Wikipedia:WikiProject Military history/Academy/When to use sections
 | This page is part of the Military history WikiProject's online Academy, and contains instructions, recommendations, or suggestions for editors working on military history articles. While it is not one of the project's formal guidelines, editors are encouraged to consider the advice presented here in the course of their editing work. |
 | This page in a nutshell: Use sections whenever there is a clear change in the content, but don't overuse them |
This lesson will teach the reader about when to use sections. You've probably seen sections, used section edit links, and navigated to sections using the table of contents. Now you'll learn when to use them to maximize their utility to readers and editors alike.
Generally, sections are used to improve readability of the article. They also allow readers to pinpoint the information they want from a table of contents, and they improve editorial control.
Why create sections[edit]
No one likes to read a boring old block of solid text. It is difficult to read, and makes it easy to lose your position in the text. One easy way of fixing this is to use sections in your writing. They should be used when there is a clear break in content from one topic to another. Thus the reader does not become confused from this sudden, unforeseen change.
Creating relevant sections also allows readers to pinpoint the information they want to find (i.e. aftermath of a battle), so they will not have to find the whole thing. For editors, this allows small sections to be edited individually, helping decrease page load times and avoiding edit conflicts.
How do you create sections?[edit]
Sections are created by placing an equal number of equal signs (=) around text. For example, === Example section ===.
Subsections can be created by adding more equal signs (=) around the section header on both sides. For example, ====Example section redux ====.
How are sections to be named?[edit]
There are no set headings that should be used, although in accordance with the Wikipedia:WikiProject Military history/Content guide, which offers some guidance upon structuring a military history article, the following possible section headers are suggested:
Battles, operations, wars, etc.[edit]
A good way to break these articles up into pieces is, in order:
- Introduction/lead
- Background/Prelude
- Battle/Fronts of the war
- Aftermath/Legacy
Units[edit]
- Introduction/lead
- Background/Formation/Structure
- Service history/Military career/Unit history (this can be further broken down into different sections or subsections for different events like WWI service & WWII service, or by dates like 1944, 1945, Post-war)
- Disbandment
- Commanding officers/battle honours
- Equipment operated/bases stationed at
Ships[edit]
- Introduction
- Construction and design
- Operational service
- Fate (e.g. Ship x was scrapped in year y)
Biographies[edit]
- Introduction/lead
- Early life or career
- Military career
- Later life
Example articles[edit]
The following articles are currently rated as A-class or Featured, and offer some idea about how to potentially structure a Military History article (although they should not be considered the only methods):