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This style guideline is intended to make the search more efficient, by giving disambiguation pages a consistent look and by avoiding distracting information. In brief, the pages should contain only disambiguation content, whether or not the page title contains the parenthetical ''(disambiguation)''. (This guideline does not apply to articles that are [[Wikipedia:WP:PRIMARYTOPIC|primary topics]], even if the articles are prefaced by a "See also" hatnote or the like at the top of the page.) | This style guideline is intended to make the search more efficient, by giving disambiguation pages a consistent look and by avoiding distracting information. In brief, the pages should contain only disambiguation content, whether or not the page title contains the parenthetical ''(disambiguation)''. (This guideline does not apply to articles that are [[Wikipedia:WP:PRIMARYTOPIC|primary topics]], even if the articles are prefaced by a "See also" hatnote or the like at the top of the page.) | ||
= Page naming = | |||
In general, the title of a disambiguation page is the ambiguous term itself, provided there is no primary topic for that term. If there is already a primary topic, then "(disambiguation)" is added to the title of the disambiguation page, as in [[Wikipedia:Jupiter (disambiguation)|Jupiter (disambiguation)]]. For more on how to title a disambiguation page, see [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Disambiguation#Naming the disambiguation page|Wikipedia:Naming the disambiguation page]]. | In general, the title of a disambiguation page is the ambiguous term itself, provided there is no primary topic for that term. If there is already a primary topic, then "(disambiguation)" is added to the title of the disambiguation page, as in [[Wikipedia:Jupiter (disambiguation)|Jupiter (disambiguation)]]. For more on how to title a disambiguation page, see [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Disambiguation#Naming the disambiguation page|Wikipedia:Naming the disambiguation page]]. | ||
= At the top of the page = | |||
The first line of a disambiguation page should be the '''introductory line''' ([[#Introductory line|see below]]). If there is a link to the '''primary topic''' ([[#Linking to a primary topic|see below]]), that line should appear before the introductory line. Both of these should begin its own line. | The first line of a disambiguation page should be the '''introductory line''' ([[#Introductory line|see below]]). If there is a link to the '''primary topic''' ([[#Linking to a primary topic|see below]]), that line should appear before the introductory line. Both of these should begin its own line. | ||
== Linking to a primary topic == | |||
When a page has "(disambiguation)" in its title – i.e., it is the disambiguation page for a term for which a primary topic has been identified – users are most likely to arrive there by clicking on a top link from the primary topic article. | When a page has "(disambiguation)" in its title – i.e., it is the disambiguation page for a term for which a primary topic has been identified – users are most likely to arrive there by clicking on a top link from the primary topic article. | ||
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== Introductory line == | |||
:''See also: [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Template messages/General#In introductory lines|Wikipedia:Template messages#In introductory lines]]'' | :''See also: [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Template messages/General#In introductory lines|Wikipedia:Template messages#In introductory lines]]'' | ||
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However, it is not necessary to mention minor variations of capitalization, punctuation or diacritics. For example, {{xt|'''AU''' may refer to:}} is preferable to "'''AU''', '''au''', '''Au''' or '''A-U''' may refer to"; and {{xt|'''Saiyuki''' may refer to:}} is preferable to "'''Saiyuki''', '''Saiyūki''' or '''Saiyûki''' may refer to". | However, it is not necessary to mention minor variations of capitalization, punctuation or diacritics. For example, {{xt|'''AU''' may refer to:}} is preferable to "'''AU''', '''au''', '''Au''' or '''A-U''' may refer to"; and {{xt|'''Saiyuki''' may refer to:}} is preferable to "'''Saiyuki''', '''Saiyūki''' or '''Saiyûki''' may refer to". | ||
= Individual entries = | |||
After the introductory line comes a list of individual entries – lines which direct the readers to Wikipedia articles on the various topics which might be referenced by the term being disambiguated. Keep in mind that the primary purpose of the disambiguation page is to help people find the specific article they want quickly and easily. | After the introductory line comes a list of individual entries – lines which direct the readers to Wikipedia articles on the various topics which might be referenced by the term being disambiguated. Keep in mind that the primary purpose of the disambiguation page is to help people find the specific article they want quickly and easily. | ||
