Talk pages

1. Talk Pages: Discussing and Improving Wikipedia Content

Talk pages are a fundamental, yet often overlooked, aspect of MediaWiki-based wikis like Wikipedia. They are dedicated discussion spaces associated with every page on the wiki, serving as the central hub for collaboration, debate, and improvement of content. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and effectively using talk pages, geared towards beginners. We will cover their purpose, structure, etiquette, and advanced features. Mastering talk pages is crucial for becoming a productive and respected member of the wiki community.

What is a Talk Page?

Every article, user page, file page, and even some special pages has an associated talk page. You can usually access the talk page by clicking the "Talk" tab at the top of the page. For example, the talk page for the article "Talk Pages" itself is located at Talk:Talk Pages. Think of the article page as the *content* and the talk page as the *workspace* for building that content.

The primary purpose of a talk page is to discuss improvements to the associated page. This includes:

• **Content Disputes:** Resolving disagreements about the accuracy, neutrality, or relevance of information.
• **Proposed Changes:** Suggesting additions, deletions, or modifications to the article.
• **Seeking Clarification:** Asking questions about the content or needing sources verified.
• **Collaboration:** Coordinating efforts with other editors to improve the article.
• **Requests for Assistance:** Asking for help with formatting, sourcing, or other technical aspects.
• **Policy Discussions:** Debating how wiki policies apply to the article's content.
• **Assessment:** Discussing the article's quality and potential for improvement, often relating to Wikipedia:Featured article criteria.

Crucially, talk pages are *not* for discussing the *topic* of the article itself. That kind of discussion belongs on other dedicated forums or external websites. Talk pages are specifically for discussing the *article*. This is a common point of confusion for newcomers.

Structure of a Talk Page

Talk pages are organized in a hierarchical structure, typically using sections and subsections.

• **Page Header:** At the top, you’ll usually find notices and templates, like warnings about deletion or requests for editing access.
• **New Topics Section:** A button labeled "Add topic" initiates a new discussion thread.
• **Existing Sections:** Discussions are grouped into sections, often given descriptive titles summarizing the topic.
• **Subsections:** Sections can be further divided into subsections for more focused discussions.
• **Timestamps:** Every comment is automatically timestamped, helping to follow the flow of conversation.
• **Signatures:** Editors sign their comments using three tildes (Admin (talk)), which automatically adds their username and a timestamp. (e.g., Admin (talk) becomes User:YourUsername 12:34, 1 January 2024)
• **Indentation:** Use indentation (using a colon `:` at the beginning of a line) to reply to specific comments and indicate a nested conversation. Each level of indentation adds another colon.

This structure helps keep discussions organized and easy to follow.

Talk Page Etiquette

Effective communication on talk pages requires adhering to certain principles of etiquette:

• **Be Civil:** Maintain a respectful and polite tone, even when disagreeing with others. Personal attacks are strictly prohibited. Remember the principle of Wikipedia:Assume good faith.
• **Be Clear and Concise:** State your points clearly and avoid rambling. Use proper grammar and spelling.
• **Focus on Content:** Discuss the content of the article, not the motivations or character of other editors.
• **Provide Evidence:** Support your claims with reliable sources. This is essential for building consensus. Consider using resources like Wikipedia:Verifiability.
• **Listen to Others:** Carefully consider the viewpoints of other editors, even if you disagree with them.
• **Avoid Edit Wars:** Repeatedly reverting edits without discussing them is counterproductive and can lead to sanctions. Use the talk page to reach a consensus. Understand the principles of Wikipedia:Consensus.
• **Archive Old Discussions:** Once a discussion has reached a conclusion, it should be archived to keep the talk page manageable. Archiving is typically done by bots or experienced editors.
• **Respect Closed Discussions:** Avoid re-opening discussions that have been closed unless new information or circumstances warrant it.
• **Use Edit Summaries:** When making changes to the article based on talk page discussions, include a concise edit summary referencing the discussion.

Following these guidelines fosters a collaborative and productive environment.

How to Start a New Discussion

1. **Click the "Talk" tab** on the page you want to discuss. 2. **Click "Add topic".** This will open a new section for your discussion. 3. **Write a Clear Subject:** Give your section a descriptive title that accurately reflects the topic. For example, "Proposed addition of information on X" or "Dispute over Y statement." 4. **State Your Point:** Clearly explain your suggestion, concern, or question. Provide supporting evidence if necessary. 5. **Sign Your Comment:** Add three tildes (Admin (talk)) at the end of your comment.

