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Revision as of 21:12, 28 August 2007 editDavid Fuchs (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Administrators44,903 edits condensing the lead somewhat (we go into detail in the following sections)← Previous edit Latest revision as of 19:01, 27 October 2024 edit undoJlwoodwa (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Page movers, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers76,200 edits remove duplicate "otherwise" 
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{{Hatnote|"WP:SW" redirects here. You may also be looking for ], ], ], or ].}}
⚫ {{subcat guideline|style guideline|Spoiler|WP:SPOILER|WP:SPOIL|WP:SW}}
{{redirects here|WP:PREVIEWS|previewing edits before publishing|H:PREVIEW
{{nutshell|Misplaced Pages contains revealing plot details of fictional works; this is expected. Spoiler warnings should only be used in articles about fictional subjects. When adding or removing a spoiler warning, be prepared to obtain consensus.}}
|page previews|mw:Page Previews}}
⚫ {{subcat guideline|content guideline|Spoiler|WP:PREVIEWS|WP:SPOIL|WP:SPOILER|WP:SPOILERS|WP:SPOILERALERT|WP:SW}}
{{nutshell|Spoilers are no different from any other content and should not be deleted solely because they are spoilers.}}


A ''']''' is a piece of information in an article about a narrative work (such as a book, feature film, television show or video game) that reveals ] ]s or ]s. Misplaced Pages articles may include ''']''' and no spoiler warnings. A spoiler is a piece of information about a narrative work (such as a book, film, television series, or a video game) that reveals ] points or ]. Articles on the Internet sometimes feature a spoiler warning to alert readers to spoilers in the text, which they may then choose to avoid reading. Misplaced Pages previously included such warnings in some articles, but no longer does so, except for the ] and section headings (such as "Plot" or "Ending"), which imply the presence of spoilers. The "]" guideline explains why spoiler warnings are no longer used on Misplaced Pages.


It is {{strong|not acceptable}} to add "spoiler warning" notices or to delete information from (or ] it within) an article because you think it spoils the plot. Such concerns must not interfere with ], encyclopedic tone, completeness, or any other element of article quality (e.g., the ]). When including spoilers, editors should make sure that an {{em|encyclopedic purpose}} is being served. Articles on a work of fiction should primarily describe it from a ], discussing its reception, impact, and significance.
Spoilers on the Internet are sometimes preceded by a spoiler warning.<ref>Examples include ], ], and ].</ref> In Misplaced Pages, however, it is generally expected that the subjects of our articles will be covered in detail. For purposes of style and clarity, the use of spoiler alerts is generally avoided unless a plot spoiler appears in a truly unexpected place. Because the overuse of spoiler warnings can have a damaging effect on article organization, they should be used sparingly, in such cases where consensus demonstrates the need for their use.


This guidance also applies to other relevant information beyond simple plot elements, such as "surprise" casting information for a publicly released film. Other aspects beyond prose, such as infobox materials and categories, are also considered to be within this guidance; it is not acceptable to remove a category that is otherwise well-defining for the work's plot that could be considered to spoil the plot.
Spoiler tags are an exception to our general guideline ], and the weight and significance of the disclaimers guideline should be considered when trying to form a consensus for their use. Concerns about revealing spoilers in an article's lead should be governed by the ]. There are additional considerations for deciding wether to include spoiler tags or not; for example, it is generally redundant to put the tags in sections marked 'Plot' or 'Plot Summary'.


== Other types of spoilers ==
It is not acceptable to delete information from an article about a work of fiction because you think it spoils the plot. Do not make spoiler-free parallel versions (]). Other unacceptable approaches include concealing spoilers using codes such as ], and setting the text and background colors to the same color using ].
The same reasoning for including spoilers when appropriate in articles on works of fiction applies to other types of "spoilers" as well; for example, the optimal strategy for games such as ], the workings of ]s, the solutions to ]s, the answers to ]s, the results of ] programs, and live radio and television events ] in certain areas of the world such as the ] and the ].


But note that this does not mean such information {{em|must}} be included, either. ]; it should contain information appropriate to an encyclopedia article on the subject.


