Changes: Memory Alpha:Featured article policies

Revision as of 07:20, 17 April 2015

About → Policies and guidelines → Featured article policies

This page describes one of Memory Alpha's policies and guidelines.
Please read through the policy below to familiarize yourself with our common practices and rules.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or complaints, please post them on the talk page.

Featured articles are considered to be examples of Memory Alpha's best work and are showcased on main page and in the portals. They are especially well-written, informative, and comprehensive articles that cover all available information on a subject. As such, it is crucial that the following policies and guidelines concerning featured articles be observed - as they are intended to maintain adequate standards of quality for the list.

Nominations

If you know of an article you think meets the featured article criteria, you can nominate it on the featured article nominations page.

Discussing nominations

Any registered user that has been in existence for at least two weeks or with at least twenty significant contributions can participate in nominations.
An archivist may start more than one nomination, provided that the overall number of concurrent nominations doesn't exceed two.
Starting a nomination is considered a vote in support of the article.
At least one additional vote is required.
Be sure that you are familiar with the entire article before you form an opinion and vote.
If you approve of an article, write '''Support''' followed by your reasons.
If you have any objections, write '''Oppose''' followed by your reasons.
If you want to comment without supporting or opposing, you may do so.
To withdraw a vote, strike it out (with <s>...</s>) rather than removing it.
As always, sign your comments (~~~~). This is important to keep track of voting.

Frivolous nominations and/or objections, for example ones that have nothing to do with the featured article criteria and/or purely based on personal preference, are considered invalid and may be removed by administrators without notice.

Resolving nominations

A nomination can generally be resolved if it has been inactive for fourteen days, meaning that there were no new votes or work done to resolve objections in that time, or if there is no indication of a resolution after six weeks. The following results are possible:

If there was unanimous support for the article or all objections are resolved, the nomination is successful and the current revision of the article becomes the featured one. This should be done by adding the {{featured}} template to the bottom of the article.
If there are unresolved objections or less than two votes, the article is considered in dispute, and the the nomination is unsuccessful.
Nominations with five or more unanimous votes, either in support or objecting to the article, can be resolved after fourteen days, though the fifth vote must have been cast at least 24 hours before the nomination is resolved.

Any objections to the article's blurb are independent of the article itself, though a successful nomination can not end until 24 hours after all objections to the blurb are resolved. When a nomination discussion is resolved, it should be placed at the top of that article's talk page; with a link placed in the nomination archive.

Renominating an article

If a nomination has been unsuccessful for whatever reason, the article may be suggested again after a waiting period of four weeks from the date of the initial rejection. This time should be used to address any unresolved objections that were made during the initial nomination process.

Reviews

Featured articles can, and should, be brought up for review from time to time to ensure that they are still an example of Memory Alpha's best work. It is expected that these articles will have undergone revisions over time to keep them up to date, and it's important to make sure that these revisions have maintained the quality expected of a featured article.

Any featured article more than six months old can be listed on the featured article reviews page. If you feel the current revision of a feature article is just as good, or better, than the featured revision, it should be added to the "uphold" section on the discussion page. If you feel that an article currently listed as a featured article needs to be removed from the feature article list, for example because it has been significantly changed for the worst, it should be listed on the discussion page in the "remove" section. Either way, be sure to state the reason(s) why you think the article should be reviewed; then add the {{far}} template to the top of the article in question while leaving an edit summary informing other members that it was listed for review.

Review discussions

Any registered user that has been in existence for at least two weeks and with at least twenty significant contributions can participate in review discussions.
An archivist may start more than one review, provided that the overall number of concurrent reviews doesn't exceed five.
Starting a review is considered a vote in support for the suggested course of action.
At least one additional vote is required.
Be sure that you are familiar with the entire article before you form an opinion and vote.
If you approve of the suggested action, write '''Support''' followed by your reasons.
If you have any objections, write '''Oppose''' followed by your reasons.
The rational for supporting or objecting to the suggested action should be directly related to one or more of the featured article criteria. Rational purely based on personal preference is considered invalid.
If you wish to request more time to make minor changes or read the article, write '''Hold''' followed by your reasons and how long you think you would need. Generally, holds should only be for a few days at most.
If you want to comment without supporting or opposing, you may do so.
To withdraw a vote, strike it out (with <s>...</s>) rather than removing it.
As always, sign your comments (~~~~). This is important to keep track of voting.

