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On Halopedia you can add ref tags when citing sources. This uses the HTML <nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki> code.
{{Status|Halopedia}}
This help page provides information on [[wikipedia:citation|references or citation]], specifically the process of and format of referencing or citing a source of information. Halopedia has introduced a new standard for citations with the aim of being easier, more consistent and more future-proofed as the wiki continues to grow.


==Basic Concept==
The new system we're working with is designed to do several things to improve on the standard <nowiki><ref></nowiki> tags you're no-doubt familiar with as standard on most wikis. In no particular order, this system is designed to be easier, quicker, more consistent and futureproof. For a detailed explanation, see below.
===Format===
When citing sources, make sure that the URL/Source is formatted as so:
*<code><nowiki><ref>[http://ADD_URL_HERE '''{Media Title}''']: {Article/Chapter Title}, {Pages}</ref></nowiki></code>


For articles within Halopedia, make sure it is formatted as so:
==Overview==
*<code><nowiki><ref>[[ARTICLE TITLE|'''{Media Title}''']]: {Article/Chapter Title (Optional)}, {Pages}</ref></nowiki></code>
If you're familiar with using infobox templates already, the new sourcing system should come naturally to you. For a general jist, referencing works now by using a template to handle all layout, formatting and so forth of references - the only information you need to input is a link, a page name, chapter number or level. All bold and italic text, hyperlinking and placement of information is handled for you. As such, instead of having to write out;
:<code><nowiki><ref name="H5MeridianStation">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', campaign level [[Meridian Station]]</ref></nowiki></code>
To render,<ref name="H5MeridianStation1">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', campaign level [[Meridian Station]]</ref> you simply have to write;
:<code><nowiki>{{Ref/Level|Id=H5MeridianStation|H5G|Meridian Station}}</nowiki></code>
To render this.{{Ref/Level|Id=H5MeridianStation|H5G|Meridian Station}} Both methods produce the same outcome to the end reader, but the second option ensures that all citations use the exact same formatting and placement order for text and information, as a result making our pages look cleaner and more organised. For example, compare [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon|this page's]] reference section versus the one seen on [https://www.halopedia.org/index.php?title=United_Nations_Space_Command&oldid=1372609 this] revision of the UNSC page. With multiple editors employing slightly different styles for how references are formatted, things look messy - something this new system avoids entirely! Additionally, by using a lot of automation, we can ensure that reference formatting styles can be easily updated across the site in the future by updating the source template alone or using bots - something that massively helps with making the site as a whole adaptable for the future.


===Reference Tags===
If the stuff written above seems confusing or intimidating, that's fine. Below is written a deep-dive into some different referencing scenarios and what you'd do, but it doesn't cover everything. If you get stuck with anything, feel free to message one of our [[Halopedia:Administrators|Admins]] or [[Halopedia:Patrollers|Patrollers]] on the site or on the [[Halopedia:Discord server|Discord server]] and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
The basic concept of the <nowiki><ref></nowiki> tag is that it inserts the text enclosed by the ref tags as a footnote in a designated section, which you indicate with the this tag <nowiki><references/></nowiki>.  


If you don't include <nowiki><references/></nowiki> at the end of the article, none of the footnotes will appear.
==The crunch==
As explained prior, referencing is handled now via a template, the root of which can be found at [[Template:Ref]]. You may notice I said ''root''. That's because I lied. It's not a template, it's a system of several templates. Due to how many types of references we may want to do, we can't fit everything into one template, so it's broken into several specialist ones - luckily, they're all listed in the link I just provided. Additionally, typing <code><nowiki>{{Ref/</nowiki></code> in your wikitext editor will bring up a list of them in a little drop down menu, so you don't need to remember them all.


This page itself uses footnotes, such as the one at the end of this sentence.<ref>An example source</ref> If you view the Wikicode of this page by clicking "Edit this page", you can see a working example of footnotes.
Some of the most common scenarios are listed below.


*According to scientists, the Sun is pretty big.<ref>E. Miller, The Sun, (New York: Academic Press, 2005), 23-5.</ref>
===Referencing webpages===
*The Moon, however, is not so big.<ref>R. Smith, "Size of the Moon", Scientific American, 46 (April 1978): 44-6.</ref>
This section covers referencing websites. In general, the method for referencing a webpage is fairly standard, and we have some nifty tools to make sure that even deadlinks are workable via the automatic generation of Archive.org links. To use an example, take the example at the end of this sentence.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFRaven|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/thats-so-raven|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - That's So Raven|D=04|M=4|Y=2021}}


===Multiple uses of the same footnote===
Here's how this is broken down;
<nowiki>{{Ref/Site
|Id=CFRaven                                                      - (This parameter is the name we want to store in case we want to reuse this reference - see the Reusing Citations section below)
|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/thats-so-raven      - (The URL of the webpage we want to link to)
|Site=Halo Waypoint                                          - (The name of the website hosting the article such as Bungie.net, Halo Waypoint, IGN, Gamespot etc..)
|Page=Canon Fodder - That's So Raven                          - (The name of the article being linked to)
|D=04                                                            - (The day you are writing the article; most be two digits)
|M=4                                                              - (The month you are writing the article)
|Y=2021                                                          - (The year you are writing the article)
}}
</nowiki>


To give a footnote a unique identifier, use <nowiki><ref name="name"/></nowiki>. You can then refer to the same footnote again by using a ref tag with the same name. The text inside the second tag doesn't matter, because the text already exists in the first reference. You can either copy the whole footnote, or you can use a terminated empty ref tag that looks like this: <nowiki><ref name="name"/></nowiki>.
In this case, the <code>|D=|M=|Y=</code> parameters are there to provide date information to the template, allowing it to generate a link to Archive.org and the {{C|Retrieved on...}} text. This means that if the article being referenced is on a website that has since gone down, an auto-generated webarchive link will be provided without any input needed on the part of the user!


