User:Declan/Style guide proposal

This is the beginnings of a proposed Style Guide for the Guild Wars Official Wiki.

What a Style Guide IS:

 * A collection of guidelines used to standardize the way writers say things.
 * A way to add consistency to writing to improve readability and ease of communication.
 * A resource for writers and editors to reference so they don't have to spend time researching the correct term.

What a Style Guide IS NOT:

 * An attempt to squash creativity.
 * An attempt at telling a writer what to say.
 * A way to make writers feel guilty about not following it to the letter.

Why we should use a Style Guide

 * It allows writers and editors to quickly find the rules and terms they need to do their jobs.
 * It improves readability for and communication of information to readers.
 * It builds a sense that all writers and editors are working to create a cohesive project.

GENERAL IN-GAME

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 * Issue||Guideline
 * a vs. an||Per Microsoft Style for Technical Publications (MSTP). Use the article, a or an, that applies to the sound of the first letter of the word that follows the article.
 * Incorrect: To select an .com file…/To select a .exe file…
 * Correct: To select a .com file…/To select an .exe file…
 * it’s||Gregg’s Grammar Guide. Do not use it’s to indicate possession…
 * Incorrect: To select it’s name, click…
 * Correct: To select its name, click…
 * cited references||Strunk and White. Do not write a statement of fact without citing an authoritative source.
 * Incorrect: Grape juice gives you strength…
 * Correct: According to a March, 1996 study in the Journal of Medicine, grape juice was found to increase muscle stamina…
 * features||Per Garbl’s Style Guide. Present in bulleted lists or tables to provide whitespace, clarity and brevity.
 * dates||Per Chicago. Names of months can be spelled-out or abbreviated.
 * acronyms and initialisms||Per MSTP. Introduce acronym/initialism on first instance by either putting the acronym/initialism or the full phrase in parenthesis.
 * Incorrect: My Necro runs SS in FoW.
 * Correct: My Necro runs SS (Spiteful Spirit) in FoW (Fissure of Woe).
 * PC||Do not use. Use computer.
 * Incorrect:
 * Correct:
 * serial comma||Per Chicago. Always use a comma before the conjunction in a series of 3 or more items.
 * Incorrect: The main Quest arcs in GW:EN are the Norn, the Charr and the Asura.
 * Correct: The main Quest arcs in GW:EN are the Norn, the Charr, and the Asura.
 * ellipses at the end of a clause||Use the “…” and the punctuation as normal (…! / …, / ….).
 * Incorrect: So, we brought a Warrior with Frenzy...It wasn’t great.
 * Correct: So, we brought a Warrior with Frenzy…. It wasn’t great.
 * leaving out text in a quote||Per older MLA. Use [. . .] to differentiate from the … used to indicate a pause.
 * Incorrect: “So, we brought a Wammo…It wasn’t great.”.
 * Correct: “So, we brought a Wammo [. . .] It wasn’t great.”.
 * quote marks||Use double quotes for a quote and single quotes for a quote within a quote.
 * Incorrect: The Quest dialogue reads: ‘blah blah blah.’
 * Correct: The Quest dialogue reads: “blah blah blah.”.
 * Punctuation after quotes||Place only text being quoted within the quote marks. Always end the sentence with punctuation not in quote marks. This makes totally clear who said what in a quote.
 * Incorrect: Then he says “Die.”
 * Correct: Then he says “Die!”.
 * spaces||Include only one space after periods, colons, semi-colons, commas, exclamation marks, and quote marks. All modern non-monospace fonts automatically adjust the spacing to the correct width.
 * Keyboard shortcuts||Per Microsoft Help. Two or more keys simultaneously, list with a “+” sign between the keys. Keys pressed in succession, separate with a comma.
 * Incorrect: To call a target, press the control key and space bar
 * Correct: To call a target, press CTRL+SPACEBAR.
 * Keyboard references||Per Microsoft Help. Always caps.
 * Incorrect: ctrl, alt, x, spacebar
 * Correct: CTRL, ALT, X, SPACEBAR
 * }
 * Punctuation after quotes||Place only text being quoted within the quote marks. Always end the sentence with punctuation not in quote marks. This makes totally clear who said what in a quote.
 * Incorrect: Then he says “Die.”
 * Correct: Then he says “Die!”.
 * spaces||Include only one space after periods, colons, semi-colons, commas, exclamation marks, and quote marks. All modern non-monospace fonts automatically adjust the spacing to the correct width.
 * Keyboard shortcuts||Per Microsoft Help. Two or more keys simultaneously, list with a “+” sign between the keys. Keys pressed in succession, separate with a comma.
 * Incorrect: To call a target, press the control key and space bar
 * Correct: To call a target, press CTRL+SPACEBAR.
 * Keyboard references||Per Microsoft Help. Always caps.
 * Incorrect: ctrl, alt, x, spacebar
 * Correct: CTRL, ALT, X, SPACEBAR
 * }
 * Keyboard references||Per Microsoft Help. Always caps.
 * Incorrect: ctrl, alt, x, spacebar
 * Correct: CTRL, ALT, X, SPACEBAR
 * }