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* [[Wikipedia:WP:REF|References]] should not appear on disambiguation pages. Dab pages are not articles; instead, incorporate the references into the target articles. | * [[Wikipedia:WP:REF|References]] should not appear on disambiguation pages. Dab pages are not articles; instead, incorporate the references into the target articles. | ||
== Examples of individual entries that should not be created == | |||
:''See also: [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Disambiguation#What not to include|Wikipedia:Disambiguation#What not to include]]'' | :''See also: [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Disambiguation#What not to include|Wikipedia:Disambiguation#What not to include]]'' | ||
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** An example is [[Wikipedia:Willow Valley|Willow Valley]], which lists a town of that name as well as "Willow Valley Township" in another state. | ** An example is [[Wikipedia:Willow Valley|Willow Valley]], which lists a town of that name as well as "Willow Valley Township" in another state. | ||
== Misspellings == | |||
Common misspellings should be listed only if there is a genuine risk of confusion or misspelling. These cross-links should be placed in a separate section entitled "Common misspellings" or "See also". For example, in a page called [[Wikipedia:Kington (disambiguation)|Kington (disambiguation)]], a link to [[Wikipedia:Kingston (disambiguation)|Kingston (disambiguation)]] would appropriately be included in the "See also" section. | Common misspellings should be listed only if there is a genuine risk of confusion or misspelling. These cross-links should be placed in a separate section entitled "Common misspellings" or "See also". For example, in a page called [[Wikipedia:Kington (disambiguation)|Kington (disambiguation)]], a link to [[Wikipedia:Kingston (disambiguation)|Kingston (disambiguation)]] would appropriately be included in the "See also" section. | ||
==Piping and redirects== | |||
Piping and redirects are two different mechanisms which allow the displayed text of a link to differ from the title of the page that the link points to. | Piping and redirects are two different mechanisms which allow the displayed text of a link to differ from the title of the page that the link points to. | ||
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Though piping and redirects should generally not be used in disambiguation pages, there are certain cases in which they may be useful to the reader: | Though piping and redirects should generally not be used in disambiguation pages, there are certain cases in which they may be useful to the reader: | ||
===Where redirecting may be appropriate=== | |||
*A redirect should be used to link to a specific section of an article if the title of that section is more or less synonymous with the disambiguated topic. This indicates a higher possibility that the topic may eventually have its own article. For example: | *A redirect should be used to link to a specific section of an article if the title of that section is more or less synonymous with the disambiguated topic. This indicates a higher possibility that the topic may eventually have its own article. For example: | ||
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* Redirecting may be appropriate when linking to [[Wikipedia:WP:INTDABLINK|another disambiguation page]]. | * Redirecting may be appropriate when linking to [[Wikipedia:WP:INTDABLINK|another disambiguation page]]. | ||
===Where piping may be appropriate=== | |||
* Use piping to add italics or quotation marks to part of an article name; for instance, [[Wikipedia:Harvey (film)|''Harvey'' (film)]], [[Wikipedia:USS Adder (SS-3)|USS ''Adder'' (SS-3)]], [[Wikipedia:Route 66 (song)|"Route 66" (song)]], [[Wikipedia:Saturnalia (dinosaur)|''Saturnalia'' (dinosaur)]], [[Wikipedia:Hush (Buffy episode)|"Hush" (''Buffy'' episode)]], [[Wikipedia:Neo (The Matrix)|Neo (''The Matrix'')]]. | * Use piping to add italics or quotation marks to part of an article name; for instance, [[Wikipedia:Harvey (film)|''Harvey'' (film)]], [[Wikipedia:USS Adder (SS-3)|USS ''Adder'' (SS-3)]], [[Wikipedia:Route 66 (song)|"Route 66" (song)]], [[Wikipedia:Saturnalia (dinosaur)|''Saturnalia'' (dinosaur)]], [[Wikipedia:Hush (Buffy episode)|"Hush" (''Buffy'' episode)]], [[Wikipedia:Neo (The Matrix)|Neo (''The Matrix'')]]. | ||
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|} | |} | ||