In the following example, the same source is cited three times.
There are some other options available for citing websites such as quotations; these additional optional parameters are covered in the [[Template:Ref/Site|Ref/Site]] documentation. We also have some other templates for citing web media including [[Template:Ref/YouTube|Ref/YouTube]] and [[Template:Ref/X|Ref/X]].


This is an example of multiple references to the same footnote.<ref name="multiple">Remember that when you refer to the same footnote multiple times, the text from the first reference is used.</ref>
===Referencing media===
This section covers the most common referencing you'll likely do; books, novels, comics, games and such. In general, referencing of these media forms all follows the same basic idea, with some slight changes depending on what exactly you're doing. For example, take this reference;{{Ref/Novel|Id=HO15|Oblv|Chapter=15|Page=123-124}}


Such references are particularly useful when citing sources, if different statements come from the same source.<ref name="multiple">This text is superfluous, and won't show up anywhere. We may as well just use an empty tag.</ref>
Here's now this reference is broken down, with accompanying notes in brackets to explain what's what.


A concise way to make multiple references is to use empty ref tags, which have a slash at the end. Although this may reduce redundant work, please be aware that if a future editor removes the first reference, this will result in the loss of all references using the empty ref tags.<ref name="multiple" />
<nowiki>{{Ref/Novel          - (The specific reference template we want to use to cite this media)
|Id=HO15                    - (This parameter is the name we want to store in case we want to reuse this reference - see the Reusing Citations section below)
|Oblv                        - (This is an Acronym that allows us to call this media title easily. See the Acronyms section below)
|Chapter=15                  - (Should be self-explanatory - place your chapter number here)
|Page=123-124                - (Should be self-explanatory - place your page number(s) here. In general for novels, we prefer chapter numbers over page ones though.)
}}</nowiki>


===Sources===
Depending on circumstance, you'll need a different referencing template. For referencing novels, you'd use [[Template:Ref/Novel|Ref/Novel]]. For reference books (IE ''Warfleet'' or the EVGs) you'd use [[Template:Ref/Book|Ref/Book]], for comics [[Template:Ref/Comic|Ref/Comic]] and so forth - you get the idea. Notably, we have several for games including [[Template:Ref/Level|campaign levels]], [[Template:Ref/Map|Multiplayer maps]], [[Template:Ref/Mode|gamemodes]] and a generic [[Template:Ref/Game|Ref/Game]] for misc. info. Below, I'll cover some scenarios so you can get an idea of how to use these templates.
<references/>


===Columns===
One important thing to note is that when referencing novels, Halopedia always prefers the use of simple chapter numbers over specific page numbers. Due to the prevalance of dozens of reissues of some books across the world and the growing presence of digital releases, managing page numbers is simply infeasible, whereas chapters are universal. When referencing hardback reference books, page numbers are still perfectly fine. In some cases when citing such reference material, it is considered acceptable to reference multiple pages (IE in the case of a double-page spread).
If you have a lot of references they can be placed in columns to save space and ease reading. Just add the following code:
<code><nowiki>{{reflist|NUMBER OF COLUMNS}}</nowiki></code>


==External Links==
To help mitigate this issue, the editing interface will bring up an error warning when attempting to use the <code>|page=</code> on the Ref/Novel template - it won't stop you from saving it, but this practice is '''highly discouraged'''. Additionally, a meta category, [[:Category:Pages using page number in novel citations]], will be added to the bottom of the page to list the page as requiring work. This will ''only'' happen when using page citations for novels; comics, reference books (etc) are unaffected.
 
====Acronyms====
As mentioned above, Acronyms are a system developed to make referencing media quicker than easier. As seen in the example used in the Overview section, this system essentially allows you to be <s>lazy</s>-efficient. Instead of having to write out particularly long source names such as ''Halo 5: Guardians'' or ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn'', this system simply allows you to type in the acronym of the appropriate media and the automation handles the rest. For example, typing out <code>H5G</code> will automatically translate to the reference displaying ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''.
 
Pretty simple right? For a full list of all (and I do mean ''all'') supported acronyms, see [[Halopedia:Acronyms]]. It's a very comprehensive list.
 
===Reusing citations===
Often times, you'll want to use the same citation to reference multiple pieces of information because you're a civilised person and understand the benefit of calling the same variable several times. As touched on above, this is handled easily in the new templates system. As a recap, how you're used to reusing citations right now is by typing out something like <code><nowiki><ref name="HO15"></nowiki></code>.
 
