Wikipedia:WikiProject Biography/Peer review/W. S. Gilbert/Archive1

W. S. Gilbert

This article lacks structure. How can it best be added? Are the quotes relevant, and is the selection of plays for discussion adequate. Are we skimping too much on his life as opposed to his works? Thoughts? Adam Cuerden ^talk 05:05, 15 September 2006 (UTC)

Yannismarou

I haven't written a biography for a writer, but that is what I can think:

• It is always difficult to combine in a writer's biography the sheer biographic elements with his works and career. FOr ideas, you can check a GA or a FA about writers. FA are not many; I donot know if J. R. R. Tolkien could be useful.
• More details about his life are definitely needed. Do not be afraid of them. You can even expand the existing sub-sections. In the section "Life and Career", it is inevitable to mention his works (at least, his most important). But it would be nice to create a seperate section with more details about his writings - in this section the empasis will be on his work not his life: assessments. characteristics of his work, how his work influenced the future generations (this could be a seperate sub-section).
• I like quotes, but I prefer not to interrupt the flow of the prose with them.

• In section "Gilbert as Director" quotes are more than the prose. This is not a nice thing. You can use various techniques to introduce quotes. Just check President Ford, Pericles or Demosthenes.
• I'm not sure about the quote of Donizetti's The Daughter of the Regiment. It is long and seems to me not directly connected with Gilbert. Do you feel it is necessary? If yes, can you make clear why?
• Jessie Bond's quote is also general and not about GIlbert. It depicts the whole era and not specifically Gilbert's work. And in the place it is, before any prose, it is difficult for the ignorant reader (like me) to understand its purpose. Can you incorporate it in the prose using it a source? Are can you place it, if you prefer it as it is, after some explanative prose?

• We donot link external links like that Jessie Bond[1], but like that Jessie Bond and better in an inline citation (which by the way you need).
• I'm not sure the kind of list you've chosen for Gilbert's biography is recommended. Check again J. R. R. Tolkien.
• References seem relevant, but I cannot be sure if I donot seem them in the form of inline citations.--Yannismarou 09:02, 16 September 2006 (UTC)

Sorry to take so long to reply - I missed this in my list of updates.

Gilbert as Director: The quotes are rather similar in content, aren't they? Could probably do with just one.

Yes, or expand the content, or incorporate the prose in the contents. There are several ideas you can work.--Yannismarou 08:15, 17 September 2006 (UTC)

Donizetti quote: Not actually from Donizetti, but from Gilbert's parody of Donizetti. Gilbert's very early works include quite a number of parodies of operas. Possibly better used in a sub-article dealing with Gilbert's early works in detail?

Sorry I misunderstood. My only concern is that it is long. But, I cannot be definite. Maybe you'll have a different opinion from another user. Sub-articles are always recommended for long articles. So, if it is getting too long, it is a good idea.

List of works: Will do what I can to improve it. I've started trying something at List of theatrical works by W. S. Gilbert, but it's not very useful yet.

But it is a very good basis for your work.--Yannismarou 08:15, 17 September 2006 (UTC)

As for inline citations, I don't have all the sources being used, but I'll try to do what I can, even if it means adding further sources. Adam Cuerden ^talk 03:35, 17 September 2006 (UTC)

It is not a bad thing to add new sources. And if you can't use some of the current sources, you can transfer them to a new section under the title "Further Reading".--Yannismarou 08:15, 17 September 2006 (UTC)

Expanded opening section, cut down some of the quotes, and began revisions. Still a little work-heavy. Adam Cuerden ^talk 11:12, 22 September 2006 (UTC)