Wookieepedia: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. This template will also display tabs linking to the article on the alternate continuity version of the subject.
 * Symbols may also indicate if the article was a featured article in the past.
 * The publishing era parameters are only included in "non-timeless" articles from the Legends continuity, such as characters, ships, etc., and are for known appearances only, not presumed eras of appearance.
 * The template will automatically detect whether the article exists in both continuities and also in which continuity the article belongs. It will then display the correct "Canon" or "Legends" banner and display the continuity tabs.
 * For a real-world article on media in the canon continuity, the article should use "real" as a parameter and "type=canon," and the article should include the appropriate subcategory of Category:Canon media, such as Category:Canon standalone novels.
 * In the case of a subject that exists within both continuities but under different names, the parameters "legends" and "canon" must be defined in the Eras template with the name of the article in the other continuity.
 * The "title" parameter can be used to format the article title and should be used in place of the magic word when the tabs are used in an article.
 * For further usage instructions, see Template:Eras.
 * → See Forum:CT Archive/Era tags and Forum:CT Archive/MOS and LG updates

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 Template messages/Redirects and Category:Disambiguation and redirection 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

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.

Infobox
Example (for an article about a Jedi 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 Template messages/Infoboxes and Category:Infobox templates
 * All infobox material must be detailed in the article proper, with the following exceptions:
 * The out-of-universe "era" field
 * The "prev," "conc," and "next" fields of event infoboxes, which are not necessarily relevant to the article
 * → See Mofferences/November 11, 2012
 * Map grid coordinates from The Essential Atlas and Star Wars: The Essential Atlas Online Companion, which are not necessarily intended as in-universe material
 * → See Forum:CT Archive/Utilizing Atlas grid coordinates


 * Images used in infoboxes will be scaled to 250px for all infoboxes except conflict infoboxes (battles, wars, etc.), which use either 300px, 350px, or 400px, depending on specific template size. Larger default sizes are identified on the respective template pages. Images smaller than the default infobox size should not be scaled up.
 * → See Mofferences/June 23, 2013


 * When denoting an item's cost in credits, use the term "credit" as standard rather than the credit symbol ( undefined).
 * → See Forum:CT Archive/Standardizing the use of "Credits" in infoboxes, Forum:CT Archive/Standardizing the use of "Credits" in infoboxes, part 2


 * When listing multiple items in a single infobox field, including cascading items, use bullets to offset each item, including the first item listed. Do not use blank indentations.
 * → See Mofferences/June 29, 2014

Opening quote
Example: "I can't take it anymore. That tocking is driving me nuts."

- Han Solo


 * 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
Article bodies of Star Wars Legends articles will comprehensively cover all content from applicable officially-licensed sources that Lucasfilm did not declare non-canon within the Legends continuity. Please see Canon policy for a list of officially-licensed sources considered applicable to the Legends continuity.

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

Early days
... ... ...

Clone Wars
...

Duel with the Dark Lord
...

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 relevant 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: "…he's my brother."

- Leia to Han on Endor referring to Luke


 * In addition to the introductory quote, further quotes may be used throughout an article.
 * Although quotes may be placed in the body of the article, a maximum of one quote is allowed only at the beginning of each section.
 * 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.

Star Wars Tales and unlicensed sources
Star Wars Legends articles will comprehensively cover all non-contradictory stories from Star Wars Tales issues 1–20 in the article body. Content from Tales 1–20 stories that were referenced in no other Legends source must be clearly labeled with the following advisory tags:

...

Star Wars Legends articles will comprehensively cover all relevant unlicensed sources within the article body. This content must be clearly labeled with the following advisory tags:

...


 * → See Forum:CT Archive/Non-canon Legends content

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 Template messages/Stubs and Category:Stub templates

Character articles
Character Articles There are some guidelines for the organization of character articles within Wookieepedia. 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 Force-sensitive characters is intended to show any notable abilities possessed by the character. This section is particularly appropriate for Force-sensitive characters and can include any Force powers for which the character demonstrates an aptitude.
 * 4) Equipment can be used to give a brief description of any notable ships, weapons, or other equipment associated with the character.

Each of these sections may be further subdivided as appropriate.

Droid character articles
Droid Character Articles There are some guidelines for the organization of droid character articles within Wookieepedia. Though there is some flexibility, the following sections are typical:
 * 1) Biography provides an account of the notable events in the droid character's career. 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) Characteristics describes personality traits evident in the source material and how these influence the droid character's behavior. Examples should be given where possible. Specific programming abilities and physical technical specifications are described here as well, subdivided as necessary.
 * 3) Equipment can be used to give a brief description of any notable ships or external weapons and equipment associated with the droid character.

Each of these sections may be further subdivided as appropriate.

