Wiki:Page Structure/Elements

The introductory section of the page should include the name of the element in bold, the type of element it is (specifically the parent category, such as Logic Puzzle for Masyu or Decryption for Alphanumeric Substitution Cipher), and basic information about the element, including the following:


 * A brief overview of how the element functions at a base level.
 * Some cultural information about the element (if applicable), such as popularity outside of hunts.
 * Any "Not to be confused with..." notes.

This section should also include a lead-in sentence to any Subpage sections, if applicable.

Subpages (Name can be changed based on category)
'''NOTE: This section is only applicable to upper-level pages. For variations on individual elements rather than categories, use Puzzle Applications.'''

This section may be repeated if multiple subcategories are being created, like in Word Puzzle.

Subpage sections should list all pages that are direct children to the page they are being written for. The preferred format is a bulleted list with links to the subpages and one-or-two-sentence blurbs about the element. A subpage section may also include a short description before the list, to further explain the categorization.


 * Element - This is a blurb.
 * Element - This is a blurb.
 * Element - This is a blurb

Background
NOTE: This section is optional.

Any historical background for a particular element, especially Content Elements, goes here. Do not worry if an element does not have significant historical precedents, as many will not, but those that do deserve recognition.

Information about an element's use outside of puzzling as a whole is also welcome, particularly for extraction elements that have a non-puzzle origin.

Puzzle Applications
NOTE: This section is likely not applicable to upper-level element pages.

An in-depth description of how an element has been applied in different ways within actual puzzles, including notable variations. If a variation merits its own page, a brief description of it will suffice for this page, along with a link to its own page. If not, a subsection within the Puzzle Applications heading is appropriate.

Images that help illustrate how a puzzle functions, particularly those with captions, are also recommended, particularly with regard to puzzle type.

Strategy
When applicable, it can be useful to provide strategies for solving a particular puzzle type, or deal with a particular puzzle element. Strategy for most elements can be divided into one of two subheadings. While the exact text presented on a page can be changed to fit the flow of the article, or specify the action being taken to approach an element (such as "Translation" for a cipher, or "Solving" for a puzzle type), the default is as follows:

Identification
Tips on how to identify the use of an element should go here. This includes keywords that hint the element, and puzzle qualities that lend themselves well to the use of particular elements (such as equal-length answers for Diagonalization)

Solving
Tips on how to actually approach an element or puzzle type should go here. At minimum, these should include any general tips that apply to the element (such as focusing on "gimme" clues in any clue-based puzzle type). At best, it should include specific strategies that will help with most non-twist versions of a particular element. Additionally, avoid giving tips for niche variants or known twists from specific puzzles, as this can act as both a spoiler, and is likely to not be applicable in many situations.

Lastly, don't be afraid to add links to more in-depth strategy guides or solving resources if including all of their information would bloat the section.

Notable Examples
This section should include links to specific puzzle pages that utilize this element in a way that is considered "notable". While there is no set criteria for notability in these cases, a general guideline is that if the element is relatively unique already, any use is notable, and if an element is more commonplace (like Dropquote), a mix of puzzles that play it straight and puzzles that put a twist on it are preferred, so a reader can compare and contrast the examples.


 * Puzzle Name - Explanation of how the element is used.
 * Puzzle Name - Explanation of how the element is used.
 * Puzzle Name - Explanation of how the element is used.

Sidebar
All element pages should have a sidebar added to it, assuming one for its category is available. Currently, all sidebars are collected here, and can be updated to accommodate new elements that fit within their structure. Select the one that either contains the element you're writing for, or will contain it once the sidebar has been updated.

No additional information needs to be added to the template once it has been added to the element page; any updates need to be made on the sidebar's template page.

Categories
This section header should be deleted. This is only a note about adding categories to an element page.

Element pages belong to the following categories:


 * Elements
 * The category linked to in the page's sidebar
 * Any categories named for their parent pages (such as the top level three categories of Structure, Content, and Flavor elements)