== Specific entry types == | |||
===External links=== | |||
External links do not belong on disambiguation pages; they should not be used. | External links do not belong on disambiguation pages; they should not be used. | ||
=== Places === | |||
For '''places''', it may only be necessary to write the name of the article. | For '''places''', it may only be necessary to write the name of the article. | ||
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===Red links=== | |||
A link to a non-existent article (a "[[Wikipedia:Red link|red link]]") should only be included on a disambiguation page when a linked article (not just other disambiguation pages) also includes that red link. Do not create red links to articles that are unlikely ever to be written. To find out if any article uses the red link, click on it, and then click "[[Wikipedia:Help:What links here|What links here]]" on the toolbox on the left side of the page. | A link to a non-existent article (a "[[Wikipedia:Red link|red link]]") should only be included on a disambiguation page when a linked article (not just other disambiguation pages) also includes that red link. Do not create red links to articles that are unlikely ever to be written. To find out if any article uses the red link, click on it, and then click "[[Wikipedia:Help:What links here|What links here]]" on the toolbox on the left side of the page. | ||
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* Make a redirect to a page where the item is described (see {{section link||Piping and redirects}} above). | * Make a redirect to a page where the item is described (see {{section link||Piping and redirects}} above). | ||
=== Synonyms === | |||
If the link is to a '''synonym''', simply use it as it is named: | If the link is to a '''synonym''', simply use it as it is named: | ||
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=== Items appearing within other articles === | |||
If a topic does not have an article of its own, but ''is mentioned'' within another article, then a link to that article should be included. In this case, the link does not start the line, but it should still be the only blue wikilink. For example: | If a topic does not have an article of its own, but ''is mentioned'' within another article, then a link to that article should be included. In this case, the link does not start the line, but it should still be the only blue wikilink. For example: | ||
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If the topic is not mentioned on the other article, that article should not be linked to in the disambiguation page, since linking to it would not help readers find information about the sought topic. | If the topic is not mentioned on the other article, that article should not be linked to in the disambiguation page, since linking to it would not help readers find information about the sought topic. | ||
===Acronyms, initialisms, and abbreviations=== | |||
Many pages serve primarily to disambiguate short letter combinations that can represent various acronyms and initialisms. When considering articles to include in the list, it is important that each individual entry is referred to its respective abbreviation within its article. For example: | Many pages serve primarily to disambiguate short letter combinations that can represent various acronyms and initialisms. When considering articles to include in the list, it is important that each individual entry is referred to its respective abbreviation within its article. For example: | ||
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The second entry is incorrect because the article that it refers to, the ''British Soap Awards'', does not mention that it is abbreviated "BSA", and therefore is unlikely to be searched for by that letter combination. The Boy Scouts of America page, however, notes that the organization ''is'' abbreviated "BSA", and would thus be a likely candidate for someone searching that initialism. See also [[Wikipedia:WP:DABABBREV|Wikipedia:Disambiguation#Abbreviations, initials, and acronyms]]. | The second entry is incorrect because the article that it refers to, the ''British Soap Awards'', does not mention that it is abbreviated "BSA", and therefore is unlikely to be searched for by that letter combination. The Boy Scouts of America page, however, notes that the organization ''is'' abbreviated "BSA", and would thus be a likely candidate for someone searching that initialism. See also [[Wikipedia:WP:DABABBREV|Wikipedia:Disambiguation#Abbreviations, initials, and acronyms]]. | ||
=Organization= | |||
==Ordering== | |||
The following guidelines describe the appropriate order of entries on disambiguation pages: | The following guidelines describe the appropriate order of entries on disambiguation pages: | ||
