The Elder Scrolls Wiki:Layout Guide

This Layout Guide is an official guide as to how an in-universe article should be structured. Feel free to discuss the Layout Guide on the talk page.

Title tag
Example:
 * Used to alter the appearance of the article's title at the top of a page.
 * Main uses include to italicize the name of a ship or a novel.
 * Do not use this to alter the actual title (ex: Only displaying "Title" instead of "Title (disambiguation)")

Eras tag
Example:
 * This tag inserts symbols in the title bar of the article, to indicate in which era the subject of the article exists in.
 * Symbols may also indicate if the article was a featured article in the past.
 * For usage instructions, see Template:Eras.
 * Is usually included in non-timeless articles such as characters, organizations, vehicles, weapons.

Otheruses or Youmay tags
Example:

Another example:
 * Generally used when it is possible that a user has found one article when they were actually looking for another of a similar or same name.
 * See The Elder Scrolls Wiki:Template messages/Redirects and Category:Disambiguation and redirection templates

Maintenance templates
Example:
 * A series of tags used when the article is in need of some sort of maintenance.
 * See Category:Maintenance templates

Header templates
Example:
 * These tags are used to indicate an article's level of canonicity, or if an article is a about a subject from a cancelled or future source.
 * See Category:Header templates.

Spoiler tag
Example:
 * Spoiler tags on an article alerts a user to any major plot spoilers that come from new sources that are less than a month old
 * See Template:Majorspoiler

Infobox
Example (for an article about a Nord character):


 * Used to present vital statistics of subject. Various infoboxes can be accessed by using the standard preloads just below the "Save page" button.
 * See The Elder Scrolls Wiki:Template messages/Infoboxes and Category:Infobox templates

Opening quote
Example: "The best techniques are passed on by the survivors..."

- Gaiden Shinji


 * An opening quote is welcome for almost any type of article.
 * Quotes can be said by the article's subject, or said by someone else about the article's subject.
 * Do not use links within a quote, unless it is the only mention in the article of a certain subject.

Article body
Example (for an article about a Character): Joe Bloggs was... (insert introductory sentence or paragraph)

Early days
... ... ...

Imperial Simulacrum
...

Duel with Jagar Tharn
...

Back from the dead
...
 * headings and subheadings are usually not required for very small articles.

Images
Example:
 * Images should be placed where they are most relevent and should not interrupt the flow or the aesthetics of the article.
 * Placing them immediately underneath a heading or subheading usually works quite well.
 * Images should typically alternate from the right-side to the left-side. If there is a long infobox at the start, multiple images can be left aligned until the infobox ends.

Quotes
Example: "Come, Nerevar. Friend or traitor, come."

- Dagoth Ur


 * In addition to the introductory quote, further quotes may be used throughout an article.
 * Quotes are usually placed immediately underneath a heading or subheading, though they can also be used between paragraphs.
 * Quotes are included "as-is", with the original spelling and formatting found in the source of the quote. In the case of a typo or other error, [sic] may be included to indicate that the error is from the original source and not the article.

Non-canon sections
Example: ... ...
 * Articles are allowed to contain non-canon information, provided that it is clearly labeled with the above tags.
 * See Category:Advisory templates

Spoiler sections
Example:

... ...


 * Articles can contain new spoiler information, provided that it is clearly marked with the above tags.
 * See Category:Advisory templates

Stub
Example (for a stub about a creature):
 * used at the bottom of the article body when the article is too vague or brief, AND when there is clearly more information that can be added
 * See The Elder Scrolls Wiki:Template messages/Stubs and Category:Stub templates

Character articles
Character Articles There are some guidelines for the organization of character articles within TESWiki. Though there is some flexibility, the following sections are typical:
 * 1) Biography provides an account of the notable events in the character's life. The level of detail in this section is up to the individual author. However, a middle ground between succinct and lengthy is generally preferable. It is generally expected that this section will be divided into subsections on lengthy articles, though the appropriate sectioning of this is left to the author.
 * 2) Personality and traits describes personality traits evident in the source material and how these influence the character's behavior. Examples should be given where possible.
 * 3) Skills and abilities or Powers and abilities for deities or magic characters is intended to show any notable abilities possessed by the character.
 * 4) Equipment can be used to give a brief description of any notable armor, weapons, or other equipment associated with the character.

Each of these sections may be further subdivided as appropriate.

Location articles
Province Articles

There are some guidelines for the organization of province articles within TESWiki. Ideally, they are organized into four main sections, with subsections and extra sections where appropriate: Each of these four sections may be further subdivided as appropriate. Note: if anything in particular is of overwhelming significance concerning the province, or a preponderance of information is available, a section of its own can be created.
 * 1) Description will include any information on the characteristics of the area itself, such as its location, its geological trends, its climate and ecosystem, and native vegetation. Also, any non-sentient fauna is to be described here. The key is to give a general overview of the location and its characteristics.
 * 2) *Note: when a province has particularly notable flora and fauna, an individual section can be created for such.
 * 3) History will cover all notable points in the location's history. Individual periods and major events can receive subsections.
 * 4) Inhabitants includes a description of the province's native or resident sentient species (where applicable) and any other notable inhabitants.
 * 5) *Note: if the local government is notably unique or of particular import, an individual section on it may be added. Furthermore, if the economy of the province plays a significant role, it can be given its own section. Culture and religion, apart from race culture, may also play a large role, and could then receive a section of its own, as well.
 * 6) Locations is set aside for notable specific locations in the province, such as cities, strongholds and geological formations.