In the new system, all reference templates have a field called <code>Id=</code>. This works exactly the same way as our <code>name=</code>, except you type the name ''without'' quotation marks. To go back to our ''Halo: Oblivion'' citation{{Ref/Reuse|HO15}}, what we've got here in our field is this field; <code>|Id=HO15</code>
 
If we want to call the ''Halo: Oblivion'' citation later, all we need to use is following; <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Reuse|HO15}}</nowiki></code>. I'm not sure if there's much that needs explaining here - you simply add the tag of the reference you wish to call in the field.
 
===Notes===
To create a note for a specific text, simply type in <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Note|Your Text Here!}}</nowiki></code> to generate the following;{{Ref/Note|Your Text Here!}}
 
To display notes the bottom of the article, simply enter the template <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Notes}}</nowiki></code>. Doing so will list all notes using the aforementioned notes template.
{{Ref/Notes}}
 
===Citation lists===
To add a list of sources, you're likely used to typing out <code><nowiki><references/></nowiki></code> at the bottom of articles. This one is a pretty simple chance, as where you would type <code><nowiki><references/></nowiki></code> you now simply use the <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Sources}}</nowiki></code> tag. This is done so that we can customise reference list stylings consistently, should we need to. Typing <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Sources}}</nowiki></code> still gives you the below list;
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{Ref/Sources|2}}
 
===Worked examples===
The below table covers a large variety of referencing scenarios for various forms of media. If you're stuck, try copying one of the below codes and replacing the information!
 
====Games====
The below section covers referencing any game-related element. All quote and detail parameters are shared across all of these templates.
{| class="wikitable" width="75%"
! Type of reference !! Wikitext !! What you see !! Reference template used
|-
| Generic game || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Game|HFR|Ava Lang in-game model}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Game|HFR|Ava Lang in-game model}} || [[Template:Ref/Game|Ref/Game]]
|-
| Campaign level || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Level|H3ODST|Mombasa Streets}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Level|H3ODST|Mombasa Streets}} || [[Template:Ref/Level|Ref/Level]]
|-
| Campaign level, in which the Halopedia article name does not match up with the level name || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Level|HR|The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Level|HR|The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn}} || [[Template:Ref/Level|Ref/Level]]
|-
| Campaign level dialogue quote || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Level|H2|Metropolis|Quote=This here is sixty-six tons of straight up, H-E-spewing dee-vine intervention!|Quotee=Avery Johnson}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Level|H2|Metropolis|Quote=This here is sixty-six tons of straight up, H-E-spewing dee-vine intervention!|Quotee=Avery Johnson}} || [[Template:Ref/Level|Ref/Level]]
|-
| Multiplayer map || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Map|HW|Beasley's Plateau}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Map|HW|Beasley's Plateau}} || [[Template:Ref/Map|Ref/Map]]
|-
| Multiplayer map specific detail || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Map|HCE|Blood Gulch|Detail=Red base Forerunner symbols}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Map|HCE|Blood Gulch|Detail=Red base Forerunner symbols}} || [[Template:Ref/Map|Ref/Map]]
|-
| Firefight map || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/FFMap|HW2|The Last Bastion}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/FFMap|HW2|The Last Bastion}} || [[Template:Ref/FFMap|Ref/FFMap]]
|-
| Spartan Ops level || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/SpOps|Catherine|Shootout in Valhalla}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/SpOps|Catherine|Shootout in Valhalla}} || [[Template:Ref/SpOps|Ref/SpOps]]
|-
| Specific gametype || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Mode|H4|Flood (gametype)|Flood|Detail=Infected Spartan in-game model}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Mode|H4|Flood (gametype)|Flood|Detail=Infected Spartan in-game model}} || [[Template:Ref/Mode|Ref/Mode]]
|}
 
====Books, comics and other print media====
The below section covers referencing any print-related element including novels, short stories, anthology collections, comics and reference books. All specific quote and detail parameters are done in the same way as the game examples above. While not required, it is suggested to make the reuse <code>Id=</code> as specific as you can.
{| class="wikitable" width="75%"
! Type of reference !! Wikitext !! What you see !! Reference template used
|-
| Novel chapter citation || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Novel|Id=HTFORC22|TFOR|Chapter=22}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Novel|Id=HTFORC22|TFOR|Chapter=22}} || [[Template:Ref/Novel|Ref/Novel]]
|-
| Novel Prologue/Epilogue/Coda citation || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Novel|Id=HTFORP|TFOR|Chapter=Prologue}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Novel|Id=HTFORP|TFOR|Chapter=Prologue}} || [[Template:Ref/Novel|Ref/Novel]]
|-
| Reference book page || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Book|Id=WF38|HWF|Section=Frigates|Page=38-39}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Book|Id=WF38|HWF|Section=Frigates|Page=38-39}} || [[Template:Ref/Book|Ref/Book]]
|-
| Anthology short story || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Anthology|Id=MonaLisa|Evo|Story=The Mona Lisa}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Anthology|Id=MonaLisa|Evo|Story=The Mona Lisa}} || [[Template:Ref/Anthology|Ref/Anthology]]
|-
| Comic series issue || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Comic|Id=HEI17|HE|Issue=17}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Comic|Id=HEI17|HE|Issue=17}} || [[Template:Ref/Comic|Ref/Comic]]
|-
| Comic anthology story || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Comic|Id=HGNBQ|HGN|Story=Breaking Quarantine}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Comic|Id=HGNBQ|HGN|Story=Breaking Quarantine}} || [[Template:Ref/Comic|Ref/Comic]]
|}
 
