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AnmaFinotera (talk | contribs)
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m Reverted 1 edit by Ursasapien; Rv; there was NOT a clear consensus there, indeed the majority of remarks opposed. using TW
Ursasapien (talk | contribs)
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Revert to revision 183122570 dated 2008-01-09 05:31:35 by Ursasapien using popups
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* {{ For|the archive of the former guideline|Wikipedia:Centralized discussion/Television episodes}}
{{mergeto|Manual of Style (writing about fiction)|Wikipedia_talk:Manual_of_Style_%28writing_about_fiction%29#Needs_revision|date=December 2007}}<br>
* {{ For|information on establishing the notability of television episodes|Wikipedia:Notability (fiction) }}
{{Disputedtag}}
* {{ For|information on writing style conventions for fiction|Wikipedia:Manual of Style (writing about fiction) }}
{{subcat guideline|content guideline|Television episodes|WP:EPISODE}}
* {{ For|information on how to write an article on an episode of a television program|Wikipedia:WikiProject Television/How to write an episode article }}
{{nutshell
* {{ For|information on naming conventions for television articles|Wikipedia:Naming conventions (television) }}
| Stick to the [[WP:MOS|Manual of Style]]—specifically [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style (writing about fiction)|writing about fiction]]—when writing pages to keep an "out-of-universe" perspective. Articles for individual episodes should assert their [[Wikipedia:Notability|notability]] and be fully [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifiable]].
* {{ For|the general WikiProject working on television articles|Wikipedia:WikiProject Television }}
| Check with [[Wikipedia:Image use policy|the image use policy]] before adding images to any article.
* {{ For|the discussion that led to the rejection of the guideline|Wikipedia talk:Centralized discussion/Television episodes/Archive Special }}
| Avoid creating lists of [[WP:TRIVIA|trivia]]; instead, incorporate relevant information into the body of the article.
}}


{{disambig}}
Wikipedia contains many articles on '''television episodes'''. The following guideline aims to promote the creation of high-quality articles about television shows and their episodes. This includes '''lists of episodes''', '''television series/season articles''', and '''television program articles'''.

== Process for creating articles on television episodes ==

All articles on Wikipedia must meet '''[[Wikipedia:Notability|notability guidelines]]''', which state that:

<blockquote>
''A topic is presumed to be notable if it has received significant coverage in [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources|reliable sources]] that are [[Wikipedia:Verifiability#Sources|independent]] of the subject.''
</blockquote>

It is important to bear this in mind when creating articles, and it is likely that each individual episode of a television series ''will not'' be notable on its own, simply because there are not enough secondary sources available. [[WP:NOT#PLOT|What Wikipedia is not]] explains this further:

<blockquote>
''Wikipedia articles on works of fiction should contain real-world context and sourced analysis, offering detail on a work's achievements, impact or historical significance.''
</blockquote>

While each episode ''on its own'' may not qualify for an article, it is quite likely that sources can be found to support a series or season page, where all the episodes in one season (or series) are presented on one page. (See examples listed below). Such pages must still be notable, and contain out-of-universe context, and not merely be a list of episode titles or cast and crew: [[WP:NOT#DIR|Wikipedia is not a directory]].

Over time, you might find that some episodes or story-arcs have enough real-world information to warrant their own article. Such an episode can be broken out into its own page.

=== Process ===

* Create page for the television PROGRAMME.
:: ''Once there's enough verifiable information independent of the show itself, then:''
* Create a page for each series/season, or a "List of episodes" page with every season/series.
:: ''If there is enough verifiable information from secondary sources about individual episodes, then:''
* Create pages for outstanding episodes.

== How to write a good season or episode page ==

All television pages must conform to Wikipedia content policies, including, but not limited to, '''[[Wikipedia:Verifiability]]''' and '''[[Wikipedia:No original research]]'''. In addition, '''[[Wikipedia:Manual of Style (writing about fiction)]]''' has its own requirements, most particularly since:

<blockquote>
''Wikipedia is an out-of-universe source, and all articles about fiction and elements of fiction should take an overall out-of-universe perspective.''
</blockquote>

In other words, the articles do not exist merely to retell the story (which is classed as a [[derivative work]] or a copyright violation) but to provide encyclopaedic information about the creation, production and reception of television programmes. Remember, the article should not attempt to be a replacement for watching the show itself, it should be about the show.

=== What a page should contain ===

* A brief summary of the episode's plot (see below)
* How the episode was received by critics
* Information on production and broadcasting of the episode
* Real-world factors that have influenced the work or fictional element

=== Plot summaries ===

The only purpose of plot summaries is to provide context for the rest of the information. [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style (writing about fiction)]] states:

<blockquote>
''As the Wikipedia servers are located in the U.S. state of Florida, Wikipedia articles must conform to U.S. copyright laws. It has been held in a number of court cases that any work which re-tells original ideas from a fictional source, in sufficient quantity without adding information about that work, or in some way analysing and explaining it, may be construed as a [[derivative work]] or a copyright violation...Information about copyright fictional worlds and plots of works of fiction can be provided only under a claim of [[fair use]], and [[Wikipedia:Fair use criteria|Wikipedia's fair-use policy]] holds that "the amount of copyrighted work used should be as little as possible".''
</blockquote>

As a rough guide, this amounts to no more than ten words per minute of screen time. For example, a 45 minute episode would warrant no more than 450 words.