Frivolous reviews, for example ones that have nothing to do with the featured article criteria, may be removed by administrators without notice.

Resolving reviews

The following results are possible:

If support to uphold the article's featured status during the review is unanimous, or all objections are resolved, the current revision of the article becomes the featured revision after fourteen days. This should be done by updating the featured revision ID and date in the {{featured}} template at the bottom of the article.
If the majority of votes cast are for removal after fourteen days, the article will be removed from the featured article list.
Reviews with five or more unanimous votes, either to uphold or remove the article, can be resolved after seven days, though the fifth vote must have been cast at least 24 hours before the review is resolved.
Reviews that do not have unanimous support to uphold the article, a majority to remove it from the feature article list, or two votes after fourteen days of inactivity are considered deadlocked, and the original revision will remain the featured one.

Any objections to the main page blurb are independent of the article, though a review to uphold a featured article can not end until 24 hours after all objections to the blurb are resolved. When a review is resolved, it should be placed with the nomination discussion on the article's talk page, and a link should be placed in the archive.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{ma nav|Policies and guidelines}}
 {{policy}}
-'''Featured articles''' are considered to be examples of Memory Alpha's best work and are showcased on the [[Main Page|main page]]. They are especially well-written, informative, and comprehensive articles that cover all available information on a subject. As such, it is crucial that the following policies and guidelines concerning the nomination of featured articles be observed - they are intended to maintain adequate standards of quality for the list.
+'''Featured articles''' are considered to be examples of Memory Alpha's best work and are showcased on [[Portal:Main|main page]] and in the [[:Category:Memory Alpha portals|portals]]. They are especially well-written, informative, and comprehensive articles that cover all available information on a subject. As such, it is crucial that the following policies and guidelines concerning featured articles be observed - as they are intended to maintain adequate standards of quality for the list.
 == Nominations ==
+If you know of an article you think meets the {{ma|featured article criteria}}, you can nominate it on the {{ma|featured article nominations}} page.
-=== Nominating an article ===
-Featured article candidates are nominated on [[Memory Alpha:Nominations for featured articles|Nominations for featured articles]].
-*Any registered user may nominate articles, one at a time. Before nominating a second article, the first one must be resolved.
-*Before nominating an article, make sure it fulfills the [[Memory Alpha:Featured article criteria|Featured article criteria]]. Consider letting other editors copyedit or comment on the article to make sure that potential flaws are detected and eliminated.
-*It is allowed to nominate articles you worked on yourself, just make sure to mark any such nominations as a '''self-nomination'''.
-*If you nominate an article, you are expected to address valid objections that are raised.
 === Discussing nominations ===
-*Any registered user that has been in existence for at least two weeks and with at least twenty significant contributions can participate in nominations. You should not vote on an article you nominated.
+*Any registered user that has been in existence for at least two weeks or with at least twenty significant contributions can participate in nominations.
+*An archivist may start more than one nomination, provided that the overall number of concurrent nominations doesn't exceed '''two'''.
-*Before voting, be sure that you are familiar with the ''entire'' article before you form an opinion. This is only fair to the writers of the article, as it's likely that several hours' work went into writing it!
-*If you approve of an article, write <nowiki>'''Support'''</nowiki> followed by your reasons. The nomination of an article is considered a vote of support unless it's a self-nomination.
+*Starting a nomination is considered a vote in support of the article.
+*At least '''one additional vote''' is required.
-*If you have any objections, write <nowiki>'''Oppose'''</nowiki> followed by your reasons. Any objections should be directly related to one or more of the [[Memory Alpha:Featured article criteria|Featured article criteria]]. Objections purely based on personal preference are considered invalid.
+*Be sure that you are familiar with the ''entire'' article before you form an opinion and vote.
+*If you approve of an article, write <nowiki>'''Support'''</nowiki> followed by your reasons.
+*If you have any objections, write <nowiki>'''Oppose'''</nowiki> followed by your reasons.
 *If you want to comment without supporting or opposing, you may do so.
-*To withdraw an objection, strike it out (with <tt><nowiki><s>...</s></nowiki></tt>) rather than removing it.
+*To withdraw a vote, strike it out (with <tt><nowiki><s>...</s></nowiki></tt>) rather than removing it.
 *As always, sign your comments (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>). This is important to keep track of voting.