====Web-based citations====
The below section covers referencing any website, YouTube video or X (previously Twitter) post. To easily write a X citation, simply copy and paste the individual tweet URL, then delete all the information except the poster's username and the ID number at the end, then simply add the rest of the information as needed.
{| class="wikitable" width="75%"
! Type of reference !! Wikitext !! What you see !! Reference template used
|-
| Webpage citation || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Site|Id=CFLocalUnits|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-local-units|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Local Units|D=19|M=3|Y=2021}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Site|Id=CFLocalUnits|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-local-units|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Local Units|D=19|M=3|Y=2021}} || [[Template:Ref/Site|Ref/Site]]
|-
| X.com post || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/X|Id=XDLC1|zaphodgjd|727601612441559045|Graeme Devine|Y=2020|M=10|D=19|Quote=Found this old @halowarss email today with story ideas for the DLC expansion.}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/X|Id=XDLC1|zaphodgjd|727601612441559045|Graeme Devine|Quote=Found this old @halowarss email today with story ideas for the DLC expansion.|D=19|M=10|Y=2020}} || [[Template:Ref/X|Ref/X]]
|-
| Twitter post (For Archive use only) || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Twitter|Id=TwitterDLC1|zaphodgjd|727601612441559045|Graeme Devine|Y=2020|M=10|D=19|Quote=Found this old @halowarss email today with story ideas for the DLC expansion.}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Twitter|Id=TwitterDLC1|zaphodgjd|727601612441559045|Graeme Devine|Quote=Found this old @halowarss email today with story ideas for the DLC expansion.|D=19|M=10|Y=2020}} || [[Template:Ref/Twitter|Ref/Twitter]]
|-
| YouTube video || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/YouTube|Id=H2CE|DWI7AhQFpTE|Bungie|Cutting Room Floor Weapons Vehicles and Characters|Y=2020|M=12|D=17|Detail=Official Bungie upload of the BTS video from the ''Halo 2'' Collector's Edition}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/YouTube|Id=H2CE|DWI7AhQFpTE|Bungie|Cutting Room Floor Weapons Vehicles and Characters|Y=2020|M=12|D=17|Detail=Official Bungie upload of the BTS video from the ''Halo 2'' Collector's Edition}} || [[Template:Ref/YouTube|Ref/YouTube]]
|-
| YouTube video with timestamp || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/YouTube|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|9BURsPjNKck|Time=3132|Channel=IGN|VideoName=Ex-Bungie Dev Shares Halo 2 Stories - Podcast Unlocked|Detail=52:12}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/YouTube|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|9BURsPjNKck|Time=3132|Channel=IGN|VideoName=Ex-Bungie Dev Shares Halo 2 Stories - Podcast Unlocked|Detail=52:12}} || [[Template:Ref/YouTube|Ref/YouTube]]
|-
| YouTube comment || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Site|Id=YTRocketSlothComment|URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FhCaORYSAo&lc=Ugy09xIpEXGC91o6zPF4AaABAg|Site=Youtube|Page=Rocket Sloth, We Discovered THE SECRET Behind Halo 3's DELETED Guardian|Detail=Comment|Quotee=Dan Miller|Quote=Great video guys!|D=22|M=01|Y=2021}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Site|Id=YTRocketSlothComment|URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FhCaORYSAo&lc=Ugy09xIpEXGC91o6zPF4AaABAg|Site=Youtube|Page=Rocket Sloth, We Discovered THE SECRET Behind Halo 3's DELETED Guardian|Detail=Comment|Quotee=Dan Miller|Quote=Great video guys!|D=22|M=01|Y=2021}} || [[Template:Ref/Site|Ref/Site]]
|}
 
====Films, Shows, and other film media====
The below section covers referencing any film, tv shows, and other film media. While not required, it is suggested to make the reuse <code>Id=</code> as specific as you can.
{| class="wikitable" width="75%"
! Type of reference !! Wikitext !! What you see !! Reference template used
|-
| Anthology citation || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Film|Id=HLTD|Film=Halo Legends|Story=The Duel}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Film|Id=HLTD|Film=Halo Legends|Story=The Duel}} || [[Template:Ref/Film|Ref/Film]]
|-
| Waypoint video citation || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Film|Id=Oct20|Film=Halo Waypoint|Story=Ten Twenty|StoryLinkText=Ten Twenty}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Film|Id=Oct20|Film=Halo Waypoint|Story=Ten Twenty|StoryLinkText=Ten Twenty}} || [[Template:Ref/Film|Ref/Film]]
|-
| Second Story + Misc || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Film|Id=HNSSOTB|Film=Halo: Nightfall|Story=Halo: Nightfall Second Stories|StoryLinkText=Second Stories|Episode=Halo: Nightfall: ONI: Trade Barriers|EpisodeLinkText=ONI: Trade Barriers}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Film|Id=HNSSOTB|Film=Halo: Nightfall|Story=Halo: Nightfall Second Stories|StoryLinkText=Second Stories|Episode=Halo: Nightfall: ONI: Trade Barriers|EpisodeLinkText=ONI: Trade Barriers}} || [[Template:Ref/Film|Ref/Film]]
|-
| TV show Episode citation || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Film|Id=HTVShow|Film=Halo: The Television Series|Story=Halo: The Television Series Season One|StoryLinkText=Season One|Episode=Episode 1|EpisodeLinkText=Episode 1}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Film|Id=HTVShow|Film=Halo: The Television Series|Story=Halo: The Television Series Season One|StoryLinkText=Season One|Episode=Episode 1|EpisodeLinkText=Episode 1}} || [[Template:Ref/Film|Ref/Film]]
|}
 