REAL WORLD TERMINOLOGY

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 * Guild Wars||Two words, both capitalized.
 * Incorrect: I love GuildWars.
 * Correct: I love Guild Wars.
 * ArenaNet||One word, capitalize the first A and the second N. Do not abbreviate.
 * Incorrect: Arenanet developed Guild Wars.
 * Correct: ArenaNet developed Guild Wars.
 * NCsoft corporation||Note corporation included. Capitalize the N and the C in NCsoft.
 * Incorrect: NC soft publishes Guild Wars.
 * Correct: NCsoft corporation publishes Guild Wars.
 * Campaign||Always ini-caps.
 * Expansion||Always ini-caps. Use only for Eye of the North.
 * Guild Wars Prophecies||Always ini-caps. Abbreviated Prophecies.
 * Guild Wars Factions||Always ini-caps. Abbreviated Factions.
 * Guild Wars Nightfall||Always ini-caps. Abbreviated Nightfall or NF.
 * Guild Wars Eye of the North||Always ini-caps. Abbreviated GW:EN.
 * Fansite||One word. Always ini-caps.
 * Fansite status||Per fansite kit. Ini-caps. Elite, Official, Listed, Specialty.
 * gameplay||One word.
 * in-game||Adjective. Describes a noun specific to the game.
 * Incorrect: I like the in game materials storage.
 * Correct: I like the in-game materials storage.
 * Template vs.Build||Use Build when talking about a skill set. Use Template when talking about in-game Template management or the Template file on the computer.
 * Incorrect: Find your Build file on your computer.
 * Correct: Find your Template file on your computer.
 * Incorrect: Spiteful Spirit works well in the following Template.
 * Correct: Spiteful Spirit works well in the following Build.
 * PC, NPC||Always all caps. See acronyms and initialisms.
 * Incorrect: Pc, Npc.
 * Correct: PC, NPC.
 * Player versus Player, Player versus Environment||Always cap Player and Environment. Abbreviated PvP and PvE.
 * Guild||Ini-caps.
 * Incorrect: I belong to a guild.
 * Correct: I belong to a Guild.
 * Alliance||Always ini-caps.
 * Incorrect: This is a Luxon alliance.
 * Correct: This is a Luxon Alliance.
 * }
 * Incorrect: Spiteful Spirit works well in the following Template.
 * Correct: Spiteful Spirit works well in the following Build.
 * PC, NPC||Always all caps. See acronyms and initialisms.
 * Incorrect: Pc, Npc.
 * Correct: PC, NPC.
 * Player versus Player, Player versus Environment||Always cap Player and Environment. Abbreviated PvP and PvE.
 * Guild||Ini-caps.
 * Incorrect: I belong to a guild.
 * Correct: I belong to a Guild.
 * Alliance||Always ini-caps.
 * Incorrect: This is a Luxon alliance.
 * Correct: This is a Luxon Alliance.
 * }
 * Alliance||Always ini-caps.
 * Incorrect: This is a Luxon alliance.
 * Correct: This is a Luxon Alliance.
 * }