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When appropriate, place easily confused terms in a hatnote. | When appropriate, place easily confused terms in a hatnote. | ||
===Example ordering=== | |||
:{| style="border: 1px solid black" width=80% | :{| style="border: 1px solid black" width=80% | ||
|- | |- | ||
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|} | |} | ||
==Grouping by subject area== | |||
A large number of topics can make it difficult for a reader to find a particular topic. On longer disambiguation pages, separate entries by subject [[Wikipedia:WP:SECTION|sections]]. Subject areas should be chosen carefully {{em|to simplify navigation}}; see [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Organizing disambiguation pages by subject area|Wikipedia:Organizing disambiguation pages by subject area]] for detailed guidance. Use subject areas that are well-defined, and that group the entries into similarly sized sections. Very small sections may impede navigation, and should usually be avoided. Section headings should be as simple as possible; '''Sports''' is preferred to '''Sports people''' or '''Sports figures''', since the nature of the category (people, in this case) should be obvious. | A large number of topics can make it difficult for a reader to find a particular topic. On longer disambiguation pages, separate entries by subject [[Wikipedia:WP:SECTION|sections]]. Subject areas should be chosen carefully {{em|to simplify navigation}}; see [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Organizing disambiguation pages by subject area|Wikipedia:Organizing disambiguation pages by subject area]] for detailed guidance. Use subject areas that are well-defined, and that group the entries into similarly sized sections. Very small sections may impede navigation, and should usually be avoided. Section headings should be as simple as possible; '''Sports''' is preferred to '''Sports people''' or '''Sports figures''', since the nature of the category (people, in this case) should be obvious. | ||
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On longer lists, {{tl|tocright}} may be used to move the table of contents to the right hand side of the page. This reduces the amount of white space and may improve the readability of the page. (For more information, see [[Wikipedia:Help:Section#Floating the TOC|Wikipedia:Floating the TOC]].) If used, {{tl|tocright}} should be placed after the lead section of the wiki markup and immediately before the first section heading. Users of screen readers do not expect any text between the TOC and the first heading, and having no text above the TOC is confusing. (For more information, see {{section link|UniWiki:Manual of Style/Accessibility|Article structure}}.) | On longer lists, {{tl|tocright}} may be used to move the table of contents to the right hand side of the page. This reduces the amount of white space and may improve the readability of the page. (For more information, see [[Wikipedia:Help:Section#Floating the TOC|Wikipedia:Floating the TOC]].) If used, {{tl|tocright}} should be placed after the lead section of the wiki markup and immediately before the first section heading. Users of screen readers do not expect any text between the TOC and the first heading, and having no text above the TOC is confusing. (For more information, see {{section link|UniWiki:Manual of Style/Accessibility|Article structure}}.) | ||
=Images and templates= | |||
Including images and transcluding templates are discouraged unless they aid in selecting between articles on the particular search term in question. Examples of this are the images at [[Wikipedia:Congo (disambiguation)|Congo (disambiguation)]] and [[Wikipedia:Mississippi Delta (disambiguation)|Mississippi Delta (disambiguation)]]. | Including images and transcluding templates are discouraged unless they aid in selecting between articles on the particular search term in question. Examples of this are the images at [[Wikipedia:Congo (disambiguation)|Congo (disambiguation)]] and [[Wikipedia:Mississippi Delta (disambiguation)|Mississippi Delta (disambiguation)]]. | ||
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Icons, including flag icons, should not be used on disambiguation pages. Only if flag topics are being disambiguated and images are needed to do so, then flag icons or flag images might be added. See also: [[UniWiki:Manual of Style/Icons]]. | Icons, including flag icons, should not be used on disambiguation pages. Only if flag topics are being disambiguated and images are needed to do so, then flag icons or flag images might be added. See also: [[UniWiki:Manual of Style/Icons]]. | ||
=The disambig notice and categorization= | |||