====ARG + Event + Misc====
The below section covers referencing any media that is not like most media. While not required, it is suggested to make the reuse <code>Id=</code> as specific as you can.
 
{| class="wikitable" width="75%"
! Type of reference !! Wikitext !! What you see !! Reference template used
|-
| Physical items citation || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Generic|Id=HLCDD2|Heading=[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Subheading=[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]|Detail=[[:File:LC 002 Doc 1.jpg|First Twelve Hours]]}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Generic|Id=HLCDD2|Heading=[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Subheading=[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]|Detail=[[:File:LC 002 Doc 1.jpg|First Twelve Hours]]}} || [[Template:Ref/Generic|Ref/Generic]]
|-
| Event citation || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Generic|Id=HODSICS|Heading=[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]|Subheading=[[Halo:_Outpost_Discovery#Scannable_items|Scannable items]]|Detail=[[:File:HOD Hall of History Support Ship.jpg|Colony Ship]]}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Generic|Id=HODSICS|Heading=[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]|Subheading=[[Halo: Outpost Discovery#Scannable items|Scannable items]]|Detail=[[:File:HOD Hall of History Support Ship.jpg|Colony Ship]]}} || [[Template:Ref/Generic|Ref/Generic]]
|-
| ARG citation || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Generic|Id=ILBC8J|Heading=[[I love bees|i love bees]]|Subheading=[[I Love Bees Axon Clips|Axon Clips]], [[Axon Clips Chapter 8|Chapter 8]]|Detail=Jan: "The Funeral"}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Generic|Id=ILBC8Jan|Heading=[[i love bees]]|Subheading=[[I Love Bees Axon Clips|Axon Clips]], [[Axon Clips Chapter 8|Chapter 8]]|Detail=Jan: "The Funeral"}} || [[Template:Ref/Generic|Ref/Generic]]
|-
| Marketing campaign citation || <code><nowiki>{{Ref/Generic|Id=Unspoken|Heading=[[Become]]|Subheading=[[UNSC Archives]]|Detail=[[Unspoken]]}}</nowiki></code> || {{Ref/Generic|Id=Unspoken|Heading=[[Become]]|Subheading=[[UNSC Archives]]|Detail=[[Unspoken]]}} || [[Template:Ref/Generic|Ref/Generic]]
|}
 
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
== External links ==
*[http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Cite/Cite.php Cite Code]
*[http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Cite/Cite.php Cite Code]


{{Helplist}}
{{Halopedia HAGP}}


[[Category: Help]]
[[Category:Help]]

Latest revision as of 08:12, July 5, 2024

This help page provides information on references or citation, specifically the process of and format of referencing or citing a source of information. Halopedia has introduced a new standard for citations with the aim of being easier, more consistent and more future-proofed as the wiki continues to grow.

The new system we're working with is designed to do several things to improve on the standard <ref> tags you're no-doubt familiar with as standard on most wikis. In no particular order, this system is designed to be easier, quicker, more consistent and futureproof. For a detailed explanation, see below.

Overview

If you're familiar with using infobox templates already, the new sourcing system should come naturally to you. For a general jist, referencing works now by using a template to handle all layout, formatting and so forth of references - the only information you need to input is a link, a page name, chapter number or level. All bold and italic text, hyperlinking and placement of information is handled for you. As such, instead of having to write out;

<ref name="H5MeridianStation">''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', campaign level [[Meridian Station]]</ref>

To render,[1] you simply have to write;

{{Ref/Level|Id=H5MeridianStation|H5G|Meridian Station}}

To render this.[2] Both methods produce the same outcome to the end reader, but the second option ensures that all citations use the exact same formatting and placement order for text and information, as a result making our pages look cleaner and more organised. For example, compare this page's reference section versus the one seen on this revision of the UNSC page. With multiple editors employing slightly different styles for how references are formatted, things look messy - something this new system avoids entirely! Additionally, by using a lot of automation, we can ensure that reference formatting styles can be easily updated across the site in the future by updating the source template alone or using bots - something that massively helps with making the site as a whole adaptable for the future.

