DnPW:Style Guide

This page defines the general writing and formatting standards used across the Dan and Phil Wiki (DnPW). It ensures articles remain consistent, factual, and easy to read, while keeping the tone welcoming and community-driven. This page is a general guide, not a rule book. If you feel that something here should be done differently, be bold and make the change.

Writing style

• Use an encyclopaedic tone: informative, factual, and neutral, but not overly formal.
• Avoid opinionated or speculative phrasing, such as "Phil probably felt..." or "Fans think Dan meant...".
• Use present tense for ongoing situations and past tense for completed events.
• Both British and American English are accepted. Editors should not "correct" another user's spelling if it's regionally valid.
• Write in full sentences and paragraphs; avoid list-only articles unless appropriate, such as tour dates or playlists.

Article structure

• Start with a short, clear lead section that summarises the subject.
• Use standard section headings such as: Background, Overview, Production, Reception, Trivia.
• When relevant, include an infobox or quick facts table at the top, such as for videos, tours, or books.
• Keep formatting consistent between similar article types.

Formatting conventions

• Dates: Use the "1 January 2025" format to align with international readability.
• Titles: Italicise works such as books, tours, or shows (Interactive Introverts). Use quotation marks for video or episode titles ("Dan and Phil React to Phan Twitter 7").
• Names: Refer to Dan Howell and Phil Lester by full name on first mention in each article, then by first name or “Dan”/“Phil” if context is clear.
• Numbers: Use numerals for numbers 10 and above, and spell out one through nine.
• Capitalisation: Use sentence case for headings, except proper nouns.

Images

• Use images sparingly; aim for clarity, not clutter.
• The default image width should be left at the wiki’s or MediaWiki’s thumb default (no manual sizing unless necessary).
• Provide clear captions and alt text when possible.
• Only upload images that meet fair use or are freely licensed. See DnPW:Image_Guidelines.

Linking

• Link names and recurring concepts the first time they appear in an article.
• Avoid overlinking; if a term appears multiple times in the same paragraph, link it once.
• Use [[internal links]] for wiki articles and full URLs for external official sources such as YouTube, BBC, or tour websites.

Citations

• Prefer timestamps when referencing specific moments in a video or livestream.
• Use official or primary sources where possible, such as YouTube uploads, official sites, or verified social media.
• Use <ref> tags and the <references /> section for inline citations.
• Avoid speculative or anonymous sources such as fan tweets or forums.

Categories

• Add at least one relevant category to every article.
• Use existing categories before creating new ones.
• Categories should be descriptive and simple, such as "Category:Videos", "Category:Tours", or "Category:Books".

Consistency

When unsure, imitate the formatting of an existing, well-developed article. Consistency across pages is more important than individual preference.

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This page is part of the Editing Manual and is maintained by the DnPW community. Updates and improvements are welcome on the talk page.