+Frivolous nominations and/or objections, for example ones that have nothing to do with the {{ma|featured article criteria}} and/or purely based on personal preference, are considered invalid and may be removed by administrators without notice.
 === Resolving nominations ===
-A nomination can be resolved if it has been inactive for '''fourteen days''', meaning that there were no new votes or work done to resolve objections in that time, or after a total of '''6 weeks''' without any indication of resolution. The following results are possible:
+A nomination can generally be resolved if it has been '''inactive for fourteen days''', meaning that there were no new votes or work done to resolve objections in that time, or if there is no indication of a resolution after '''six weeks'''.
+The following results are possible:
-*Less than '''five''' votes, whether supporting or opposing: The nomination is considered unsuccessful and removed from the list.
+*If there was '''unanimous support''' for the article or '''all objections are resolved''', the nomination is successful and the current revision of the article becomes the featured one. This should be done by adding the {{tl|featured}} template to the bottom of the article.
-*'''Five''' or more votes with '''objections'''. The article is considered in dispute, therefor the nomination is unsuccessful and removed from the list.
-*'''Five''' or more votes '''without objections''' or with '''all objections resolved'''. The nomination is considered successful and removed from the list.
+*If there are '''unresolved objections''' or less than '''two votes''', the article is considered in dispute, and the the nomination is unsuccessful.
+*Nominations with '''five or more''' unanimous votes, either in support or objecting to the article, can be resolved after '''fourteen days''', though the fifth vote must have been cast at least '''24 hours''' before the nomination is resolved.
-The nomination discussion should be placed at the top of that article's [[Help:talk pages|talk page]]; with a link placed in the [[Memory Alpha:Nominations for featured articles/Archive|nomination archive]].
+Any objections to the article's blurb are independent of the article itself, though a successful nomination can not end until '''24 hours after''' all objections to the blurb are resolved. When a nomination discussion is resolved, it should be placed at the top of that article's [[Help:talk pages|talk page]]; with a link placed in the {{ma|Featured article nominations/Archive|nomination archive}}.
 === Renominating an article ===
-If a nomination has been unsuccessful for whatever reason, the article may be suggested again after a waiting period of '''four weeks''' from the date of the initial rejection. Before re-nominating, any unresolved objections that were made during the initial nomination process should be addressed.
+If a nomination has been unsuccessful for whatever reason, the article may be suggested again after a waiting period of '''four weeks''' from the date of the initial rejection. This time should be used to address any unresolved objections that were made during the initial nomination process.
+== Reviews ==
-== Reconfirming featured articles ==
-Ever two years a '''[[MA:FA|featured article]]''' will need to be brought up for '''reconfirmation''', to ensure it is still an example of Memory Alpha's best work. It is expected that these articles will have undergone revisions over that time to keep them up to date, and it's important to make sure that these revisions have maintained the quality expected of a featured article. Featured articles requiring reconfirmation are listed on the [[Memory Alpha:Reconfirmation of featured articles|Reconfirmation of featured articles]] page.
+'''{{ma|Featured articles}}''' can, and should, be brought up for '''review''' from time to time to ensure that they are still an example of Memory Alpha's best work. It is expected that these articles will have undergone revisions over time to keep them up to date, and it's important to make sure that these revisions have maintained the quality expected of a featured article.
+Any featured article more than '''six months''' old can be listed on the {{ma|featured article reviews}} page. If you feel the current revision of a feature article is just as good, or better, than the featured revision, it should be added to the "{{ma|featured article reviews#Uphold|uphold}}" section on the discussion page. If you feel that an article currently listed as a featured article needs to be removed from the feature article list, for example because it has been significantly changed for the worst, it should be listed on the discussion page in the "{{ma|featured article reviews#Remove|remove}}" section. Either way, be sure to '''state the reason(s) why you think the article should be reviewed'''; then add the {{tl|far}} template to the top of the article in question while leaving an [[Help:edit summary|edit summary]] informing other members that it was listed for review.
-=== Reconfirmation discussions ===
-*Any registered user that has been in existence for at least two weeks and with at least twenty significant contributions can participate in reconfirmations.
+=== Review discussions ===
-*An archivist may only bring up one article for reconfirmation at a time, and at least one vote needs to be cast. Unlike the an [[#Nominations|nomination]], starting a reconfirmation discussion isn't a vote, so you will need to state any preference separately.
+*Any registered user that has been in existence for at least two weeks and with at least twenty significant contributions can participate in review discussions.
