Editing Help:Citing

This page is a basic guide to citing sources for use within an article.

== Overview ==
The goal of this wiki is to provide factual information that, broadly speaking, is backed up by credible sources. To that end, this wiki provides templates for referencing different types of media. In all cases, reference templates should be preceded by the <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code> tag and followed by the <code><nowiki></ref></nowiki></code> tag. Under the <code><nowiki>== References ==</nowiki></code> header at the end of each page, inserting the <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code> tag will generate a complete list of references used.
=== Citing a book ===
When citing from a published book, use the <code><nowiki>{{Cite book}}</nowiki></code> template. For example, the blank template would look like this:<br>
<code><nowiki><ref>{{Cite book|quote= |author= |published= |chapter= |title= |url= |page= |retrieved= }}</ref></nowiki></code>

Simply fill in the blank spaces within this template and a citation will be generated. Leaving a section blank will omit it from the rendered citation. For example, the following citation will omit the quote, chapter, url, and page: <ref>{{Cite book|author=CircleHunter|published=October 20, 2023|title=Citations and You|retrieved=October 20, 2022}}</ref>

<references />

Now, compare it to a citation that utilizes each section: <ref>{{Cite book|quote=This is what a citation looks like when you use a quote!|author=CircleHunter|published=October 20, 2023|chapter=Chapter 2: Citing a Book|title=Citations and You|url=https://blueoystercult.withinhubris.com|page=69|retrieved=October 20, 2023}}</ref>

<references />

=== Citing a website ===
When citing from a website, use the <code><nowiki>{{Cite web}}</nowiki></code> template. For example, the blank template would look like this:<br>
<code><nowiki><ref>{{Cite web|quote= |author= |published= |title= |url= |site= |retrieved= }}</ref></nowiki></code>

The same rules apply for this template (and all that follow) as the above.

=== Citing an album ===
When citing an album's text, use the <code><nowiki>{{Cite album}}</nowiki></code> template. For example, the blank template would look like this:<br>
<code><nowiki><ref>{{Cite album|quote= |author= |published= |title= |page= }}</ref></nowiki></code>

== Keep in mind ==
* All dates should be rendered in (Month) (Day), (Year) format.
* When naming an author, usernames are an acceptable substitute if either of the following conditions are met:
** The author's real name is not public information
** The username is the author's preferred name for reference purposes
[[Category:Guidelines]]