The Vault Style Guide
The Vault Style Guide establishes the writing standards, formatting rules and editorial principles used throughout The Vault.
The purpose of this guide is to ensure that articles remain consistent, informative and accessible while documenting subjects relating to paranormal phenomena, cryptozoology, ufology, parapsychology, Forteana and related fields.
The Vault aims to document reported phenomena objectively. Articles should present available information, evidence, investigations and interpretations without attempting to prove or disprove claims.
Editorial philosophy
The Vault is an encyclopaedic archive of unexplained phenomena, historical mysteries and paranormal research.
Articles should:
- Document reported events and claims.
- Explain the history and development of a subject.
- Present evidence and investigations.
- Include both supporting and critical perspectives.
- Distinguish between confirmed facts, reported claims and speculation.
The Vault does not exist to promote or dismiss paranormal claims. Its purpose is to preserve information and allow readers to explore the subject.
Writing style
Articles should use a neutral, professional tone.
Preferred wording
Use:
- "Witnesses have reported..."
- "Researchers have suggested..."
- "The case remains unexplained..."
- "The phenomenon has been investigated by..."
- "No accepted evidence has confirmed..."
Avoid:
- "This proves..."
- "This definitely exists..."
- "This is obviously fake..."
- "Scientists refuse to accept..."
- "Experts know..."
Extraordinary claims should be described accurately without exaggeration.
Article structure
Where appropriate, articles should follow the standard structure below.
General phenomena
Infobox Introduction Description History Reports and accounts Evidence Investigations Explanations Scientific perspective Cultural impact Related phenomena See also External links References
Cryptids
CryptidInfobox Introduction Description Origins and folklore History Notable sightings Evidence Investigations Proposed explanations Scientific perspective Cultural impact Related cryptids See also External links References
UFO / UAP cases
UFOInfobox Introduction Background Incident summary Witness accounts Physical evidence Official investigations Alternative explanations Sceptical analysis Legacy See also External links References
Haunted locations
HauntedLocationInfobox Introduction History of location Reported phenomena Notable incidents Investigations Explanations Media coverage See also External links References
Researchers and investigators
PersonInfobox Introduction Early life Career Research Notable investigations Publications Criticism and controversy Legacy References
Evidence classification
The Vault avoids categorising subjects simply as "real" or "fake".
Instead, articles should describe evidence using the following classifications.
Documented
A report, event, investigation or claim is historically recorded.
Example:
The Patterson–Gimlin film is a documented piece of footage recorded in 1967.
Reported
A claim or experience has been described by witnesses but remains unverified.
Example:
Thousands of Bigfoot sightings have been reported throughout North America.
Investigated
The subject has been examined by researchers, organisations or authorities.
Example:
The incident was investigated by Project Blue Book.
Unresolved
No accepted explanation currently exists.
Explained
A convincing conventional explanation has been proposed or demonstrated.
Example:
The image was later revealed to be a hoax.
Internal linking
Internal links should encourage exploration of related Vault content.
Link to:
- Related paranormal subjects.
- Important cases.
- Researchers.
- Organisations.
- Evidence types.
- Historical events.
Avoid unnecessary links to general topics that do not contribute to understanding the paranormal subject.
Good:
[[Bigfoot]] [[Cryptozoology]] [[Patterson–Gimlin film]] [[Jeff Meldrum]]
Avoid:
[[Forest]] [[Animal]] [[Canada]]
unless the topic itself is relevant.
Categories
Categories should describe the paranormal subject area.
Preferred examples:
Category:Cryptids Category:Lake monsters Category:UFO cases Category:Alien encounters Category:Ghosts Category:Haunted locations Category:Parapsychology Category:Forteana Category:Cryptozoology
Avoid overly broad categories unrelated to the Vault's purpose.
Citations and sources
Important factual claims should be supported with citations.
Sources should be prioritised in the following order:
Primary sources
- Official reports.
- Original witness statements.
- Government documents.
- Scientific papers.
- Archived newspapers.
Academic sources
- Peer-reviewed research.
- University publications.
- Books by recognised researchers.
Specialist sources
Examples include:
- Paranormal research organisations.
- Historical societies.
- Specialist journals.
- Fortean publications.
Popular sources
Television programmes, documentaries, blogs and online articles may be used where appropriate but should not be the sole source for important claims.
Images
Images should:
- Have appropriate copyright status.
- Include accurate descriptions.
- Include attribution where required.
- Avoid presenting speculation as fact.
Where an image is an artistic interpretation, it should be clearly labelled.
Example:
Caption = Artist's impression based on eyewitness descriptions.
Article introductions
The opening paragraph should answer:
- What is the subject?
- Why is it notable?
- What is its current status?
Example:
The Loch Ness Monster, also known as Nessie, is a legendary lake monster associated with Loch Ness in Scotland. It is one of the world's most famous cryptids and has been the subject of numerous investigations. Despite decades of reports, no physical evidence has been scientifically accepted as proof of its existence.
Contributor principles
Editors should:
- Write objectively.
- Cite important claims.
- Avoid sensational language.
- Respect differing interpretations.
- Distinguish between reports, evidence and conclusions.
- Improve articles rather than simply adding opinions.
The goal of The Vault is to create a reliable archive of the unexplained.