In a nutshell, write about how things are (descriptive), not how you think they should be or wish they were (prescriptive).
Descriptive language seeks to describe what is happening, what happened, or what will happen. It enumerates facts without making value judgments.
- A trope example happens or does not happen. It is not bad or good for having happened.
- Media articles should describe the subject, preferably in breezy, witty language. They should not be reviews.
- People have opinions about media and certain tropes may be subjective, but the wiki seeks to document these, not make people agree or disagree with them.
- Discussions of real life subjects should stick to the facts. If these can be presented in a humorous way, so much the better.
- When there is a disagreement over how to write about a controversial topic (a common situation is gender pronouns), refer to generally accepted standards.
Prescriptive language seeks to prescribe behavior or attitudes. It takes a point of view and attempts to convince or persuade the reader of that point of view.
- It is not necessary to tell readers whether a trope is a good or bad thing in Real Life, nor that it is subjective, nor that there is controversy about it. You wouldn't put up with that in a story, so why should we have to put up with it on the wiki?
- Other people may have different opinions about the quality of a work or a creator's work; they may even like something or someone for qualities that you find objectionable. Leave room for differences of opinion when you write about media.
- The wiki does not, as a matter of policy, have an opinion on any social or political topics. We may disallow certain kinds of content on the grounds of not being suitable for our intended audience and/or not being permitted by our advertising sponsors, but that's not an excuse to bad-mouth these things on the wiki.
- The wiki may ban discussion of certain "hot button" topics in media. This is to keep the users and staff from having to put up with the incessant arguments that develop whenever those topics arise, and to prevent the wiki from being used to advance an agenda.
Exceptions
- Analysis sections may contain extended discussions of a topic that are more focused on Real Life. They are not excuses to rant.
- Reviews
, Liveblogs, forum conversations, and similar areas are set aside for your personal content, so you may express yourself there within the bounds of civility.
- Sugar Wiki areas like Moment of Awesome and Darth Wiki sections like Dethroning Moment of Suck are similarly designated for your personal opinions on works.
See also: Righting Great Wrongs, Rule of Cautious Editing Judgment, Watsonian versus Doylist
