STYLE GUIDE
Article Structure Standards
The Vault uses different article structures depending on whether a subject is a phenomenon, person, location, case, or cultural topic. Choose the template that best matches the subject rather than forcing every article into the same format.
The Vault Article Templates
This page documents the recommended article structures used throughout The Vault.
The purpose of these structures is to create consistency across the wiki while allowing different types of subjects to be researched appropriately.
All articles should maintain a neutral tone and clearly separate:
- Reported claims
- Evidence
- Investigations
- Explanations
- Cultural impact
The Vault documents mysteries and claims. It does not attempt to prove or disprove paranormal phenomena.
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Quick Reference
| Article Type | Primary Infobox | Assessment Template | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptid / Creature | {{InfoboxEntity}}
|
{{VaultBrief}} + {{VaultEvidence}}
|
Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster |
| Paranormal Phenomenon | {{InfoboxPhenomenon}}
|
{{VaultBrief}} + {{VaultEvidence}}
|
Telepathy, Psychokinesis |
| Person / Researcher / Author | {{InfoboxPerson}}
|
{{VaultProfileBrief}}
|
Stephen King, J. B. Rhine |
| Location | {{InfoboxLocation}}
|
{{VaultLocationBrief}}
|
Borley Rectory, Hotel del Coronado |
| Case / Incident | {{InfoboxCase}}
|
{{VaultBrief}} + {{VaultEvidence}}
|
UFO sightings, individual hauntings |
| Organisation | {{InfoboxOrganisation}}
|
{{VaultProfileBrief}}
|
Research groups and societies |
Cryptid Articles
Used for alleged unknown animals, creatures and humanoid entities.
Examples:
Recommended structure:
{{InfoboxEntity}}
Introduction
== Description ==
== Names and Terminology ==
== History ==
== Indigenous / Folklore Traditions ==
== Reported Encounters ==
== Alleged Evidence ==
== Investigations ==
== Scientific and Skeptical Explanations ==
== Cultural Impact ==
{{VaultBrief}}
{{VaultEvidence}}
== See also ==
== References ==
Required sections:
Description
Explain what the entity is reported to be.
History
Cover the development of the modern legend.
Reported Encounters
Document notable sightings without presenting them as fact.
Alleged Evidence
Discuss photographs, recordings, physical evidence and investigations.
Scientific and Skeptical Explanations
Include alternative explanations.
---
Paranormal Phenomenon Articles
Used for claimed abilities, events or unexplained experiences.
Examples:
Recommended structure:
{{InfoboxPhenomenon}}
Introduction
== Definition ==
== History ==
== Reported Experiences ==
== Research ==
== Evidence ==
== Criticism and Alternative Explanations ==
== Cultural Impact ==
{{VaultBrief}}
{{VaultEvidence}}
== See also ==
== References ==
---
Person Articles
Used for:
- Researchers
- Authors
- Investigators
- Witnesses
- Public figures connected to paranormal topics
Examples:
Recommended structure:
{{InfoboxPerson}}
Introduction
== Early Life ==
== Career ==
== Paranormal Connections ==
== Research / Works ==
== Influence ==
{{VaultProfileBrief}}
== See also ==
== References ==
The article should explain:
- Who the person is
- Why they are relevant to The Vault
- Their contributions or influence
Do not imply that association with paranormal subjects proves belief or acceptance of those subjects.
---
Location Articles
Used for places associated with:
- Hauntings
- UFO sightings
- Fortean events
- Historical mysteries
Examples:
Recommended structure:
{{InfoboxLocation}}
Introduction
== History ==
== Reported Phenomena ==
== Notable Cases ==
== Investigations ==
== Alternative Explanations ==
== Cultural Impact ==
{{VaultLocationBrief}}
== See also ==
== References ==
---
Case Articles
Used for individual incidents.
Examples:
- UFO encounters
- Individual hauntings
- Reported paranormal events
Recommended structure:
{{InfoboxCase}}
Introduction
== Background ==
== Witness Accounts ==
== Timeline ==
== Investigation ==
== Evidence ==
== Explanations ==
== Legacy ==
{{VaultBrief}}
{{VaultEvidence}}
== References ==
---
Organisation Articles
Used for:
- Research groups
- Societies
- Investigation organisations
Examples:
Recommended structure:
{{InfoboxOrganisation}}
Introduction
== History ==
== Activities ==
== Research ==
== Notable Investigations ==
== Influence ==
{{VaultProfileBrief}}
== See also ==
== References ==
---
Brief Templates
Note: VaultAssessment, VaultProfileAssessment and VaultLocationAssessment are legacy names — they still work but now simply redirect to the Brief templates below. Use the names below in new articles.
VaultBrief
Used for subjects where the existence or explanation of a phenomenon is debated.
Suitable for:
- Cryptids
- UFO phenomena
- Paranormal events
- Psychic phenomena
Purpose:
What is the current understanding of this subject?
Example:
{{VaultBrief
|type=cryptid
|classification=
|earliest=
|modern=
|evidence=Eyewitness reports and alleged physical evidence
|investigations=Investigated by researchers and sceptics
|assessment=No verified evidence has confirmed the phenomenon.
|status=Unconfirmed
}}
---
VaultEvidence
Used to summarise evidence quality.
It should cover:
- Physical evidence
- Reports
- Investigations
- Alternative explanations
It should not replace the evidence section of an article.
---
VaultProfileBrief
Used for people and organisations.
Purpose:
Why is this subject relevant to The Vault?
It does not judge whether paranormal claims are true.
---
VaultLocationBrief
Used for places.
Purpose:
Why is this location significant within paranormal history or folklore?
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Images and Media
Images must be accurately labelled.
Acceptable:
Historical photograph of the location
Illustration based on eyewitness descriptions
AI-generated illustration
Never present:
- AI images
- Artistic recreations
- Unverified photographs
as confirmed evidence.
---
References
All significant factual claims should use citations.
Preferred sources:
- Academic publications
- Books from recognised publishers
- Historical archives
- Reputable journalism
- Research organisations
Avoid relying solely on:
- Unsourced websites
- Social media posts
- Paranormal entertainment programmes
Citation format:
<ref>{{cite web
|title=
|url=
|website=
|date=
}}</ref>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
---
Categories
Every article should include appropriate categories.
Examples:
Cryptid:
[[Category:Cryptids]] [[Category:Cryptozoology]]
Person:
[[Category:People]] [[Category:Researchers]]
Location:
[[Category:Locations]] [[Category:Haunted Locations]]
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Final Checklist
Before publishing an article:
☐ Correct infobox used ☐ Introduction explains the subject clearly ☐ Claims and evidence are separated ☐ Neutral language used ☐ Relevant internal links added ☐ Reliable references included ☐ Assessment template completed ☐ Images correctly labelled ☐ Categories added
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