==When spoiler warnings should not be used== == Why spoiler warnings are no longer used ==
Until late 2007, spoiler warnings, also known as spoiler disclaimers, were a frequent occurrence in Misplaced Pages articles about works of fiction. However, by 2007, some editors were also including spoiler warnings in articles about myths, folklore, fairy tales, and even biblical stories. After such a warning was ] to the article about '']'', other editors took notice and began questioning the prolific and unrestricted use of the disclaimers. After a series of long, contentious discussions,{{efn|For the main discussions, see:
*Spoiler warnings must not interfere with ], completeness, encyclopedic tone, or any other element of article quality.
* {{section link|Misplaced Pages:Templates for deletion/Log/2007 November 8#Template:Spoiler}}
*Spoiler warnings are usually inappropriate in articles discussing classical works of literature, poetry and theatre. In grey areas, editors placing spoiler templates should use the article's talk page to discuss the matter.
* ] (and many talk archives listed there), 2007
*Spoilers and spoiler warnings should not be used in articles on non-fictional subjects. If explicit spoilers<ref>An explicit spoiler mentions the work of fiction concerned.</ref> are mentioned in non-fiction articles (''e.g.'' articles on authors, actors, real-life locations in which fictional texts are set, or literary concepts like ]), consider whether the spoiler improves the encyclopedic quality of the article. It may be better to remove the example.
* ] (formerly Template talk:Spoiler), 2007
*Spoiler warnings are usually redundant when used to cover an entire "Plot" or "Synopsis" heading, or fictional "History" headings of any sort in articles whose subject is fictional, since spoilers are to be expected in a plot summary. If readers can easily deduce what is to be covered within a titled section, then there is no need to insert additional warning tags. If a section is not explicitly tagged as a plot section, and it contains an unexpected spoiler, consider whether the article can be improved by better section titling.
* ], 2003–2004
*Spoiler warnings should not be used when they can be replaced by more accurate heading information. If a "Themes" heading starts with a plot description, the best thing to do is break the plot description into a separate heading. If there are no headings, it is usually better to add them.
}} several issues with spoiler warnings were identified:
*Articles about fictional characters, objects, or places can be expected to include significant elements of the story. They should only contain spoiler warnings around specific details that a reader might not expect to come across.


# There was no strong basis to exclude disclaimers for potential spoilers from the "]" guideline when many other disclaimers—such as warnings about offensive images or content and medical and legal disclaimers—would be of greater benefit to the reader.
==When spoiler warnings may be appropriate==
# No other academic, scholarly, or other professional publications that describe or analyze works of fiction, such as other encyclopedias, include disclaimers about spoilers when discussing said works.
* Spoiler notices may be appropriate when significant plot revelations appear in unexpected places, if there is consensus that this is necessary (note it on the talk page).
# Sections that frequently contain spoiler warnings—such as plot summaries, episode lists, character descriptions, etc.—were already clearly named to indicate that they contain plot details. Therefore, further disclaimers would be redundant and unnecessary.
* Spoiler notices are more likely to be appropriate in newer works than in older works. But consider using instead the {{tl|current fiction}} tag, which is consistent with the {{tl|current}} tag on current real-world events.
# Labeling a plot detail as a spoiler would require editors to use their own subjective opinions to interpret the significance of a plot detail and its likelihood of altering the enjoyment of the work of fiction. This would be a violation of Misplaced Pages's core policies of ], ], and ].
* Very rarely, a spoiler warning may appear in the article lead. Plot details that are not significant from an ''out-of-universe'' perspective should not be found in the lead at all. See ]


Supporters of spoiler warnings pointed out that it had become common practice on the Internet to give a warning about potential spoilers any time plot details were discussed—especially details about how a work of fiction ends—and that readers had come to expect such warnings as a form of courtesy even when most readers will ignore the disclaimers. Because of this, they argued that Misplaced Pages's policies and guidelines ]. However, editors could not reach a consensus about whether the presence of spoiler warnings in articles was an improvement to Misplaced Pages.
==How to add or remove spoiler warnings==
* Where it is appropriate, a '''{{]}}''' tag can be used to mark spoiler sections, with '''{{]}}''' to mark the end. Whether one is adding or removing, be sure to do both. Do not improvise such warnings in plain text.
* A reminder: before adding or removing a tag, as with any controversial information, it is helpful to check the talk page; others may already be discussing the tag in question, or may have consensus as to its presence or absence.