=== Reliable sources ===

Wikipedia is not the place to record [[Wikipedia:No original research|original research]] or speculation. All discussion and interpretation of television episodes must be supported by reliable, published sources. [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources]] states that:

<blockquote>
''Reliable sources are credible published materials with a reliable publication process; their authors are generally regarded as trustworthy, or are authoritative in relation to the subject at hand...Using reliable sources assures the reader that what is being presented meets the Wikipedia standards for [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verifiability]] and [[Wikipedia:No original research|originality]]. Accurate [[Wikipedia:Citing sources|citation]] allows the reader to go to those sources and gives appropriate credit to the author of the work.''
</blockquote>

An actual episode may be used as a source for information about the episode and constitutes a [[Wikipedia:No original research#Primary, secondary, and tertiary sources|primary source]]. Such use does not constitute original research if it is used to verify a fact. However, the episode cannot be used to justify an interpretation.

=== Non-free images ===

The primary purpose of non-free images on Wikipedia is for information rather than decoration. Non-free images (copyrighted images such as screen shots, DVD covers or publicity posters) must meet the [[Wikipedia:Non-free content#Images|non-free content guidelines]] which allows them to be used only to aid critical commentary or discussion. Add images only when you are familiar with [[Wikipedia:Image use policy]].

=== Using an "out-of-universe" approach ===
[[Wikipedia:Manual of Style (writing about fiction)]] states:

<blockquote>
''Wikipedia is an out-of-universe source, and all articles about fiction and elements of fiction should take an overall out-of-universe perspective.''
</blockquote>

This means writing about television programmes from a real-world perspective (ie. discussing the piece as fiction, rather from the perspective of one of the characters, or as if the events had really happened).

=== Things to avoid ===

; Trivia sections
: [[WP:TRIV|Trivia sections]] are unencyclopaedic, and [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information|Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information]]. Relevant information should be integrated into the body of the article.

; Quotations
: Extensive use of these may breach copyright. Also, [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information|Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information]]. Consider adding these to [[Wikiquote]] instead.

; Lists of featured music or song lyrics
: Original song lyrics for a television episode breach copyright. References to featured music should be supported by reliable sources to establish notability. Do not just list music: [[WP:NOT#DIR|Wikipedia is not a directory]].

; Technical errors and continuity issues ("bloopers" or "goofs")
: Unsourced sections about technical errors or [[Continuity (fiction)|continuity]] issues should generally be avoided. If there is a major mistake that is discussed by a reliable source it can become a part of the production section.

== Dealing with problem articles ==

If the article(s) contain little content, consider [[WP:MERGE|merging]] or redirecting them into another article (e.g. an article about the show itself, an article that is a list of episodes of the show, or an article that summarizes the plot for one season of the show).

To start this process, tag the article(s) with '''{{tlx|notability|episode}}''' on the page. (A proposed process for reviewing problem articles can be found at: [[Wikipedia:Television article review process]].) If the same editor appears to have created a large number of problematic articles, please refer them to this page. Avoid listing episodes for AfD unless they are completely unverifiable and original research.

'''Note:''' [[Wikipedia:Stub|Stubs]] are allowed on Wikipedia and many articles are stubs. It may be inappropriate to merge or redirect an article about a television episode just because it is a stub. Before executing a merge, ask yourself:

* ''Will the merge reduce the quality or coherence of the target article?''
* ''Are more sources available?'' (Do some basic looking for additional source material that could be used to improve the article.)

If the answer to either of these questions is "yes", it is probably better to avoid merging or redirecting. Instead, consider improving it, or offer suggestions for its improvement on the talk page.

== Examples of good pages ==

Below are examples of each type of article that have all reached [[WP:FEATURED|featured article]] or [[Wikipedia:Featured lists|featured list]] status.

=== Programme pages ===

* ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''
* ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''
* ''[[Doctor Who]]''

=== "List of" pages ===

* [[List of Avatar: The Last Airbender episodes|List of ''Avatar: The Last Airbender'' episodes]]
* [[List of Lost episodes|List of ''Lost'' episodes]]
* [[List of The Sopranos episodes|List of ''The Sopranos'' episodes]]

=== Season pages ===

* [[The Simpsons (season 8)|''The Simpsons'' (season 8)]]
* [[Lost (season 3)|''Lost'' (season 3)]]

=== Episode pages ===

* "[[Abyssinia, Henry]]" - episode of ''[[M*A*S*H (TV series)|M*A*S*H]]''
* "[[Pilot (House)|Pilot]]" - first episode of ''[[House (TV series)|House]]''
* "[[A Streetcar Named Marge]]" - episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]''
* "[[Through the Looking Glass (Lost)|Through the Looking Glass]]" - episode of ''[[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]''

== See also ==

* [[Wikipedia:Notability (fiction)]]
* [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style (writing about fiction)]]
* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Television/How to write an episode article]] - WikiProject guidelines and tips for articles on television episodes
* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Films/Style guidelines#Plot | WikiProject Films guidelines on plot summaries]]
* [[WP:DEADLINE]] & [[Wikipedia:The world will not end tomorrow]] - 2 [[WP:ESSAY|essays]]

Revision as of 05:59, 9 January 2008

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Television_episodes&oldid=183125845"