; they will also miss any text placed between the TOC and the first heading.
-==Citations==
-{{see|Wikipedia:Verifiability|Wikipedia:Citing sources}}
-{{shortcut|WP:LEADCITE|WP:CITELEAD}}
-The lead must conform to [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifiability]], [[WP:BLP|biographies of living persons]], and other policies. The verifiability policy advises that material that is challenged or likely to be challenged, and direct quotations, should be supported by an [[Wikipedia:Inline citation|inline citation]]. Any statements about living persons that are challenged or likely to be challenged must have an inline citation ''every'' time they are mentioned, including within the lead.
-Because the lead will usually repeat information that is in the body, editors should balance the desire to avoid redundant citations in the lead with the desire to aid readers in locating sources for challengeable material. Leads are usually written at a greater level of generality than the body, and information in the lead section of non-controversial subjects is less likely to be challenged and less likely to require a source; there is not, however, an exception to citation requirements specific to leads. The necessity for citations in a lead should be determined on a case-by-case basis by editorial [[Wikipedia:Consensus|consensus]]. Complex, current, or controversial subjects may require many citations; others, few or none. The presence of citations in the introduction is neither required in every article nor prohibited in any article.
 ==Introductory text==