Planet and moon articles
Planet Articles

There are some guidelines for the organization of planet articles within the Wookieepedia. 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 planet, 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 planet 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 planet and its characteristics.
 * 2) *Note: When a planet has particularly notable flora and fauna, an individual section can be created for such.
 * 3) History will cover all notable points in the planet's history. Individual periods and major events can receive subsections.
 * 4) *Note: Planet articles will not document chronological territorial affiliations unless the planet, moon, etc. is explicitly identified on a map as belonging to a given territory. For example, The Essential Atlas and The Essential Guide to Warfare document the many shifting territorial boundaries throughout Star Wars history on galactic maps. Unless a planet is explicitly identified on one of these maps as belonging to a territory, such as the Imperial Remnant or Darth Krayt's Galactic Empire, do not list the territory among the planet's affiliations in the article's infobox or body.
 * 5) Inhabitants includes a description of the planet's native or resident sentient species (where applicable) and any other notable inhabitants.
 * 6) *Note: If the planetary government is notably unique or of particular import, an individual section on it may be added. Furthermore, if the economy of the planet plays a significant role, it can be given its own section. Planetary culture and religion, apart from species culture, may also play a large role, and could then receive a section of its own, as well.
 * 7) Locations is set aside for notable specific locations on the planet's surface or in orbit, such as cities, bases, geological formations, and orbital facilities.

Starship and vehicle class articles
Starship and Vehicle Class Articles

There are some guidelines for the organization of ship and vehicle class articles within Wookieepedia. Ideally, they are organized into three main sections, with subsections and extra sections where appropriate: Each of these three sections may be further subdivided as appropriate. Note: if anything in particular is of overwhelming significance concerning the class, or a preponderance of information is available, a section of its own can be created.
 * 1) Characteristics includes any descriptive information about the class, as well as any statistical information provided.
 * 2) Role encompasses the duties the vessel or vehicle type was designed and/or used for. Strengths and weaknesses in application are laid out here, as well.
 * 3) History covers the known operational history of the class, arranged in chronological order. Ideally, all appearances of the type in canon are described here.

Individual Starship and Vehicle Articles

There are some guidelines for the organization of individual ship and vehicle articles within Wookieepedia. Ideally, they are organized into three main sections, with subsections and extra sections where appropriate: Each of these three sections may be further subdivided as appropriate. Note: if anything in particular is of overwhelming significance concerning the ship or vehicle, or a preponderance of information is available, a section of its own can be created.
 * 1) Description contains all the details of the design of the ship or vehicle.
 * 2) History chronicles the known history of the craft in chronological order. Ideally, all appearances of the type in canon are described here.
 * 3) Commanders and crew (or a similar title such as Owners and operators) provides brief summaries of any individuals of particular import that owned, commanded, or crewed the vessel or vehicle.

Sentient species articles
Sentient Species Articles There are some guidelines for the organization of species articles within Wookieepedia. 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) Society and culture deals with the sociological organization of the species, including such features as language, temperament, and family and societal structures.
 * 3) History deals with the major events in the history of the species. This includes such events as wars, discovery by the galactic community, and other important epochs.
 * 4) [Species] in the galaxy provides an overview of the species involvement in the galactic community with particular emphasis on species 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 Wookieepedia. 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 galactic community, and other important epochs.
 * 4) [Species] in the galaxy provides an overview of the species involvement in the galactic 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.

Battle, mission, and duel articles
Battle Articles There are some guidelines for the organization of battle and event articles within Wookieepedia. Though there is some flexibility, the following sections are typical:
 * 1) Prelude gives a brief description of the events leading up to the event as information is available. The level of detail in this section is up to the author, but should not take away from the article's subject of the actual event.
 * 2) The battle describes the event from all related source material. All information should be written from a neutral perspective, with none of the narrative focusing exclusively on the perspective of one side of the conflict. Alternatively, this section can be renamed to more appropriately reflect on the article's name.
 * 3) Aftermath can be used for any information related to the event that took place after its conclusion as it is available. As with the Prelude, however, the level of detail should not take away from the article's subject, which is the event itself.

Each of these sections may be further subdivided as appropriate. Note: if something else of significance concerning the event is relevant, a section of its own can be created.

Force power articles
Force power Articles There are some guidelines for the organization of Force power articles within Wookieepedia. Though there is some flexibility, the following sections are typical:
 * 1) Description gives a detailed description on what the power is and does.
 * 2) Applications describes how and why the power is used.
 * 3) Users details the specific instances of the power's use, and by whom.

Each of these sections may be further subdivided as appropriate. Note: if something else of significance concerning the Force power is relevant, a section of its own can be created.

Weapons, armor, technology, and equipment articles
Weapons, Armor, Technology, and Equipment Articles There are some guidelines for the organization of weapons, armor, equipment, technology, and similar articles within Wookieepedia. Though there is some flexibility, the following sections are typical:
 * 1) Description will include any information on the characteristics of the item, such as design, utilization, and variants.
 * 2) History covers the known use of the item, arranged in chronological order. Ideally, all appearances of the item in canon are described here. Also included are users of the item, detailing the specific instances of the item's use, and by whom.

Each of these sections may be further subdivided as appropriate. Note: if something else of significance concerning the item is relevant, a section of its own can be created.