GAME MECHANICS

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 * armor rating||Never armor level or armor class.
 * damage types||Per skill descriptions.
 * Incorrect: This wand does Fire damage.
 * Correct: This wand does fire damage.
 * conditions|| Per skill descriptions. Ini-caps.
 * Incorrect: Mark of Rodgort causes burning.
 * Correct: Mark of Rodgort causes Burning.
 * minions||Per in-game UI. Use only for Necromancer "Animate" Spells.
 * attribute names||Perattribute descriptions. Always ini-caps.
 * Incorrect: This Build needs high ranks in soul reaping.
 * Correct: This Build needs high ranks in Soul Reaping.
 * Energy||Always ini-caps.
 * Adrenaline||Always ini-caps. Never Adrenalin.
 * cast time||Lower case.
 * recharge||Lower case.
 * Energy pip||Pip is not ini-caps.
 * Health||Always ini-caps.
 * skill type capitalization||Per skill descriptions. Skill types are always capitalized (Hex, Spell, Enchantment, etc.).
 * Incorrect: Spell Breaker is an enchantment that blocks spells.
 * Correct: Spell Breaker is an Enchantment that blocks Spells.
 * skill||Capitalize only when referencing a skill type.
 * Incorrect: Critical Eye cannot be removed because it is a skill.
 * Correct: Critical Eye cannot be removed because it is a Skill.
 * resurrect||. Never rez.
 * Incorrect: I was taking a dirt nap while waiting for a rez.
 * Correct: I was taking a dirt nap while waiting to be resurrected.
 * favor of the gods.|| Per in-game. Lower case. Abbreviated favor.
 * Area of Effect.||Per skill descriptions. Lower case.
 * Incorrect: The areas of effect in Guild Wars are Adjacent, Nearby, In the Area, and Earshot
 * Correct: The areas of effect in Guild Wars are adjacent, nearby, in the area, and earshot
 * }
 * skill||Capitalize only when referencing a skill type.
 * Incorrect: Critical Eye cannot be removed because it is a skill.
 * Correct: Critical Eye cannot be removed because it is a Skill.
 * resurrect||. Never rez.
 * Incorrect: I was taking a dirt nap while waiting for a rez.
 * Correct: I was taking a dirt nap while waiting to be resurrected.
 * favor of the gods.|| Per in-game. Lower case. Abbreviated favor.
 * Area of Effect.||Per skill descriptions. Lower case.
 * Incorrect: The areas of effect in Guild Wars are Adjacent, Nearby, In the Area, and Earshot
 * Correct: The areas of effect in Guild Wars are adjacent, nearby, in the area, and earshot
 * }
 * Area of Effect.||Per skill descriptions. Lower case.
 * Incorrect: The areas of effect in Guild Wars are Adjacent, Nearby, In the Area, and Earshot
 * Correct: The areas of effect in Guild Wars are adjacent, nearby, in the area, and earshot
 * }

PROFESSIONS AND SKILLS

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 * skill names|| Per skill descriptions. Always ini-caps.
 * Signet of Capture||Always ini-caps. Never cap sig.
 * Profession names||Always ini-caps. Never abbreviate them.
 * Incorrect: The Guild Wars Professions are assassin, dervish, elementalist, mesmer, monk, paragon, ranger, ritualist, warrior.
 * Correct: The Guild Wars Professions are Assassin, Dervish, Elementalist, Mesmer, Monk, Paragon, Ranger, Ritualist, Warrior.
 * Profession||Always ini-caps. Never class.
 * Incorrect: Guild Wars has six core professions.
 * Correct: Guild Wars has six core Professions.
 * }
 * Incorrect: Guild Wars has six core professions.
 * Correct: Guild Wars has six core Professions.
 * }

LIVING OBJECTS

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 * race / culture||Always ini-caps. Elonian, Kournan, Kurzick, Dwarf, Tengu, Human, Undead, Asura, Luxon, Vabbian, Canthan,
 * Charr||Singular and Plural: Charr
 * Asura||Singular and Plural: Asura
 * Norn||Singular and Plural: Norn
 * Sylvari ||Singular and Plural: Sylvari
 * Animal Companion||Always ini-caps.
 * NPC names||Cap as done in game. For venders, not required to list the text in the brackets.
 * Incorrect: Xunlai agent [Storage].
 * Correct: Xunlai Agent.
 * mob names||Always except for named mobs (i.e. Shiro; Moltov Rocktail)
 * mob||Always lower case.
 * Henchmen||Ini-caps.
 * Hero||Ini-caps.
 * insignia slot||
 * }
 * mob names||Always except for named mobs (i.e. Shiro; Moltov Rocktail)
 * mob||Always lower case.
 * Henchmen||Ini-caps.
 * Hero||Ini-caps.
 * insignia slot||
 * }
 * Hero||Ini-caps.
 * insignia slot||
 * }
 * insignia slot||
 * }

