Our taxonomy is a mess. As second part of my two part approach to try changing that to the better this is a suggested blueprint for tag wikis. (Part One: Tagging Guideline)
In this post I am suggesting a blueprint for tag wikis. If the feedback is well I'll put the result in a CW answer and accept it. Thus, providing a copy-paste blueprint for anyone who wants to help editing tag wikis. Including a list of all the use some other tag bullet points to choose from.
There are two things to consider about tag wikis. The actual tag wiki and the tag wiki excerpts. The latter are the texts that are displayed when choosing the tag or hovering about a tag anywhere on the site. Now to the blueprints
Tag wiki excerpt
This tag is for questions about whatever the tag is primarily about. The tag wiki excerpt can at most be 500 characters long. No mark-ups can be used. Only plain text is allowed. Thus, CAPITAL LETTERS are the only way to emphasize in any way. At a maximum one thing should be emphasized with capital letters most likely the primary requirement for questions with the tag. To save space only listing the most commonly mistaken other tag is advised. This example has near five-hundred characters.
Example: Word-Choice
This tag is for questions about choosing the best word FROM A GIVEN SELECTION for a particular context or meaning. The selection to choose from must appear in the question. If you do not know the word already, use single-word-requests.
- Stay the hand with the capital letters.
- List the most commonly mistaken tag for distinction.
- Keep it short and simple.
- The beginning phrase This tag is will not be displayed in tag overview page. Continuing the sentence with for questions about will improve the feeling of a more coordinated taxonomy.
Tag wiki body
Use this tag for questions that are about using a word correctly in a particular situation or context.
Consider the question check list if your question fits the tag. You can also look at the example questions. If this tag doesn't fit your question have a look below at somehow related tags that might fit your question better.
Question checklist
- Is the question about the usage of one word or compound?
- Does the question contain the word?
- Does the question clearly describe the concern regarding the usage?
Example questions
- Can “née” be used for entities other than people?
- Is “dear” commonly used to describe something that costs too much?
- Is the word “author” correct for the artist who created particular painting?
Not what you are looking for?
- Use phrase-usage for questions about the usage of complete phrases.
- Use word-choice for questions that concentrate on choosing between two words.
- Use single-word-requests if you don't know the word you need yet.
While the example above is a tag wiki I wrote myself, I do not want to adorn myself with borrowed plumes. The structure is a merge from good ideas of the few other good wikis that existed already. In my opinion the tag wiki should provide answers to four questions:
- What is this tag about?
- Is my question complete?
- What are good example questions?
- I'm wrong here, what other tag do I use?
Those questions are answered by the introductory paragraph and the three lists. In my opinion three defining checks, three examples and three alternative tags should be enough.
What's your opinion on the blueprints?
