Talk:Bernard Levin/GA1

GA Review

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Reviewer: Dr. Blofeld 9:57 am, 6 July 2011 (UTC)

GA review (see here for criteria)

It is reasonably well written.
a (prose): b (MoS for lead, layout, word choice, fiction, and lists):
Lead: "A lowly job in the BBC". Can you state what it actually was?
Done. Tim riley (talk) 12:33, 6 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Can you give dates for when he graduated from the London School of Economics and joined Truth?
Done Tim riley (talk) 12:33, 6 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

What does "with one break of just over a year" mean, a break before joining the job or during the job or what, when?
Redrawn to make clear Tim riley (talk) 12:33, 6 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Is it factually accurate and verifiable?
A. References to sources:

B. Citation of reliable sources where necessary:
I would prefer that you use cite web and cite book parameters in your references, but this isn't compulsory to my knowledge.

Another concern is that a large number of the references are not third-party independent sources, you've relied on a lot of material by Levin himself. Personally I would like to see a great balance of sources and far more third-party reliable sources added to the article. Off course being a journalist then his material is likely more valuable than any, but I do believe it needs a wider range of sources by other people, but not compulsory for this to pass GA although it would be I think for FA.

I entirely agree, but there simply isn't the material available: no published books about Levin and not much online except the ODNB and the obits. Tim riley (talk) 12:33, 6 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

C. No original research:
It is broad in its coverage.
a (major aspects): b (focused):
It follows the neutral point of view policy.
Fair representation without bias:
It is stable.
No edit wars, etc.:
No edit wars.
It is illustrated by images, where possible and appropriate.
a (images are tagged and non-free images have fair use rationales): b (appropriate use with suitable captions):
Some of your image licenses aren't convincing, I'll ask JMilburn for an insight of this, (Checked they are OK but you might consider using Template:Multiple image instead of collages for a better resolution)
I didn't know about this template and will certainly investigate it for future articles—many thanks! Tim riley (talk) 12:33, 6 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]
Overall:
Pass/Fail: Pass

An enjoyable article, quite humorous in places. Seems to summarize the main aspects of his career and life well. Appears to clearly be of GA quality, although I believe it needs a higher percentage of third-party sources not by Levin himself to be completely satisfactory. On hold until the minor issues are addressed.♦ Dr. Blofeld 10:30, 6 July 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Given that minor issues and images have been addressed and having looked into sourcing for this biography myself and finding very little third party independent sources related to his biography aside from the Oxford source I think this is sufficient enough to pass this. However, I would think twice about nominating this for an FA because I believe it would fail due to the balance of sources used, even if you've clearly done your best here to research this and have written an article which gives an adequate coverage.♦ Dr. Blofeld