If the stuff written above seems confusing or intimidating, that's fine. Below is written a deep-dive into some different referencing scenarios and what you'd do, but it doesn't cover everything. If you get stuck with anything, feel free to message one of our Admins or Patrollers on the site or on the Discord server and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

The crunch

As explained prior, referencing is handled now via a template, the root of which can be found at Template:Ref. You may notice I said root. That's because I lied. It's not a template, it's a system of several templates. Due to how many types of references we may want to do, we can't fit everything into one template, so it's broken into several specialist ones - luckily, they're all listed in the link I just provided. Additionally, typing {{Ref/ in your wikitext editor will bring up a list of them in a little drop down menu, so you don't need to remember them all.

Some of the most common scenarios are listed below.

Referencing webpages

This section covers referencing websites. In general, the method for referencing a webpage is fairly standard, and we have some nifty tools to make sure that even deadlinks are workable via the automatic generation of Archive.org links. To use an example, take the example at the end of this sentence.[3]

Here's how this is broken down; 

{{Ref/Site
 |Id=CFRaven                                                       - (This parameter is the name we want to store in case we want to reuse this reference - see the Reusing Citations section below)
 |URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/thats-so-raven       - (The URL of the webpage we want to link to)
 |Site=Halo Waypoint                                           - (The name of the website hosting the article such as Bungie.net, Halo Waypoint, IGN, Gamespot etc..)
 |Page=Canon Fodder - That's So Raven                          - (The name of the article being linked to)
 |D=04                                                             - (The day you are writing the article; most be two digits)
 |M=4                                                              - (The month you are writing the article)
 |Y=2021                                                           - (The year you are writing the article)
 }}

In this case, the |D=|M=|Y= parameters are there to provide date information to the template, allowing it to generate a link to Archive.org and the (Retrieved on...) text. This means that if the article being referenced is on a website that has since gone down, an auto-generated webarchive link will be provided without any input needed on the part of the user!

There are some other options available for citing websites such as quotations; these additional optional parameters are covered in the Ref/Site documentation. We also have some other templates for citing web media including Ref/YouTube and Ref/X.

Referencing media

This section covers the most common referencing you'll likely do; books, novels, comics, games and such. In general, referencing of these media forms all follows the same basic idea, with some slight changes depending on what exactly you're doing. For example, take this reference;[4]

Here's now this reference is broken down, with accompanying notes in brackets to explain what's what. 

{{Ref/Novel          - (The specific reference template we want to use to cite this media)
 |Id=HO15                     - (This parameter is the name we want to store in case we want to reuse this reference - see the Reusing Citations section below)
 |Oblv                        - (This is an Acronym that allows us to call this media title easily. See the Acronyms section below)
 |Chapter=15                  - (Should be self-explanatory - place your chapter number here)
 |Page=123-124                - (Should be self-explanatory - place your page number(s) here. In general for novels, we prefer chapter numbers over page ones though.)
 }}

Depending on circumstance, you'll need a different referencing template. For referencing novels, you'd use Ref/Novel. For reference books (IE Warfleet or the EVGs) you'd use Ref/Book, for comics Ref/Comic and so forth - you get the idea. Notably, we have several for games including campaign levels, Multiplayer maps, gamemodes and a generic Ref/Game for misc. info. Below, I'll cover some scenarios so you can get an idea of how to use these templates.

One important thing to note is that when referencing novels, Halopedia always prefers the use of simple chapter numbers over specific page numbers. Due to the prevalance of dozens of reissues of some books across the world and the growing presence of digital releases, managing page numbers is simply infeasible, whereas chapters are universal. When referencing hardback reference books, page numbers are still perfectly fine. In some cases when citing such reference material, it is considered acceptable to reference multiple pages (IE in the case of a double-page spread).

To help mitigate this issue, the editing interface will bring up an error warning when attempting to use the |page= on the Ref/Novel template - it won't stop you from saving it, but this practice is highly discouraged. Additionally, a meta category, Category:Pages using page number in novel citations, will be added to the bottom of the page to list the page as requiring work. This will only happen when using page citations for novels; comics, reference books (etc) are unaffected.

Acronyms

As mentioned above, Acronyms are a system developed to make referencing media quicker than easier. As seen in the example used in the Overview section, this system essentially allows you to be lazy-efficient. Instead of having to write out particularly long source names such as Halo 5: Guardians or Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, this system simply allows you to type in the acronym of the appropriate media and the automation handles the rest. For example, typing out H5G will automatically translate to the reference displaying Halo 5: Guardians.

Pretty simple right? For a full list of all (and I do mean all) supported acronyms, see Halopedia:Acronyms. It's a very comprehensive list.

Reusing citations

Often times, you'll want to use the same citation to reference multiple pieces of information because you're a civilised person and understand the benefit of calling the same variable several times. As touched on above, this is handled easily in the new templates system. As a recap, how you're used to reusing citations right now is by typing out something like <ref name="HO15">.

In the new system, all reference templates have a field called Id=. This works exactly the same way as our name=, except you type the name without quotation marks. To go back to our Halo: Oblivion citation[4], what we've got here in our field is this field; |Id=HO15

If we want to call the Halo: Oblivion citation later, all we need to use is following; {{Ref/Reuse|HO15}}. I'm not sure if there's much that needs explaining here - you simply add the tag of the reference you wish to call in the field.