+*An archivist may start more than one review, provided that the overall number of concurrent reviews doesn't exceed '''five'''.
+*Starting a review is considered a vote in '''support''' for the suggested course of action.
+*At least '''one additional vote''' is required.
+*Be sure that you are familiar with the ''entire'' article before you form an opinion and vote.
+*If you approve of the suggested action, write <nowiki>'''Support'''</nowiki> followed by your reasons.
+*If you have any objections, write <nowiki>'''Oppose'''</nowiki> followed by your reasons.
+*The rational for supporting or objecting to the suggested action should be directly related to one or more of the {{ma|featured article criteria}}. Rational purely based on personal preference is considered invalid.
+*If you wish to request more time to make minor changes or read the article, write <nowiki>'''Hold'''</nowiki> followed by your reasons and how long you think you would need. Generally, holds should only be for a few days at most.
 *If you want to comment without supporting or opposing, you may do so.
+*To withdraw a vote, strike it out (with <tt><nowiki><s>...</s></nowiki></tt>) rather than removing it.
+*As always, sign your comments (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>). This is important to keep track of voting.
+Frivolous reviews, for example ones that have nothing to do with the {{ma|featured article criteria}}, may be removed by {{ma|administrators}} without notice.
-=== Resolving reconfirmations ===
+=== Resolving reviews ===
-The following two results are possible:
+The following results are possible:
-*If support during the reconfirmation is unanimous, independent of the actual number of votes, the current revision of the article becomes the featured revision after '''fourteen days'''. This should be done by updating the featured revision ID and date in the {{tl|featured}} template at the bottom of the article.
+*If '''support''' to uphold the article's featured status during the review '''is unanimous''', or '''all objections are resolved''', the current revision of the article becomes the featured revision after '''fourteen days'''. This should be done by updating the featured revision ID and date in the {{tl|featured}} template at the bottom of the article.
+*If the '''majority''' of votes cast are '''for removal''' after '''fourteen days''', the article will be removed from the featured article list.
-*If there is opposition to the article - under the [[Memory Alpha:Featured article criteria|featured article criteria]] - the reconfirmation process turns into a nomination of the new revision, meaning that it will be handled and resolved under the [[#Nominations|featured article nomination policy]] as if it were a new nomination.
+*Reviews with '''five or more''' unanimous votes, either to uphold or remove the article, can be resolved after '''seven days''', though the fifth vote must have been cast at least '''24 hours''' before the review is resolved.
-When a reconfirmation discussion is resolved, it should be placed with the nomination discussion on the article's [[Help:talk pages|talk page]].
+*Reviews that do not have unanimous support to uphold the article, a majority to remove it from the feature article list, or two votes after '''fourteen days of inactivity''' are considered deadlocked, and the original revision will remain the featured one.
+Any objections to the main page blurb are independent of the article, though a review to uphold a featured article can not end until '''24 hours after''' all objections to the blurb are resolved. When a review is resolved, it should be placed with the nomination discussion on the article's [[Help:talk pages|talk page]], and a link should be placed in the [[Memory Alpha:Featured article reviews/Archive|archive]].
-== Revoking nominations ==
-If you feel that an article currently listed as a [[Memory Alpha:Featured articles|Featured Articles]] should not be featured (for example, because it has been significantly changed for the worst), it should be listed on [[Memory Alpha:featured article removal candidates|featured article removal candidates]].  Be sure to '''state the reasons why you think the article should no longer be featured'''. Then add the {{tl|featuredremoval}} message to the top of the article and leave an [[Help:edit summary|edit summary]] informing other members that it was listed for removal.
-Articles that were recently nominated for Featured Article status should ''not'' be listed for removal &ndash; if you had an objection or complaint about the article, it should have been brought up during the nomination period.
-Do not list articles that previously survived removal attempts, unless the article in question has undergone major changes since the last time it was nominated for removal. Frivolous nominations for removal may be deleted by [[Memory Alpha:administrators|administrators]] without notice.
-Once an article has been listed for a period of '''seven days''', it will either be restored to the Featured Articles list or archived in the [[Memory Alpha:featured article removal candidates/Archive|successful removal candidates log]]. Nominations for removal require at least one '''additional''' vote supporting removal (in addition to the original nomination), plus a majority of the total votes, in order to permanently remove the article from the Featured Articles list.
 [[de:Memory Alpha:Nominierungsregeln für Exzellente Artikel]]