Vault:Article Templates

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:

• Bigfoot
• Yeti
• Mothman
• Chupacabra

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.

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Paranormal Phenomenon Articles

Used for claimed abilities, events or unexplained experiences.

Examples:

• Telepathy
• Psychokinesis
• Near-death experience
• Out-of-body experience

Recommended structure:

{{InfoboxPhenomenon}}

Introduction

== Definition ==

== History ==

== Reported Experiences ==

== Research ==

== Evidence ==

== Criticism and Alternative Explanations ==

== Cultural Impact ==

{{VaultBrief}}

{{VaultEvidence}}

== See also ==

== References ==

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Person Articles

Used for:

• Researchers
• Authors
• Investigators
• Witnesses
• Public figures connected to paranormal topics

Examples:

• Stephen King
• Charles Honorton
• Harry Price

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.

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Location Articles

Used for places associated with:

• Hauntings
• UFO sightings
• Fortean events
• Historical mysteries

Examples:

• Borley Rectory
• Hotel del Coronado
• Skinwalker Ranch

Recommended structure:

{{InfoboxLocation}}

Introduction

== History ==

== Reported Phenomena ==

== Notable Cases ==

== Investigations ==

== Alternative Explanations ==

== Cultural Impact ==

{{VaultLocationBrief}}

== See also ==

== References ==

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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 ==

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Organisation Articles

Used for:

• Research groups
• Societies
• Investigation organisations

Examples:

• Society for Psychical Research
• Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization

Recommended structure:

{{InfoboxOrganisation}}

Introduction

== History ==

== Activities ==

== Research ==

== Notable Investigations ==

== Influence ==

{{VaultProfileBrief}}

== See also ==

== References ==

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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
}}

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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.

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VaultProfileBrief

Used for people and organisations.

Purpose:

Why is this subject relevant to The Vault?

It does not judge whether paranormal claims are true.

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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.

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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}}

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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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