Notes

To create a note for a specific text, simply type in {{Ref/Note|Your Text Here!}} to generate the following;[Note 1]

To display notes the bottom of the article, simply enter the template {{Ref/Notes}}. Doing so will list all notes using the aforementioned notes template.

  1. ^ Your Text Here!

Citation lists

To add a list of sources, you're likely used to typing out <references/> at the bottom of articles. This one is a pretty simple chance, as where you would type <references/> you now simply use the {{Ref/Sources}} tag. This is done so that we can customise reference list stylings consistently, should we need to. Typing {{Ref/Sources}} still gives you the below list;

  1. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Meridian Station
  2. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Meridian Station
  3. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - That's So Raven (Retrieved on Apr 4, 2021) [archive]
  4. ^ a b Halo: Oblivion, chapter 15, page 123-124

Worked examples

The below table covers a large variety of referencing scenarios for various forms of media. If you're stuck, try copying one of the below codes and replacing the information!

Games

The below section covers referencing any game-related element. All quote and detail parameters are shared across all of these templates.

Type of reference Wikitext What you see Reference template used
Generic game {{Ref/Game|HFR|Ava Lang in-game model}} [1] Ref/Game
Campaign level {{Ref/Level|H3ODST|Mombasa Streets}} [2] Ref/Level
Campaign level, in which the Halopedia article name does not match up with the level name {{Ref/Level|HR|The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn}} [3] Ref/Level
Campaign level dialogue quote {{Ref/Level|H2|Metropolis|Quote=This here is sixty-six tons of straight up, H-E-spewing dee-vine intervention!|Quotee=Avery Johnson}} [4] Ref/Level
Multiplayer map {{Ref/Map|HW|Beasley's Plateau}} [5] Ref/Map
Multiplayer map specific detail {{Ref/Map|HCE|Blood Gulch|Detail=Red base Forerunner symbols}} [6] Ref/Map
Firefight map {{Ref/FFMap|HW2|The Last Bastion}} [7] Ref/FFMap
Spartan Ops level {{Ref/SpOps|Catherine|Shootout in Valhalla}} [8] Ref/SpOps
Specific gametype {{Ref/Mode|H4|Flood (gametype)|Flood|Detail=Infected Spartan in-game model}} [9] Ref/Mode

Books, comics and other print media

The below section covers referencing any print-related element including novels, short stories, anthology collections, comics and reference books. All specific quote and detail parameters are done in the same way as the game examples above. While not required, it is suggested to make the reuse Id= as specific as you can.

Type of reference Wikitext What you see Reference template used
Novel chapter citation {{Ref/Novel|Id=HTFORC22|TFOR|Chapter=22}} [10] Ref/Novel
Novel Prologue/Epilogue/Coda citation {{Ref/Novel|Id=HTFORP|TFOR|Chapter=Prologue}} [11] Ref/Novel
Reference book page {{Ref/Book|Id=WF38|HWF|Section=Frigates|Page=38-39}} [12] Ref/Book
Anthology short story {{Ref/Anthology|Id=MonaLisa|Evo|Story=The Mona Lisa}} [13] Ref/Anthology
Comic series issue {{Ref/Comic|Id=HEI17|HE|Issue=17}} [14] Ref/Comic
Comic anthology story {{Ref/Comic|Id=HGNBQ|HGN|Story=Breaking Quarantine}} [15] Ref/Comic

Web-based citations

The below section covers referencing any website, YouTube video or X (previously Twitter) post. To easily write a X citation, simply copy and paste the individual tweet URL, then delete all the information except the poster's username and the ID number at the end, then simply add the rest of the information as needed.

Type of reference Wikitext What you see Reference template used
Webpage citation {{Ref/Site|Id=CFLocalUnits|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-local-units|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Local Units|D=19|M=3|Y=2021}} [16] Ref/Site
X.com post {{Ref/X|Id=XDLC1|zaphodgjd|727601612441559045|Graeme Devine|Y=2020|M=10|D=19|Quote=Found this old @halowarss email today with story ideas for the DLC expansion.}} [17] Ref/X
Twitter post (For Archive use only) {{Ref/Twitter|Id=TwitterDLC1|zaphodgjd|727601612441559045|Graeme Devine|Y=2020|M=10|D=19|Quote=Found this old @halowarss email today with story ideas for the DLC expansion.}} [18] Ref/Twitter
YouTube video {{Ref/YouTube|Id=H2CE|DWI7AhQFpTE|Bungie|Cutting Room Floor Weapons Vehicles and Characters|Y=2020|M=12|D=17|Detail=Official Bungie upload of the BTS video from the ''Halo 2'' Collector's Edition}} [19] Ref/YouTube
YouTube video with timestamp {{Ref/YouTube|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|9BURsPjNKck|Time=3132|Channel=IGN|VideoName=Ex-Bungie Dev Shares Halo 2 Stories - Podcast Unlocked|Detail=52:12}} [20] Ref/YouTube
YouTube comment {{Ref/Site|Id=YTRocketSlothComment|URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FhCaORYSAo&lc=Ugy09xIpEXGC91o6zPF4AaABAg|Site=Youtube|Page=Rocket Sloth, We Discovered THE SECRET Behind Halo 3's DELETED Guardian|Detail=Comment|Quotee=Dan Miller|Quote=Great video guys!|D=22|M=01|Y=2021}} [21] Ref/Site

Films, Shows, and other film media

The below section covers referencing any film, tv shows, and other film media. While not required, it is suggested to make the reuse Id= as specific as you can.