:''See also: [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Disambiguation#Categories|Wikipedia:Disambiguation#Categories]]'' | :''See also: [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Disambiguation#Categories|Wikipedia:Disambiguation#Categories]]'' | ||
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Do not use <code><nowiki>{{subst:disambig}}</nowiki></code> or <code><nowiki>{{subst:disambig-cleanup}}</nowiki></code>, as the contents of this notice may change in the future (see [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Transclusion costs and benefits|Wikipedia:Transclusion costs and benefits]]). Also, the MediaWiki software relies on links to the templates to determine which pages are disambiguation pages, and subst'ing breaks this feature. | Do not use <code><nowiki>{{subst:disambig}}</nowiki></code> or <code><nowiki>{{subst:disambig-cleanup}}</nowiki></code>, as the contents of this notice may change in the future (see [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Transclusion costs and benefits|Wikipedia:Transclusion costs and benefits]]). Also, the MediaWiki software relies on links to the templates to determine which pages are disambiguation pages, and subst'ing breaks this feature. | ||
= Exceptions = | |||
== Set index articles == | |||
[[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Set index articles|Set index articles]] are [[UniWiki:Manual of Style/Lists|list articles]] about a set of items {{em|of a specific type}} that have similar or identical names. '''Set index articles are not disambiguation pages''' and do not have to follow the style outlined on this page. Note that the set index article exception was designed to be narrow: for pages that contain links to articles about different topics, please follow this style guide for disambiguation pages. An example of a set index article is a list of ships with the same name, such as [[Wikipedia:HMS Albatross|HMS ''Albatross'']]. | [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Set index articles|Set index articles]] are [[UniWiki:Manual of Style/Lists|list articles]] about a set of items {{em|of a specific type}} that have similar or identical names. '''Set index articles are not disambiguation pages''' and do not have to follow the style outlined on this page. Note that the set index article exception was designed to be narrow: for pages that contain links to articles about different topics, please follow this style guide for disambiguation pages. An example of a set index article is a list of ships with the same name, such as [[Wikipedia:HMS Albatross|HMS ''Albatross'']]. | ||
== Disambiguation pages with only two entries == | |||
:''See also: [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Disambiguation#Disambiguation page or hatnotes?|Wikipedia:Disambiguation page or hatnotes?]]'' | :''See also: [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Disambiguation#Disambiguation page or hatnotes?|Wikipedia:Disambiguation page or hatnotes?]]'' | ||
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If neither of the two meanings is primary, then a normal disambiguation page is still used at the base name. | If neither of the two meanings is primary, then a normal disambiguation page is still used at the base name. | ||
= When to break UniWiki rules = | |||
:''See also: [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Ignore all rules|Wikipedia:Ignore all rules]]'' | :''See also: [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Ignore all rules|Wikipedia:Ignore all rules]]'' | ||
Application of these guidelines will generally produce useful disambiguation pages which are consistent with each other and therefore easily usable by most readers. Usefulness to the reader is their principal goal. However, for every style recommendation above, there may be pages in which a good reason exists to use another way; so ignore these guidelines if doing so will be more helpful to readers than following them. | Application of these guidelines will generally produce useful disambiguation pages which are consistent with each other and therefore easily usable by most readers. Usefulness to the reader is their principal goal. However, for every style recommendation above, there may be pages in which a good reason exists to use another way; so ignore these guidelines if doing so will be more helpful to readers than following them. | ||
= See also = | |||
* [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Disambiguation dos and don'ts|Disambiguation dos and don'ts]] (information page summarizing key points of this guideline) | * [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Disambiguation dos and don'ts|Disambiguation dos and don'ts]] (information page summarizing key points of this guideline) | ||
[[Category:UniWiki Manual of Style]] | [[Category:UniWiki Manual of Style]] | ||
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