Help:Talk pages

File:Wikipedia basics - Talk pages.ogv

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Guidelines and usage of talk pages on MediaWiki Template:Help page

Talk pages (also known as discussion pages) are a feature of MediaWiki that allows users to discuss the content of a page. They are an essential part of the collaborative editing process on Wikipedia and other MediaWiki-based projects.

Purpose[edit | edit source]

Talk pages serve as a forum for editors to discuss improvements to articles, resolve disputes, and make decisions about the content and structure of a page. They are not intended for general discussion about the subject of the article or for personal communication.

Accessing Talk Pages[edit | edit source]

To access a talk page, click on the "Talk" tab at the top of any article. This will take you to the associated talk page where you can read and participate in discussions.

Using Talk Pages[edit | edit source]

Starting a New Discussion[edit | edit source]

To start a new discussion, click on the "New section" tab at the top of the talk page. Enter a heading for your topic and then type your message in the text box. Remember to sign your comments by typing four tildes (Prab (talk) 23:36, 5 June 2024 (UTC)), which will automatically insert your username and the date.

Replying to a Discussion[edit | edit source]

To reply to an existing discussion, click the "Edit" link next to the section you want to respond to. Indent your reply by using colons (:) at the beginning of your comment. Each colon represents one level of indentation.

Archiving Discussions[edit | edit source]

When a talk page becomes too long, older discussions can be archived to keep the page manageable. This is usually done by moving old discussions to a subpage of the talk page, such as "Talk:Page name/Archive 1".

Etiquette[edit | edit source]

When participating in discussions on talk pages, it is important to follow talk page guidelines and maintain a civil and respectful tone. Avoid personal attacks and assume good faith in the contributions of others.