==Notes== == See also ==
* ]
{{reflist}}
* {{section link|Misplaced Pages:What Misplaced Pages is not#Misplaced Pages is not censored}}
* ]


== Notes ==
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Latest revision as of 19:01, 27 October 2024

"WP:SW" redirects here. You may also be looking for WikiProject Spoken Misplaced Pages, WikiProject Software, WikiProject Star Wars, or SWViewer. "WP:PREVIEWS" redirects here. For previewing edits before publishing, see H:PREVIEW. For page previews, see mw:Page Previews.
Blue tickThis page documents an English Misplaced Pages content guideline.
Editors should generally follow it, though exceptions may apply. Substantive edits to this page should reflect consensus. When in doubt, discuss first on this guideline's talk page.		Shortcuts
This page in a nutshell: Spoilers are no different from any other content and should not be deleted solely because they are spoilers.

Misplaced Pages articles may include spoilers and no spoiler warnings. A spoiler is a piece of information about a narrative work (such as a book, film, television series, or a video game) that reveals plot points or twists. Articles on the Internet sometimes feature a spoiler warning to alert readers to spoilers in the text, which they may then choose to avoid reading. Misplaced Pages previously included such warnings in some articles, but no longer does so, except for the content disclaimer and section headings (such as "Plot" or "Ending"), which imply the presence of spoilers. The "No disclaimers in articles" guideline explains why spoiler warnings are no longer used on Misplaced Pages.

It is not acceptable to add "spoiler warning" notices or to delete information from (or hide it within) an article because you think it spoils the plot. Such concerns must not interfere with neutral point of view, encyclopedic tone, completeness, or any other element of article quality (e.g., the lead section). When including spoilers, editors should make sure that an encyclopedic purpose is being served. Articles on a work of fiction should primarily describe it from a real-world perspective, discussing its reception, impact, and significance.

This guidance also applies to other relevant information beyond simple plot elements, such as "surprise" casting information for a publicly released film. Other aspects beyond prose, such as infobox materials and categories, are also considered to be within this guidance; it is not acceptable to remove a category that is otherwise well-defining for the work's plot that could be considered to spoil the plot.

Other types of spoilers

The same reasoning for including spoilers when appropriate in articles on works of fiction applies to other types of "spoilers" as well; for example, the optimal strategy for games such as tic-tac-toe, the workings of magic tricks, the solutions to logic puzzles, the answers to riddles, the results of reality television programs, and live radio and television events broadcast on a delay in certain areas of the world such as the Eurovision Song Contest and the Olympics.

But note that this does not mean such information must be included, either. Misplaced Pages is not a textbook, instruction manual, or video game guide; it should contain information appropriate to an encyclopedia article on the subject.

Why spoiler warnings are no longer used

Until late 2007, spoiler warnings, also known as spoiler disclaimers, were a frequent occurrence in Misplaced Pages articles about works of fiction. However, by 2007, some editors were also including spoiler warnings in articles about myths, folklore, fairy tales, and even biblical stories. After such a warning was added to the article about The Three Little Pigs, other editors took notice and began questioning the prolific and unrestricted use of the disclaimers. After a series of long, contentious discussions, several issues with spoiler warnings were identified:

  1. There was no strong basis to exclude disclaimers for potential spoilers from the "No disclaimers in articles" guideline when many other disclaimers—such as warnings about offensive images or content and medical and legal disclaimers—would be of greater benefit to the reader.
  2. No other academic, scholarly, or other professional publications that describe or analyze works of fiction, such as other encyclopedias, include disclaimers about spoilers when discussing said works.
  3. Sections that frequently contain spoiler warnings—such as plot summaries, episode lists, character descriptions, etc.—were already clearly named to indicate that they contain plot details. Therefore, further disclaimers would be redundant and unnecessary.
  4. Labeling a plot detail as a spoiler would require editors to use their own subjective opinions to interpret the significance of a plot detail and its likelihood of altering the enjoyment of the work of fiction. This would be a violation of Misplaced Pages's core policies of no original research, verifiability, and neutral point of view.

Supporters of spoiler warnings pointed out that it had become common practice on the Internet to give a warning about potential spoilers any time plot details were discussed—especially details about how a work of fiction ends—and that readers had come to expect such warnings as a form of courtesy even when most readers will ignore the disclaimers. Because of this, they argued that Misplaced Pages's policies and guidelines should not apply. However, editors could not reach a consensus about whether the presence of spoiler warnings in articles was an improvement to Misplaced Pages.

See also

Notes

  1. For the main discussions, see:
Categories: