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KHDatabase:Manual of Style

From Kingdom Hearts Database

The Manual of Style (also known as the MoS or Manual) is a resource for writing and formatting articles on the Kingdom Hearts Database. The Manual of Style makes it easier to find and use information on the Database, and makes it easier for new and inexperienced editors to contribute to the Database. It establishes consistent article formats and writing guidelines for all the different types of articles on the Database.

Should questions arise regarding the Manual of Style in articles, these should be discussed on the article’s talk page. Changes to the Manual itself should be discussed on the talk page.

General[edit source]

These guidelines should be followed throughout the Database, regardless of article type.

  • The Kingdom Hearts Database is based in the United States, and all articles should follow American English conventions/practices for grammar and punctuation.

Titles[edit source]

  • Articles should be named according to the official name of the subject, as found in the games or other officially published work. Article titles should capitalize all proper nouns, as well as any other words officially capitalized in the games or other officially published work.
Example: "Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep", "Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX", "Way to the Dawn", "The 13th Struggle"
  • For subjects that have had names changed over various games, use the version of the name most recently used. Earlier names should be created as redirects to the article.
  • Do not use abbreviations in article text or titles.
Example: Use "Kingdom Hearts II" not KHII or KH2.
  • Titles should use the English version of any term, even if the Japanese version doesn't match. The Japanese version of a translation may be listed during the opening paragraph using the Nihongo template.
Example: Use "Magic Galvanizer" not "Magic Combo Up", or use "Aliens" not "Little Green Men".

Content[edit source]

  • The first sentence in the introduction should have a simple and brief definition of the subject. The subject should be written in bold in the first sentence. Use the definite article "the" if needed, and refer to the subject in singular form, unless as appropriate.
Example: The Keyblade is Sora’s main weapon. Sora acquired the Keyblade in Destiny Islands.
Example: Sora is a Keyblade wielder, and the main protagonist of the Kingdom Hearts series.
  • Do not use the second-person pronoun "you" in articles, unless describing strategies in the Walkthrough space.
  • Possessive terms do not have an additional "s" if the term is plural. An "s" should be added if the singular form ends in "s".
Example: Use "Xemnas's", not "Xemnas'", but use "Nobodies'", not "Nobodies's"
  • Use italics on all game titles.
  • Capitalize all proper nouns always, including terms that are officially capitalized.
    • The following terms are always capitalized: "Keyblade"
  • Use the following order for templates at the beginning of most articles:
  • There are infoboxes and navigation templates for nearly every article type on the Database (ex. InfoGame, InfoCharacter, InfoKeyblade, etc.). Check the type of article in this guide, and use the appropriate templates on those articles. Ask a staff member if you’re not sure which templates to use.
  • Use links for terms the first time they appear in an article. An article can be linked more than once in an article to link to individual sections, or to clarify a topic referred to, but not explicitly named, in the article text.
  • Content should be verifiable in either the games or by other officially-published materials (books, guides, interviews, etc.). Information that is speculative, like evaluating a character’s motivations or personality, should not be added to Database articles.
  • Trivia sections should exist when the following is true:
  1. The information is verifiable
  2. The information is interesting, such as an Easter egg, a real-world reference, or an allusion to another topic. This is the high bar of trivia; speculation and opinion, as interesting as it may be, is not trivia
Example: "Disney Town bares a strong resemblance to Main Street, USA in Disneyland" is a fact. "Disney Town is likely based on Main Street, USA in Disneyland" is not a fact; it can’t be proven that Main Street, USA is the inspiration behind Disney Town, and it is phrased as an opinion more than a fact.
  1. The information does not fit anywhere else in the article.

Game Abbreviations[edit source]

As per the Media policy and Gamedefn, use the following abbreviations for consistency when uploading files and creating templates on the Kingdom Hearts Database:

Code Game
KH Kingdom Hearts
KHFM Kingdom Hearts Final Mix
COM Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories
RECOM Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories
KHII Kingdom Hearts II
KHIIFM Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
CODE Kingdom Hearts coded
RECO Kingdom Hearts Re:coded
358 Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
BBS Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
BBSFM Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix
0.2BBS Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-
KH3D Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
3DHD Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance HD
HD1.5 Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX
HD2.5 Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX
HD2.8 Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
KHX Kingdom Hearts χ
UCX Kingdom Hearts Unchained χ
XBC Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover
UXC Kingdom Hearts Union χ
1.5+2.5 Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX
KHIII Kingdom Hearts III
KHIIIRM Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind
KHDR Kingdom Hearts Dark Road
MOM Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory
Other titles
KHVC Kingdom Hearts V CAST
358MP Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Magical Puzzle Clash
RECGS Kingdom Hearts Re:coded Gummiship Studio
KHM Kingdom Hearts Mobile
CFB Kingdom Hearts Concert -First Breath-
OWT Kingdom Hearts Orchestra -World Tour-
WOT Kingdom Hearts Orchestra -World of Tres-
KHVR Kingdom Hearts: VR Experience

Game articles[edit source]

  • Each game title should have its own article.
  • Always use the complete and official name of a game for its article.
  • Game articles use the InfoGame template.
  • Game articles should focus on the plot of the game (including elements that tie into the plot of the whole series), the development history of the game, and significant gameplay elements.
  • Use the GameNav or other related navigation templates at the bottom of the article.

Layout[edit source]

Use the following layout for game articles.

  • Introduction: (no heading)
  • Story: A detailed summary of the plot of the game. Focus on key elements of the story, but be sure to detail any events that tie into the main plot of the series.
  • Worlds and Characters: A list of all the characters in the game, divided by the world in which they appear or reside in. Characters that don’t have a world in the game, such as summons, should be listed in a “Other” group at the beginning of the list. List all worlds in order of appearance.
  • Gameplay: A summary of key elements of the gameplay. Include details for new gameplay elements or elements exclusive to the game.
  • Development: Detail the events surrounding the game’s development, such as trailer reveals, interviews, and announcements, in chronological order leading up to the game’s final regional release. Include any post-release events, such as game accomplishments, post-launch downloadable content or updates, and interviews.
  • Trivia: (as needed)
  • External Links: Links to official/promotional websites, if they exist.
  • References: Reference list.

Examples[edit source]

These articles have been written to comply with this section of the Style Guide, and are considered the best representation for this type of article:

Character articles[edit source]

  • Every character should have their own article.
  • Articles should focus on the character’s role in the Kingdom Hearts series. Avoid adding information that is derived from the character’s appearance in their original works, such as Disney films or Final Fantasy games.
  • Use the full name of the character as they appear in the Kingdom Hearts series, regardless of how their name appears in the work they originate from.
Example: Use Cloud, not Cloud Strife.
  • Characters articles use the InfoCharacter infobox.
  • Add a quote directly after the infobox for which the character is most likely known best for or best exemplifies the character’s personality or role in the games.
  • A Kingdom Hearts original character’s first appearance refers to the game they first play an active role; appearances in secret endings, trailers, etc. do not count.
  • Information on battle strategy for enemy character articles should go on the related Walkthrough article. See battle articles below.
  • Use relevant navigation templates at the bottom of the article.

Layout[edit source]

Use the following layout for character articles.

  • Introduction: (no heading)
  • Story: A detailed summary of the character’s role in the game(s) they appear in. Divide this section by game, even if the character only appears in one game.
  • Appearance: Describe the character’s physical appearance, including clothing, body details, etc. Describe changes in appearance across worlds in separate paragraphs for each world change.
  • Origin and Development: Briefly describe the character’s origins, including the plot for their original film/game. Be sure to begin the first sentence with the character’s name in bold. Do not go into too much detail for any character’s origins. Detail any events surrounding the character’s development in the games, such as trailer reveals, interviews, and announcements, in chronological order leading up to the game’s final regional release. Include any post-release events, such as interviews.
  • Trivia: (as needed)
  • References: Reference list.

Examples[edit source]

These articles have been written to comply with this section of the Style Guide, and are considered the best representation for this type of article:

World articles[edit source]

  • Every world should have its own article.
  • Use the name of the world as it appears in the most recently-released game.
Example: Use Neverland, as it appears in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, not Never Land, as it appears in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days.
  • Some worlds may be similar to others but with different names. Each world should have its own article, regardless of whether they appear to be the same world.
Example: Both Disney Castle and Disney Town have their own, separate articles, despite technically being the same world.
  • World articles use the InfoWorld infobox.
  • Articles should focus on the world’s appearance in the Kingdom Hearts series. Avoid adding information that is derived from the world’s origin, such as Disney films or Final Fantasy games.
  • Articles should focus on the world’s story, characters, and development. Gameplay information, such as treasure chest locations, prizes, enemies, etc. should be in the world’s respective Walkthrough article. See Walkthrough articles below.

Layout[edit source]

Use the following layout for world articles.

  • Introduction: (no heading)
  • Story: A detailed summary of the world’s plot. Divide this section by game, even if the character only appears in one game.
  • Characters: Add the characters that appear in the world in a gallery, using the renders for each character as they appear in that world. Use links to each character’s article as the caption, and make the captions bold for characters that are party members. List party members first, starting with the main playable character and default party members, if applicable.
Example: Use Sora’s Toy Box render for the character gallery in the Toy Box article. In that same gallery, Sora, Donald Duck, Goofy, Woody Pride, and Buzz Lightyear should be in bold and first in that gallery, in that order.
    • Enemies: List all the enemies that appear in the world in a gallery, starting with characters. List all non-character enemies by species in separate galleries.
  • Origin and Development: Briefly describe the world’s origin, including the plot for its original film/game. Be sure to begin the first sentence with the film or game title in bold. Do not go into too much detail for any world’s origins. Detail any events surrounding the world’s development in the games, such as trailer reveals, interviews, and announcements, in chronological order leading up to the game’s final regional release. Include any post-release events, such as interviews.
  • Trivia: (as needed)
  • References: Reference list.

Examples[edit source]

These articles have been written to comply with this section of the Style Guide, and are considered the best representation for this type of article:

Weapon articles[edit source]

  • Every weapon should have its own article, including an article for each Keyblade, shield, and staff.
  • Weapon article titles should come from the most recent game, as it appears in the in-game menu.
  • Use the InfoKeybalde, InfoShield, InfoStaff, or other appropriate infobox template.

Layout[edit source]

Use the following layout for world articles.

  • Introduction: (no heading)
  • Story: A detailed summary of any related story elements.
  • Appearance: Describe the weapon’s physical appearance. Highlight any elements of the weapon’s design that may relate to in-game world elements or allusions to characters, original film/game elements, etc.
  • Origin and Development: Detail any events surrounding the weapon’s development in the games, such as trailer reveals, interviews, and announcements, in chronological order leading up to the game’s final regional release. Include any post-release events, such as interviews or post-launch content or updates.
  • Trivia: (as needed)
  • References: Reference list.

Walkthrough articles[edit source]

  • Walkthrough articles should be created for each playable world, and for each character that is engaged in battle.
  • Character walkthrough articles should be titled “Walkthrough:<<Character name>>”. World walkthrough articles should be titled “Walkthrough:<<Game title>>/<<World name>>”.
Example: A walkthrough article for Maleficent should be located at Walkthrough:Maleficent. A walkthrough article for Hollow Bastion in Kingdom Hearts should be in Walkthrough:Kingdom Hearts (game)/Hollow Bastion.
  • ”Walkthrough:<<World name>>” should be a directory to the walkthroughs of each game.
Example: Walkthrough:Hollow Bastion should be a directory to the walkthroughs for Hollow Bastion in Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, Kingdom Hearts II, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, and Kingdom Hearts Re:coded.
  • Walkthrough articles can be more casual in tone, as you are suggesting tactics for progressing through the game based on facts rather than writing just factual information. Use of the personal pronoun “you” is allowed in Walkthrough articles.
  • For world walkthrough articles, use appropriate templates and tables to highlight minigame objectives, locations of treasure chests and other items, and enemy stats.
  • For character walkthrough articles, use InfoEnemy to list enemy stats and victory bonuses.

World Walkthrough Layout[edit source]

Use the following layout for world walkthrough articles.

  • Introduction: (no heading) As in a professional walkthrough, briefly explain where you are in the game. See the Bradygames guides for an example.
  • Walkthrough: Walk the reader through the world’s events, suggesting routes to acquire as many or all of the available items. Use links to send the reader to Walkthrough articles for any enemies.
  • Trivia: (as needed)
  • Next: Link to the next article in the game’s walkthrough sequence.

Character Walkthrough Layout[edit source]

Use the following layout for character walkthrough articles.

  • Introduction: (no heading) As in a professional walkthrough, briefly explain where you are in the game. See the Bradygames guides for an example.
  • Walkthrough: Walk the reader through the fighting the enemy. Highlight strategies to avoid enemy damage or to deal the most damage. Divide the strategies by game, even if the enemy appears in just one game.
  • Trivia: (as needed)
  • Link: Link to related world walkthrough articles.
Example: Walkthrough:Captain Hook would link in this section to Walkthrough:Kingdom Hearts (game)/Neverland and Walkthrough:Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories/Neverland.

Transcript articles[edit source]

  • Every character that speaks, every world with dialogue, and every game title should have its own transcript article.
  • For characters, transcript articles contain dialogue quotes, are divided by game, and sorted by in-game appearance, not chronological order. Flashbacks should appear in their location in-game, not in timeline.
  • For games, transcript articles are largely a directory to each world's respective transcript article in in-game order.
  • For worlds, transcript articles are a directory to each cutscene as a subpage of the world. The transcript of each cutscene is in its own subpage to the world the scene appears in, as listed in Theater Mode. World transcript pages also have, between links to each cutscene subpage, transcripts not part of named cutscenes, such as seen in talk bubbles and when talking optionally to characters in non-battle areas.
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