ITEMS

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 * Platinum||Abbreviated Plat
 * Incorrect: I need more plat for the armor.
 * Correct: I need more Plat for the armor.
 * Gold||Always ini-caps to differentiate from gold drops.
 * Incorrect:
 * Correct:
 * faction||Lowercase to differentiate from Factions.
 * Incorrect: I just farmed Luxon Faction.
 * Correct: I just farmed Luxon faction.
 * loot||Always lower case.
 * drop||Never use as a noun. Use item, weapon, off-hand item, unique item, etc.
 * unique item||Lowercase. Also called green item.
 * armor names||Always ini-caps.
 * Incorrect: Hagen can craft elite fur-lined armor.
 * Correct: Hagen can craft Elite Fur-Lined armor.
 * Insignia||Always ini-caps.
 * upgrade component||Never mod.
 * upgrade component names||Always ini-caps.
 * Incorrect: Daggers can be upgraded with one dagger tang.
 * Correct: Daggers can be upgraded with one Dagger Tang.
 * miniature||Per Devotion shrine in the Hall of Monuments.
 * Rune||Always ini-caps.
 * Inscriptions||Always ini-caps.
 * weapon names||Always ini-caps.
 * Incorrect: Warriors can use axes, hammers, and swords.
 * Correct: Warriors can use Axes, Hammers, and Swords.
 * Ascended armor||Ini-caps on Ascended.
 * Consumable item
 * Elite armor
 * }
 * miniature||Per Devotion shrine in the Hall of Monuments.
 * Rune||Always ini-caps.
 * Inscriptions||Always ini-caps.
 * weapon names||Always ini-caps.
 * Incorrect: Warriors can use axes, hammers, and swords.
 * Correct: Warriors can use Axes, Hammers, and Swords.
 * Ascended armor||Ini-caps on Ascended.
 * Consumable item
 * Elite armor
 * }
 * Ascended armor||Ini-caps on Ascended.
 * Consumable item
 * Elite armor
 * }
 * Elite armor
 * }

LOCATIONS

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 * Continent||Ini-caps.
 * Zones||All zone names are ini-caps per in-game. Never use abbreviations (ToA, DoA, FoW, UW, etc.)
 * Incorrect: My favorite zone is lakeside country.
 * Correct: My favorite zone is Lakeside Country.
 * zone type||If a zone has multiple types, list the zone type in lower case in parenthesis.
 * Incorrect: My favorite zone is Sunjiang District.
 * Correct: My favorite zone is Sunjiang District (exporable).
 * Quest||Per in-game UI. Always ini-caps.
 * Mission||Per in-game UI. Always ini-caps.
 * Mission ranks||Mission completion, Expert level, Master level.
 * Mission rewards||Standard level, Expert level, Master level.
 * }
 * Mission||Per in-game UI. Always ini-caps.
 * Mission ranks||Mission completion, Expert level, Master level.
 * Mission rewards||Standard level, Expert level, Master level.
 * }
 * Mission rewards||Standard level, Expert level, Master level.
 * }

USER INTERFACE

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 * User Interface components||All except for:
 * Compass
 * Weapon Sets
 * Performance Monitor
 * Danger Zone||Ini-caps. Commonly “aggro bubble” or “agro circle”.
 * Mission Map||Ini-cap per in-game UI.
 * Vault Box||Ini-caps per in-game UI.
 * }
 * Danger Zone||Ini-caps. Commonly “aggro bubble” or “agro circle”.
 * Mission Map||Ini-cap per in-game UI.
 * Vault Box||Ini-caps per in-game UI.
 * }
 * Vault Box||Ini-caps per in-game UI.
 * }

GENERAL IN-GAME

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 * AE||Always caps, no periods. Also called the Mouvelian Calendar.
 * Bounty||Ini-caps.
 * Points||Ini-caps. Includes Sunspear Promotion Point, Lightbringer Point, Dwarven Point
 * Lightbringer Point||
 * character||Lowercase.
 * Fame||Ini-caps.
 * PvP-only character||
 * rolplaying character||Lowercase. Not PvE character, since the character can also play PvP.
 * }
 * character||Lowercase.
 * Fame||Ini-caps.
 * PvP-only character||
 * rolplaying character||Lowercase. Not PvE character, since the character can also play PvP.
 * }
 * rolplaying character||Lowercase. Not PvE character, since the character can also play PvP.
 * }
 * }