Behind the scenes (notice the capitalization)
The "Behind the scenes" section (notice the capitalization) details the development of an in-universe subject from a real-world, out-of-universe perspective. This section may discuss a number of varying topics, including but not limited to a subject's origin, actor portrayal information, significant additions made to a subject's in-universe continuity, and storyline contradictions affecting a subject's in-universe continuity. The following is a more detailed list of potential "Behind the scenes" topics:
 * Origin of subject: In what Star Wars project did the subject first appear or was first mentioned, first pictured, or first named? Was the subject named after a real-world person or based upon a real-world subject or event? For film articles, detail a subject's real-world filming location.
 * Portrayal information: For character articles, detail which actor(s)/actress(es) portrayed the subject in films, television series, video games, radio dramatizations, etc.
 * Canon development: Chronicle a subject's development through Star Wars continuity in different source material. Discuss any significant changes made to a subject, including retcon information. For example, Boba Fett's Legends continuity was heavily retconned with the release of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. How did this change in his character's background affect previously released stories?
 * Contradictions: Detail any significant contradictions affecting a subject's continuity. Were any stories rendered non-canon by contradictory higher canon sources?
 * Authorial intent: Authors occasionally release statements outside of their published stories to detail information they intended to convey in their projects without necessarily being spelled out in a given source.

For Legends articles, material that Lucasfilm declared to be non-canon within the Legends continuity, including Infinities stories, certain cut content, and material irreconcilably contradicted by higher canon sources, will be covered exclusively in the "Behind the scenes" section. Cut content from Star Wars Legends sources that was not referenced in other source material was considered non-canon. The only exception to cut content are the deleted scenes of the six films of the Star Wars original trilogy and prequel trilogy. According to Leland Chee, deleted film scenes that were publicly released were G-canon in the Legends continuity "unless they conflict with something else seen in the films or if the reasoning behind deleting the scene keeps it from being continuity."
 * → See Forum:CT Archive/Non-canon Legends content

Appearances
Articles on topics within a specific continuity should only list appearances that are fall under that specific continuity. For example, the Canon version of the Jedi Order article should not list issues of Star Wars: Republic or the video game Star Wars: The Old Republic, and the Legends version of the Anakin Skywalker article should not list Tarkin or Lords of the Sith.
 * → See Forum:CT Archive/MOS and LG updates

Wookieepedia treats the film novelizations and junior film novelizations of the Star Wars original trilogy and prequel trilogy and the Star Wars: The Clone Wars film novelization as non-canon Legends material. Therefore, Canon articles will not list these novelizations within the Appearances section.
 * → See Mofferences/June 29, 2014


 * Bulleted list of films, novels, comics, cartoons, roleplaying adventures, and computer games 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, e.g. for Grand Admiral Thrawn:
 * Specter of the Past
 * For a subject's first appearance in the saga (in order of publication, not in order of internal chronology), use the 1st template, e.g. for Kyle Katarn:
 * Star Wars: Dark Forces
 * If a subject's first appearance in the saga is only a mere mention, use the 1stm template, e.g. for Dantooine:
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith
 * 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 Senator Grebleips:
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Cloak of Deception
 * For novels, make reference to the actual book, not the trilogy.
 * For comics, link to the individual issue, unless a subject appears in every issue of a story arc.
 * Format: name of title only, e.g.:
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars: Dark Forces
 * For generic comments, use C. For example, will produce:
 * The Star Wars Holiday Special
 * See 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 Wookieepedia 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. This applies, for instance, for such out-of-chronology Dark Lords of the Sith as Tulak Hord and Darth Andeddu.
 * Do not insert succession boxes for something that is not a proper title. For example, a succession box for Palpatine where the title is "Secret de facto leader of the Separatists" (this is a real precedent on Wookieepedia) is most likely to be deleted.

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, all of which must be sourced:
 * 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 ". (Example: Darth Revan's immediate predecessor as Dark Lord of the Sith is unknown; therefore, the succession box reads "Eventually Exar Kun".)

In contrast, "Unknown" should not be used in the dates of succession boxes. (Example: "Unknown–0 ABY" should only be "&mdash;0 ABY.") See 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.
 * References will only use periods at the end of the citation if the citation is a complete sentence. References that are not complete sentences will not use periods.
 * → See Mofferences/February 12, 2012


 * As a general rule, Wookieepedia recommends reserving scroll boxes for reference lists to articles that employ no less than forty to fifty individual references. However, this is by no means a hard figure, and final decisions for the use of scroll boxes should be determined by what best suits each individual article.
 * The standard scroll box size may be enlarged for certain articles, but this should be done only in rare cases for presentation purposes. Requests to do so should be made on the article's talk page or article review pages.
 * → See Mofferences/November 11, 2012

Interwiki links

 * Links to Star Wars wikis in other languages
 * Interwiki links should be listed in the Interlang template placed before an article's categories. The "xxFA=" operator will indicate that an article has reached "featured" or equivalent status on its host wiki.

Category

 * Every article must have all applicable categories
 * → See Forum:CT Archive/Layout Guide change for categories


 * Categories should be listed in alphabetical order
 * An update to MediaWiki allows use of DEFAULTSORT to eliminate unnecessary coding while still achieving the desired result of categorizing articles by last name (ie, one need not use ; use the below method)


 * 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:Aquatic sentient species should not also be placed in Category:Sentient species.