Not familiar with the topic, so please bear with me if comments don't make sense:
- The intro seems quite boring to me. The first paragraph is just a chronological summary of the list. The second paragraph is fine. I suggest expanding the intro (and maybe removing/shortening the first paragraph). Some questions I had when reading the article might be helpful for the expansion: How are state symbols selected? (Can anybody propose state symbols of arbitrary type?) Is the list of state symbol types fixed or could it be extended (the state beer,...)? What does it mean to be a state symbol? (What is the reason for designating state symbols? Are state animals/plants ... specially protected? Are inhabitants especially proud of their state tree...? Are state symbols used for promoting the state?)
- I structured the lead the same as the Oregon list. You raise great questions, but I think the background for each symbol is different, so it is difficult to define the process. As indicated in the lead, the Washington State Legislature officially designates each symbol, but how they are introduced varies. Unfortunately, the Revised Code of Washington does not state what it means to be a state symbol or how the symbols are used. --Another Believer (Talk) 00:09, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- Maybe you could add a sentence or two saying that there is no fixed procedure how state symbols are chosen. In this context you could give some examples (proposed by individuals or groups of individuals, chosen directly by the state, the state lets individuals or groups of individuals decide,...). How about the "types"? Is there a limited set of types that can be chosen as state symbol? If the law does not mention anything, you could state this in the intro. With Oregon designating a "state hostess" I suppose the range of types is rather broad. Regarding the "meaning", I was not thinking of a meaning as written down in the law. However, I still wonder what the point of designating state symbols is. Is it a way of shaping the image of a state? (I acknowledge it might be difficult to find RS for the latter.) Also, while I can imagine how a state flag and seal are used, I cannot imagine what to do with a state grass. Again, I don't mean a use as laid down in the law; I just wonder where I would see or hear about a "state amphibian, arboretum,..." outside of the official lists.
- This source helps. I expanded the first paragraph of the lead to include a sentence about how and why the symbols are chosen. Let me know if anything else should be expanded. --Another Believer (Talk) 19:37, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- Done. Revised Code of Washington. Linked in the table. --Another Believer (Talk) 00:09, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- Thanks.
- Can you expand on the "four-year effort" of the students at Windsor Elementary School. What exactly did they do?
- Not certain, as the source does not expand. If required, I could do additional research, though I don't think the process of how the symbol came to be is as important as the symbol itself and why it was chosen. --Another Believer (Talk) 00:09, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- OK. I agree that the symbol and the reason for choosing it are more important. I just felt that there was something missing in the "effort" sentence.
- Is there no better picture of an apple on commons? White balance seems a bit off. At first I thought it was a peach.
- As a pop-in, I suggest File:Sundown and cross section 2.jpg. KV5 (Talk • Phils) 23:32, 11 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- Done. --Another Believer (Talk) 00:09, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- Now, that looks like an apple. Thanks.
- In "Washington, My Home" was approved unanimously a State Senator from South Bend introduced", there is probably a full stop missing after "unanimously".
- Done. Now states "was approved unanimously after a State Senator..." --Another Believer (Talk) 00:09, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- Thanks.
- Is there no picture for Bluebunch Wheatgrass?
- There is not, and I am not familiar enough with the image uploading process to add one myself. --Another Believer (Talk) 00:09, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- Did you try uploading one? It is not that hard. If you have a picture, I could help you with putting it on wikipedia if you wish.
- I did not. I am not really familiar with which photos can be uploaded and which ones cannot due to copyright issues. I'm afraid images and licenses are not my strong point. --Another Believer (Talk) 17:43, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- No problem. I thought you already had a suitable picture which just needed to be transferred to wikipedia. I am sure sooner or later somebody will upload a picture.
- What year was Washington, My Home written?
- Done. 1950, as indicated by newly-added source. --Another Believer (Talk) 00:09, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- Thanks.
- Since the list is about state symbols, I'd swap the "type" and "symbol" columns.
- This is the format used by other state symbols lists. If a user wants to find the state bird, it would be much more difficult to do so without the Type column being first. --Another Believer (Talk) 00:09, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- Good point, done.
- I'd remove the first of the navigation templates ("State of Washington") since the cities, regions, etc are not exactly related to this list.
- The symbols page is listed and linked under the "Topics" section of the template. --Another Believer (Talk) 00:09, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- Oh, I see. Done.
bamse (talk) 23:16, 11 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- Thanks for taking the time to offer comments and suggestions. I hope you are pleased with the improvements, and feel free to let me know if you have additional concerns that remain to be addressed. --Another Believer (Talk) 00:09, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- Thanks for addressing most points. Sorry for my ignorance concerning the state symbols in general, but I still think that the lead could be more interesting than saying: "first A became a state symbol, then B, then C,...". I gave some more suggestions above.bamse (talk) 10:12, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- While I am not familiar with image uploading and licenses, I will see what I can do with the lead. --Another Believer (Talk) 17:43, 12 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- The lead is more interesting now, but could be expanded even more ("non-fixed designation procedure",... see above). I'd wait for other reviewers to see if it is really an issue or if it is just me being picky.bamse (talk) 23:31, 13 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
- I will be sure to expand further if I come across a source indicating how symbols are designated in the state. I have no idea if there are different ways a symbol can be proposed, but I imagine a group (students, lobbyists, etc.) bug a politician long enough that he or she actually submits a bill so that the Legislature can (arguably, waste their time to) vote for or against the symbol. However, I am not certain if there are other ways the proposal can be submitted. --Another Believer (Talk) 02:15, 14 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]
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