Type of reference Wikitext What you see Reference template used
Anthology citation {{Ref/Film|Id=HLTD|Film=Halo Legends|Story=The Duel}} [22] Ref/Film
Waypoint video citation {{Ref/Film|Id=Oct20|Film=Halo Waypoint|Story=Ten Twenty|StoryLinkText=Ten Twenty}} [23] Ref/Film
Second Story + Misc {{Ref/Film|Id=HNSSOTB|Film=Halo: Nightfall|Story=Halo: Nightfall Second Stories|StoryLinkText=Second Stories|Episode=Halo: Nightfall: ONI: Trade Barriers|EpisodeLinkText=ONI: Trade Barriers}} [24] Ref/Film
TV show Episode citation {{Ref/Film|Id=HTVShow|Film=Halo: The Television Series|Story=Halo: The Television Series Season One|StoryLinkText=Season One|Episode=Episode 1|EpisodeLinkText=Episode 1}} [25] Ref/Film

ARG + Event + Misc

The below section covers referencing any media that is not like most media. While not required, it is suggested to make the reuse Id= as specific as you can.

Type of reference Wikitext What you see Reference template used
Physical items citation {{Ref/Generic|Id=HLCDD2|Heading=[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Subheading=[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]|Detail=[[:File:LC 002 Doc 1.jpg|First Twelve Hours]]}} [26] Ref/Generic
Event citation {{Ref/Generic|Id=HODSICS|Heading=[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]|Subheading=[[Halo:_Outpost_Discovery#Scannable_items|Scannable items]]|Detail=[[:File:HOD Hall of History Support Ship.jpg|Colony Ship]]}} [27] Ref/Generic
ARG citation {{Ref/Generic|Id=ILBC8J|Heading=[[I love bees|i love bees]]|Subheading=[[I Love Bees Axon Clips|Axon Clips]], [[Axon Clips Chapter 8|Chapter 8]]|Detail=Jan: "The Funeral"}} [28] Ref/Generic
Marketing campaign citation {{Ref/Generic|Id=Unspoken|Heading=[[Become]]|Subheading=[[UNSC Archives]]|Detail=[[Unspoken]]}} [29] Ref/Generic

Sources

  1. ^ Halo: Fireteam Raven, Ava Lang in-game model
  2. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Mombasa Streets
  3. ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level The Pillar of Autumn
  4. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Metropolis: "This here is sixty-six tons of straight up, H-E-spewing dee-vine intervention!" - Avery Johnson
  5. ^ Halo Wars, multiplayer map Beasley's Plateau
  6. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, multiplayer map Blood Gulch: Red base Forerunner symbols
  7. ^ Halo Wars 2, Firefight map The Last Bastion
  8. ^ Halo 4 - Spartan Ops, episode Catherine, level Shootout in Valhalla
  9. ^ Halo 4, gamemode Flood: Infected Spartan in-game model
  10. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, chapter 22
  11. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, Prologue
  12. ^ Halo: Warfleet - Frigates, page 38-39
  13. ^ Halo: Evolutions - The Mona Lisa
  14. ^ Halo: Escalation, issue 17
  15. ^ Halo Graphic Novel - Breaking Quarantine
  16. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Local Units (Retrieved on Mar 19, 2021) [archive]
  17. ^ X.com, Graeme Devine (@zaphodgjd): "Found this old @halowarss email today with story ideas for the DLC expansion." (Retrieved on Oct 19, 2020) [archive]
  18. ^ Twitter, Graeme Devine (@zaphodgjd): "Found this old @halowarss email today with story ideas for the DLC expansion." (Retrieved on Oct 19, 2020) [archive]
  19. ^ YouTube - Bungie, Cutting Room Floor Weapons Vehicles and Characters: Official Bungie upload of the BTS video from the Halo 2 Collector's Edition (Retrieved on Dec 17, 2020)
  20. ^ YouTube - IGN, Ex-Bungie Dev Shares Halo 2 Stories - Podcast Unlocked: 52:12 (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020)
  21. ^ Youtube, Rocket Sloth, We Discovered THE SECRET Behind Halo 3's DELETED Guardian: Comment "Great video guys!" - Dan Miller (Retrieved on Jan 22, 2021) [archive]
  22. ^ Halo Legends - The Duel
  23. ^ Halo Waypoint - Ten Twenty
  24. ^ Halo: Nightfall - Second Stories, episode ONI: Trade Barriers
  25. ^ Halo: The Television Series - Season One, episode Episode 1
  26. ^ Halo Legendary Crate - Data Drop #2: First Twelve Hours
  27. ^ Halo: Outpost Discovery - Scannable items: Colony Ship
  28. ^ i love bees - Axon Clips, Chapter 8: Jan: "The Funeral"
  29. ^ Become - UNSC Archives: Unspoken

External links

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