How to Reply to a Comment

1. **Find the comment** you want to reply to. 2. **Click the "Edit" link** next to the section title (or directly within the comment if using the visual editor). 3. **Add a colon (:)** at the beginning of each line of your reply to indent it. Use multiple colons for nested replies. 4. **Type your response.** 5. **Sign Your Comment:** Add three tildes (Admin (talk)) at the end of your comment. 6. **Save your changes.**

Using Templates on Talk Pages

MediaWiki allows the use of templates to streamline common tasks on talk pages. Some useful templates include:

• **Template:Edit request**: Used to formally request an edit to a semi-protected article.
• **Template:Discuss**: Used to flag a section of the article as needing discussion.
• **Template:POV-check**: Indicates a potential neutrality dispute.
• **Template:Citation needed**: Requests a citation for a claim.
• **Template:Expand section**: Suggests expanding a particular section of the article.
• **Template:Merge**: Proposes merging one article into another.
• **Template:Copyedit**: Suggests a copyedit to improve the article's writing style.

These templates provide a standardized way to communicate common issues and requests. A full list of available templates can be found at Wikipedia:Templates.

Advanced Talk Page Features

• **Watchlisting:** You can "watch" a page (including its talk page) to receive notifications when changes are made. This is a useful way to stay informed about discussions you're involved in.
• **Echo:** The Echo system provides a centralized notification system for various wiki activities, including talk page mentions.
• **Ping:** You can "ping" another editor by using their username preceded by a colon (e.g., :@Username). This sends them a notification, even if they haven't watchlisted the page.
• **Section Editing:** The visual editor allows you to edit individual sections of a talk page without editing the entire page.
• **Archiving:** Talk pages are typically archived automatically by bots (like ArchivistBot) after a certain period of inactivity. You can also manually archive discussions.

Understanding Technical Analysis and Trading Strategies (as they relate to Talk Page Discussions - Hypothetical)

While talk pages aren't for discussing trading, an editor might *discuss adding a section about trading strategies to a relevant article*. In such a case, understanding these terms is helpful for evaluating the proposed content.

Here's a glimpse of terms that *might* come up in such a discussion:

• **Technical Analysis:** Evaluating assets by analyzing past market data, primarily price and volume. [1]
• **Fundamental Analysis:** Evaluating assets by examining economic and financial factors. [2]
• **Moving Averages:** Indicators showing the average price over a specific period. [3] (Simple Moving Average (SMA), Exponential Moving Average (EMA)).
• **Relative Strength Index (RSI):** An oscillator measuring the magnitude of recent price changes to evaluate overbought or oversold conditions. [4]
• **MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence):** A trend-following momentum indicator. [5]
• **Bollinger Bands:** Volatility bands plotted above and below a moving average. [6]
• **Fibonacci Retracement:** A technical analysis tool used to identify potential support and resistance levels. [7]
• **Candlestick Patterns:** Visual representations of price movements used to identify potential trading opportunities (e.g., Doji, Hammer, Engulfing Pattern). [8]
• **Trend Lines:** Lines drawn on a chart connecting a series of highs or lows to identify the direction of a trend. [9]
• **Support and Resistance:** Price levels where the price tends to find support or encounter resistance. [10]
• **Breakout:** When the price moves above a resistance level or below a support level. [11]
• **Day Trading:** Buying and selling financial instruments within the same day. [12]
• **Swing Trading:** Holding positions for several days or weeks to profit from price swings. [13]
• **Scalping:** Making numerous small profits from tiny price changes. [14]
• **Position Trading:** Holding positions for months or years. [15]
• **Risk Management:** Techniques used to minimize potential losses. [16] (Stop-Loss Orders, Position Sizing)
• **Diversification:** Spreading investments across different asset classes. [17]
• **Correlation:** The statistical relationship between two assets. [18]
• **Volatility:** The degree of price fluctuation. [19] (Historical Volatility, Implied Volatility)
• **Backtesting:** Testing a trading strategy on historical data. [20]
• **Monte Carlo Simulation:** Using random sampling to model potential outcomes. [21]
• **Sharpe Ratio:** A risk-adjusted measure of return. [22]
• **Drawdown:** The peak-to-trough decline during a specific period. [23]
• **Elliott Wave Theory:** A technical analysis framework that identifies recurring wave patterns in price movements. [24]
• **Ichimoku Cloud:** A technical indicator that provides multiple data points in a single chart. [25]

Remember, these terms would only be relevant if the talk page discussion revolves around adding content *about* trading to an appropriate article. The talk page itself is not a forum for trading advice.

Conclusion

Talk pages are the lifeblood of collaborative editing on wikis. By understanding their purpose, structure, etiquette, and features, you can contribute effectively to the creation and improvement of high-quality content. Don't be afraid to participate – your voice matters!

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