Sentient race articles
Sentient Species Articles There are some guidelines for the organization of species articles within TESWiki. Ideally, they are organized into four main sections:
 * 1) Biology and appearance deals with the physical characteristics of the race. This includes descriptions of both their physical, instinctual and mental abilities, with particular emphasis on unique factors.
 * 2) Society and culture deals with the sociological organization of the race, including such features as language, temperament, and family and societal structures.
 * 3) History deals with the major events in the history of the race. This includes such events as wars, discovery by the global community, and other important epochs.
 * 4) [Race] in the world provides an overview of the species involvement in the global community with particular emphasis on race trends and notable individuals. Depending on the available information, this section in particular may be incorporated into the earlier sections.

Each of these four sections may be further subdivided as appropriate.

Non-sentient and semi-sentient species articles
Non-Sentient and Semi-Sentient Species Articles There are some guidelines for the organization of non-sentient and semi-sentient species articles within TESWiki. Ideally, they are organized into four main sections:
 * 1) Biology and appearance deals with the physical characteristics of the species. This includes descriptions of both their physical, instinctual and mental abilities, with particular emphasis on unique factors.
 * 2) Behavior (and intelligence) deals with the behavior and organization of the species, including such features as temperament along with societal, relational, reproductive and habitual characteristics. Any discussion on potential sentience or semi-sentience should be included in this section; Addition of "and intelligence" can be used in such articles to further explain the discussion.
 * 3) History deals with the major events in the history of the species. This includes such events as wars, discovery by the global community, and other important epochs.
 * 4) [Species] in the world provides an overview of the species involvement in the global community with particular emphasis on species trends and appearances. Depending on the available information, this section in particular may be incorporated into the earlier sections.

Each of these four sections may be further subdivided as appropriate.

Behind the scenes (notice the capitalization)

 * portrayal information
 * origin of subject - subject's first appearance, who was responsible for creating and/or naming the subject, how the subject came about, was it based on anything, who did the concept art, etc.
 * retcon information - how (if) subject's story has been changed in a retcon
 * any related non-canon information
 * contradictions - point out if one official source contradicts another, and which (if any) is accepted as canon
 * speculation - only included if the speculation is WIDELY believed by fans, or any speculation made by authors

Appearances

 * Bulleted list of games, novels, comics, etc. that the subject has appeared in
 * These are de facto references or sources, but they are listed separately because they are in-universe
 * Includes even the smallest mentions in dialogue, narration, or visual appearance
 * Should be sorted in order of in-universe chronology
 * If a subject's appearance in a specific film/book/comic is only a brief mention, apply the Mo template.
 * For a subject's first appearance in the saga (in order of publication, not in order of internal chronology), use the 1st.
 * If a subject's first appearance in the saga is only a mere mention, use the 1stm template, e.g. for Sheogorath:
 * The Elder Scrolls: Arena
 * The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
 * A subject might not be named in its first appearance, but is identified in a later source. In this case, use 1st and 1stID, e.g. for Cyrodiil:
 * The Elder Scrolls: Arena
 * The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
 * For novels, make reference to the actual book, not the series.
 * Format: name of title only, e.g.:
 * The Elder Scrolls: Arena
 * The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
 * For generic comments, use C.
 * See The Elder Scrolls Wiki:Template messages/Sources of articles for other applicable templates.

Succession box
Succession boxes serve two purposes: to list the time period for which an individual held a certain post/title, and to provide links to the next known predecessor and/or successor. Due to the tendency of contributors to insert speculation and fanon into succession boxes, part of the TESWiki community dislikes them. To avoid issues and disputes, it is best to follow these "do nots":
 * Do not insert succession boxes for titles that were unique to a certain individual and, therefore, result in no predecessors or successors. The same applies if the individual is the only known holder of the title.
 * Do not insert succession boxes if the individual's position in the succession sequence is unclear.
 * Do not insert succession boxes for something that is not a proper title.

All succession boxes should be contained within two templates: Start box and End box. This ensures that there are no line breaks within succession boxes. Within the Succession box, there are six possible fields to insert information:
 * title: This field is for the title of the succession box. It is required.
 * years: This field is for the years the position was held or the events occurred. Please limit this to one tenure, and repeat succession boxes as necessary. This field is also required.
 * before: This field is for the nearest known predecessor. See below for conditions.
 * before-years: This field is for the years of the nearest known predecessor.
 * after: This field is for the nearest known successor. See below for conditions.
 * after-years: This field is for the years of the nearest known successor.

If the individual was the first (last) person to bear a certain title, the "before" input ("after" input) should list "None" without any punctuation. If there are no known predecessors/successors, the corresponding fields should be left blank. However, if there are some known predecessors/successors, the section should read "Eventually ".

In contrast, "Unknown" should not be used in the dates of succession boxes. (Example: "Unknown–0 ABY" should only be "&mdash;0 ABY") See The Elder Scrolls Wiki:Manual of Style/Proper use of the dash for more information.

Notes and references

 * List of sources for information in the "Behind the scenes" section.
 * Items are added to the list by placing after the information tidbit in question.
 * To get the references to show up in this section, use the Reflist template.

Category

 * Every article should have at least one category
 * Categories should be listed in alphabetical order
 * People should be categorized by their last name; for example,
 * An update to MediaWiki now allows use of DEFAULTSORT to eliminate unnecessary coding while still achieving the same result:


 * Articles beginning with an article ("a," "an," or "the") should be categorized by the first significant word; for example,.
 * Articles placed in categories should not also be placed in that category's master category; for example, articles in Category:Extinct races should not also be placed in Category:Races.

Interwiki links

 * Links to other Elder Scrolls wikis
 * Interwiki links should be listed in alphabetical order and are placed after an article's categories.

Example German interwiki link Example Spanish interwiki link