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User:Kelly Marie 0812/Template:Infobox soap character/doc

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Adapted from the generic {{Infobox character}}, this infobox has been designed specifically to address the particular needs of fictional characters from soap operas. The template supports all appropriate parameters of the generic template, so that simply replacing {{Infobox character}} with {{Infobox soap character}} will preserve all information but add functionality.

The infobox includes a collapsible Relationships section, with expanded parameters that only appear if used. The use of the collapsible Relationships portion of the infobox is intended to eliminate the need for bottom-of-the-article relationship lists. These lists have repeatedly been identified as unencyclopedic and detrimental to an article's quality and status by WP 1.0 standards. The collapsing feature allows for the preservation of notable relationship data in an accessible manner while conserving space and not negatively impacting the article.

The template also features the ability to present the Series name in a colored bar below the main image, hidden bars when fields below are empty, standardized image sizing and additional image parameters (for alternate performers in the same role only).

Usage

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All parameters are optional, and will not display if empty. The "name" parameter will also default to PAGENAME if the parameter is not used; this is usually preferable to keep infobox heading concise, considering that full names (with multiple married names) are always noted at the beginning of each article. 

{{Infobox soap character
| name             = 
| series           = 
| portrayer        = 
| years            = 
| first            = 
| last             = 
| creator          = <!-- Only sourced content -->
| introducer       = <!-- Executive producer at the time -->
| books            = 
| spinoffs         = 
| classification   =
| image1           = <!-- File:FILENAME.jpg  (No linking required) -->
| caption1         = 
| image2           = <!-- For alternate performer only -->
| caption2         = 
| image3           = <!-- For alternate performer only -->
| caption3         =
| alias            = 
| species          = <!-- For non-humans only -->
| occupation       =   
| residence        = 
| family           = 
| parents          = 
| adoptiveparents  = 
| stepparents      = 
| siblings         = 
| spouse           = 
| children         = 
| adoptivechildren = 
| stepchildren     = 
| grandchildren    = 
| grandparents     = 
| aunts/uncles     = 
| nieces/nephews   = 
| cousins          =  <!-- First cousins only -->
}}

Relationship parameters

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The Relationships section of this infobox is collapsed by default to conserve space, and is a direct replacement for any and all other relationship lists within an article. These lists have repeatedly been identified as unencyclopedic and detrimental to an article's quality and status by WP 1.0 standards.

Inclusion and notability

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  • Relations need only be noted if the relationship holds some notable significance for the character in question.
  • Character age is no longer used after formed consensus at WikiProject Television. This includes the previously used fields "age", "born" and "died". The age of fictional characters is fluid and any relevant age information can be described in the article.

Qualifiers and detail

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  • Descriptions and qualifiers within parameter content are largely unnecessary because of the category names displayed in the infobox; for example, noting "father" or "sister" beside a listed name is discouraged because this information is made obvious by the categories "Parents" or "Siblings" and only clutters the box.
  • When listing children, grandchildren, etc., it is unnecessary to note the parents, etc. that may establish the connection, as in: Junior Jones (son, via Mama Mia).
  • Only include clarifications essential to understanding the information.
  • In summary, the infobox is intended as a collection of basic information and a navigational tool, not an abbreviated article. Filling it with endless trivial data defeats this purpose.

Formatting

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  • After formed consensus, all soap infoboxes will use the same color for consistency.
  • Small text is no longer used in infoboxes, primarily for easier reading by those with eyesight problems.

Parameter descriptions

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Parameter Explanation
name Character name for display in header bar; defaults to PAGENAME, which may be preferred to keep header a reasonable size.
series Applicable series name for display in bar under main image and caption. Do not use a link ( [[ ]] ); name is automatically linked and italicized.
portrayer Performer name(s), in chronological order with years (not full dates) noted. Closed dates should be separated by an en dash –. Open dates (for actors currently appearing in the show) should end with an em dash —. If from the same century, the second year should use only the last two digits (1996–98). Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
years Years the character, not the actor, has appeared (not full dates), i.e. "1996–99, 2001". Closed dates should be separated by an en dash –. Open dates (for characters still in the show) should end with an em dash —. If from the same century, the second year should use only the last two digits (1996–98)
first Day, month, and year of character's first appearance.
last Day, month, and year of character's last appearance.
creator Name of the writer who introduced the character. Only included sourced content; this is not necessarily the head writer at the time of introduction.
introducer Executive Producer that introduced the character. If the character was reintroduced by a different executive producer, more than one name can be listed, with the year they were (re)introduced.
books Novels that the character has appeared in (if any).
spinoffs Spin-off series that the character has appeared in (if any).
classification Can be past, present or future; regular, recurring or guest.
image1 Primary image to illustrate the character; preferably current or most notable portrayer. Do not use a link ( [[ ]] ); image is automatically linked and resized to a standardized 240px. The "File:" designation is required.
caption1 A caption explaining the image, including link to performer.
image2 Additional character image to illustrate an alternate performer in the role; displays at bottom of main box, before collapsible Relationship section. Do not use a link ( [[ ]] ); image is automatically linked and resized to a standardized 210px.
caption2 A caption explaining the secondary image, including link to performer.
image3 Additional character image to illustrate an alternate performer in the role; displays at bottom of main box, before collapsible Relationship section. Do not use a link ( [[ ]] ); image is automatically linked and resized to a standardized 210px.
caption3 A caption explaining the tertiary image, including link to performer.
alias Any aliases used by the character.
species To denote a character's non-human species, if applicable. To conserve space, this parameter should only be used for non-humans, which will be extremely rare.
occupation Character's most notable profession(s). The words "current" and "former" are not used, as works of fiction exist in a kind of perpetual present tense. Instead, durations can be used to clarify, if necessary.
residence Location where the character lives. If a character is dead, this should be left blank.
family If there is a Wikipedia article for the main family the character belongs to, add it here.
parents Names of the character's biological parents. Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
adoptiveparents Names of the character's adoptive parents. Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
stepparents Names of the character's stepparents. Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
siblings Name(s) of the character's sibling(s). Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
spouse Name(s) of the character's spouse(s). Relations by marriage need only be noted if the relationship holds some notable significance for the characters in question. Durations are listed, any other qualifiers are assumed. Multiple marriages are listed once with additional years in the duration. Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
children Name(s) of the character's biological child(ren). It is unnecessary to note the parents, etc. that may establish the connection, as in: Junior Jones (son, via Mama Mia). Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
adoptivechildren Names of the character's adopted children. Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
stepchildren Names of the character's stepchildren. Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
grandchildren Name(s) of the character's grandchild(ren). Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
grandparents Names of the character's grandparents. Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
aunts/uncles Names of the character's aunts and uncles. Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
nieces/nephews Names of the character's nieces and nephews. Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
cousins Names of the character's first cousins. Separate multiple people with line breaks ( <br/> ).
Holdover parameters from {{Infobox character}}: These parameters are supported to prevent data loss when implementing this infobox, but should be replaced by the appropriate new parameters
Old Parameter Explanation
image The old image parameter requires a link ([[ ]] ) and allows for divergent sizing; should be moved to new parameter image1, without link.
caption Caption related to old image parameter; should be moved to new parameter caption1.
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