STYLE GUIDE
The Vault Editorial Style Guide
This guide establishes the writing, structure and formatting standards used throughout The Vault. All articles should aim for accuracy, neutrality and clear separation between reported claims, evidence and interpretation.
The Vault Style Guide
The Vault is an encyclopaedic archive documenting paranormal phenomena, unexplained events, folklore, investigations, researchers and cultural influences.
Articles should be written in a neutral, research-focused style. The Vault does not attempt to prove or disprove paranormal claims; instead, it documents:
- Reported experiences
- Historical accounts
- Available evidence
- Investigations
- Explanations and criticism
- Cultural impact
The goal is to provide a balanced reference resource covering subjects from cryptids and UFO phenomena to parapsychology, ghosts and hauntings, folklore and Forteana.
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Core Principles
Neutrality
Articles must distinguish clearly between:
- Claims — what witnesses, researchers or traditions report
- Evidence — material or documented information relating to those claims
- Interpretations — explanations offered by researchers, sceptics or believers
Avoid presenting unverified claims as established fact.
Preferred:
Witnesses reported seeing a large unidentified creature in the area.
Avoid:
A creature lives in the forest and has been seen by witnesses.
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Evidence Language
Use careful wording when discussing uncertain information.
Recommended phrases:
- "is reported to have..."
- "allegedly..."
- "according to witnesses..."
- "researchers have suggested..."
- "no verified evidence has confirmed..."
Avoid:
- "proves"
- "disproves"
- "definitely exists"
- "definitely fake"
unless referring to established facts.
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Article Structure
Articles should follow the appropriate structure depending on the subject type.
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- Cryptid Articles
Examples:
Recommended structure:
{{CryptidInfobox}}
Introduction
== Description ==
== History ==
== Reported Encounters ==
== Evidence ==
== Investigations ==
== Alternative Explanations ==
== In Popular Culture ==
{{VaultAssessment}}
{{VaultEvidence}}
== See also ==
== References ==
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CryptidInfobox
Used for creatures and entities.
Required fields:
- Name
- Classification
- Region
- Status
Recommended fields:
- Alternative names
- First reported date
- Image
---
VaultAssessment
Used to summarise the current understanding of the subject.
It should answer:
"Where does the subject currently stand?"
Example:
{{VaultAssessment
|category=Cryptid
|status=Unconfirmed
|evidence=Eyewitness reports and alleged physical evidence
|research=Investigated by cryptozoologists and researchers
|assessment=No verified evidence has confirmed the existence of the creature.
}}
---
VaultEvidence
Used where evidence is a major part of the subject.
It summarises:
- Physical evidence
- Reports
- Investigations
- Alternative explanations
Example:
{{VaultEvidence
|level=2
|label=Low
|physical=No verified specimen exists
|reports=Thousands of reported sightings
|investigation=Extensively investigated by researchers
|explanation=Misidentification and hoaxes remain possible
}}
---
- Person Articles
Examples:
- Authors
- Researchers
- Investigators
- Witnesses
- Organisations
Examples:
Recommended structure:
{{PersonInfobox}}
Introduction
== Early Life ==
== Career ==
== Paranormal Connections ==
== Research / Works ==
== Influence ==
{{VaultProfileAssessment}}
== See also ==
== References ==
---
VaultProfileAssessment
Used for people and organisations.
It does not assess whether a person is "paranormal".
It explains their relevance to The Vault.
Example:
{{VaultProfileAssessment
|category=Author / Cultural Figure
|relevance=High
|connection=Supernatural fiction and paranormal themes
|assessment=The subject has significantly influenced public interest in paranormal concepts.
}}
---
- Location Articles
Examples:
- Haunted buildings
- UFO locations
- Mystery sites
Recommended structure:
{{LocationInfobox}}
Introduction
== History ==
== Reported Phenomena ==
== Notable Cases ==
== Investigations ==
== Explanations ==
{{VaultLocationAssessment}}
== See also ==
== References ==
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VaultLocationAssessment
Used for places associated with unexplained events.
Example:
{{VaultLocationAssessment
|type=Haunted Location
|reports=Reports of apparitions and unexplained activity
|investigation=Investigated by researchers and paranormal groups
|history=The location has a long association with ghost folklore
|assessment=The site remains culturally significant, although evidence remains unverified.
}}
---
- Case Articles
Examples:
- UFO sightings
- Individual hauntings
- Paranormal investigations
Recommended structure:
{{CaseInfobox}}
Introduction
== Background ==
== Witness Accounts ==
== Investigation ==
== Evidence ==
== Explanations ==
== Legacy ==
{{VaultAssessment}}
{{VaultEvidence}}
== References ==
---
Images
Images should be clearly identified.
Acceptable captions:
Illustration based on eyewitness descriptions
Historical photograph of the location
Avoid:
Photograph of the creature
unless the image is genuinely accepted as such.
AI-generated images must always be labelled as:
AI-generated illustration
They should never be presented as evidence.
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Internal Linking
Only link terms relevant to The Vault.
Good examples:
[[Cryptozoology]] [[Parapsychology]] [[UFO phenomena]] [[Ghosts and Hauntings]] [[Patterson–Gimlin film]]
Avoid excessive linking of ordinary words.
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Categories
Every article should belong to appropriate categories.
Examples:
Cryptid:
[[Category:Cryptids]] [[Category:Cryptozoology]]
Person:
[[Category:People]] [[Category:Researchers]]
Location:
[[Category:Haunted Locations]] [[Category:Places]]
---
References
All factual claims should be supported where possible.
Use:
<ref>{{cite web
|title=
|url=
|website=
|date=
}}</ref>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
Sources should include:
- Academic publications
- Books from recognised publishers
- Historical records
- Reputable journalism
- Research organisations
Avoid relying solely on:
- Blogs
- Unsourced claims
- Social media posts
- Paranormal entertainment programmes
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Writing Style
The Vault uses British English.
Articles should be:
- Clear
- Informative
- Neutral
- Accessible
Avoid:
- Sensational language
- Mockery of beliefs
- Promotion of claims
- Dismissive language
The Vault documents mysteries. It does not manufacture them.
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