User:PhantomCaleb/Sandbox/Writing Guidelines

Grammar and Style
This section explains elements of an ideal writing style for Zelda Wiki and outlines common mistakes our editors make.

^ Can't really call it ideal if it's not in the guidelines, but that's what it should say if it were.

In-universe perspective
When possible, attribute playable character actions to the character, not the player.
 * Avoid nouns such as "the player" and "you". Instead use Link, "the hero", or another in-universe noun that makes sense in that context.


 * When an in-game action cannot be attributed to Link, use the passive voice as shown below.
 * Place out-of-universe statements about the fiction in Trivia sections or in notes.

Plot-related actions can be described by narrating in simple present indicative. For example, "Link awakens in a dark cave wearing only underpants. He climbs out onto the Great Plateau, where meets an Old Man. The Old Man gives him the Paraglider in exchange for the treasure in a nearby Shrine."

Gameplay actions are more complicated as they present possibilities and conditions. It's possible for Link to get a new Heart Container, on the condition that he gathers Pieces of Heart.

When describing gameplay actions,
 * Use the indicative mood when possible.


 * When the action is necessarily for completing the game, express certainty or inevitability with words like "when" or "must".


 * When the action is optional, describe it as a possibility or a hypothetical with words like "if" or "can".

Passive voice
Passive sentences are often vague about who is responsible for the action (the actor). This kind of ambiguity is to be avoided.

The passive voice is acceptable and even desirable when:
 * it usefully changes the emphasis;


 * the actor is out-of-universe;


 * the actor is not important;
 * (it's forged by Zauz but that's not always relevant)


 * the actor is unknown and unknowable;

In cases where the actor is knowable, the sentence should be changed to the active voice as soon as the actor is known. In the meantime, tag the sentence with Template:By Whom.

In-universe

 * Use the present tense.
 * Use the past tense only to describe backstory.
 * (not backstory, happens during gameplay)
 * (occurred in a fictional time period prior to the events of the game)


 * Do not use the future tense in conditional sentences. Use the present tense for that, too.

Out-of-universe
See.

Weasel words
Avoid.
 * (How many?)
 * (Which ones?)
 * (Who specifically?)