Manual of Style
The Manual of Style (MoS) establishes standards for editing used throughout this Wiki. Its purpose is to ensure every page is clear, consistent, easy to maintain, and easy to navigate.
This guide is intended for all contributors. While exceptions may exist, editors should follow these conventions whenever appropriate. If an established article already follows a consistent style, avoid making unnecessary stylistic changes solely for personal preference.
General principles
Every article should strive to be:
- Clear and concise.
- Factually accurate.
- Easy to navigate.
- Consistent with similar pages.
- Written from a neutral point of view.
- Easy to maintain for other users.
When multiple acceptable formatting choices exist, choose the option already established throughout the wiki.
Language
The Knightspire Wiki is written exclusively in English; British or American standard english. Exceptions may only apply for in-world languages, provided a translation of the text is displayed with an OORP marker.
Avoid mixing American and British spelling within the same article.
Example for translated text, in this case from Seireijin-related news:
早川万歳！ 石川万歳！ 郷領生万歳！
(OORP Translation:) Hayakawa Banzai! Ishikawa Banzai! Gōryōsei Banzai!
Write in a formal, encyclopedic tone unless a page intentionally contains in-universe text.
Point of view
Documentation and encyclopedia articles should remain objective.
Do not write:
The Kingdom is incredibly powerful and has the best army.
Instead write:
The Kingdom possesses one of the largest standing armies in southern Knightspire, rivaling its neighbours in manpower and resources.
Avoid first-person and second-person language.
Do not write:
- We recommend...
- Our server...
Instead write:
- Players may...
- The server uses...
Article titles
Use concise, recognizable names.
Prefer:
- Iron Sword
- Piotrgrod (Lordship)
- Henry of Ledtshov
Avoid unnecessary prefixes or suffixes.
Do not create titles like:
- The Iron Sword
- The Lordship of Piotrgrod
- Sir Henry of the Lordship of Ledtshov
Disambiguate only when necessary.
Article structure
Most articles should follow a consistent layout.
Example:
Lead == History == == Description == == Location == == Notes == == Gallery == == See also ==
Only include sections that are relevant. Avoid empty headings. Layouts are not standardized.
Headings
Use logical heading levels.
Example:
== History == === Early settlement === === Modern era ==
Do not skip heading levels.
Avoid links inside headings.
Incorrect:
== [[History]] ==
Correct:
== History == [[Main|History]]
Images
Images should improve understanding of the article.
Every image should:
- Be relevant.
- Have a descriptive filename.
- Include a caption.
- Be placed near the content it illustrates.
Avoid decorative images that do not contribute useful information.
Infoboxes
Use an appropriate infobox whenever one exists.
Infoboxes should summarize important information, not replace the article body.
Avoid duplicating large amounts of information already contained within the article.
Categories
Every article should belong to at least one category.
Categories should describe what a page is, not every topic it mentions.
Example:
[[Category:Villages]] [[Category:Fürstenmark]]
Do not over-categorize.
Templates
Use existing templates whenever possible.
Avoid duplicating template functionality.
Templates should:
- Be reusable.
- Be well documented.
- Have predictable parameters.
- Avoid unnecessary parser functions.
File names
Use descriptive filenames.
Prefer:
- Volkdorf Marketplace.png
- Iron Sword.png
Avoid:
- image1.png
- screenshot12.png
Quotes
Use quotations only when necessary.
Long quotations should use blockquote formatting.
Do not alter quoted material except to indicate omissions or clarifications where appropriate.
Maintenance
Editors are encouraged to improve articles whenever possible.
Common improvements include:
- Correcting grammar.
- Improving formatting.
- Adding citations.
- Updating outdated information.
- Expanding incomplete articles.
- Adding and fixing categories.
Major structural changes should be discussed before altering well-established pages.