Wikipedia:WikiProject Cricket/The Nets/When to use sections
 | This page is part of the Cricket WikiProject's online Nets, and contains instructions, recommendations, or suggestions for editors working on cricket 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 page is designed to explain to editors 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. early life of a cricketer), 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 Cricket/Style advice, which offers some guidance upon structuring a cricket article, the following possible section headers are suggested:
Players and umpires, etc. edit
A good way to break these articles up into pieces is, in order:
- Introduction/lead
- Early life
- Career (possibly divided between domestic and international)
- Retirement/Later life/Death/Legacy
Cricket grounds edit
- Introduction/lead
- Background/Construction
- Usage (i.e. significant matches/events hosted)
- Closure/Demolition (if appropriate)
- Records and statistics
Competitions edit
- Introduction
- Background
- Competition summary
- Fixtures and results
- Statistics
Teams (domestic and international) edit
- Introduction/lead
- Background to formation
- History (divided into appropriately named sub-sections if required)
- Current squad/Former players
- Honours
- Records and statistics
Example articles edit
The following articles are currently rated as GA-class or Featured, and offer some idea about how to potentially structure a Cricket article: