Template:Did you know nominations/Jessica Smith (speed skater)

Jessica Smith (speed skater)

 * ... that short track speed skater Jessica Smith qualified for the 2014 Olympics despite not training with the national team?
 * Reviewed: Template:Did you know nominations/Ståle Sandbech
 * Comment: It would be nice to get this posted before the end of the Olympics, if possible. Smith will skate Feb 15, 18, & 21.

5x expanded by ThaddeusB (talk). Self nominated at 03:46, 11 February 2014 (UTC).


 * Symbol question.svg 5x expansion verified. New enough, long enough, well-referenced, no close paraphrasing seen. QPQ done. There are 2 issues with the article, however: 1) The whole section under Skating Career reads like a newspaper story, not an encyclopedia article. Quite a few statements are immediately followed by quotes from Smith, the way journalists write. The quotes should be paraphrased or removed; you might want to put one of the juicier quotes into a quote box. 2) The hook is rather dull. You've got far more interesting information to choose from in the article. Can you suggest another hook? Thanks, Yoninah (talk) 21:33, 12 February 2014 (UTC)
 * I like to use quote in biographies to let the subject "speak for themselves" so to speak on important points. I am aware others prefer other styles, but have never had it be a problem for DYK before...  It's good to not use too many quotes, but it is also good to include some - it is a matter of style and judgement where the line lies.  I would think a style preference shouldn't be a DYK disqualifier - this is not WP:FAR.  That said, I will take another look and see if any look superfluous in retrospect.
 * Not training with the national team is actually exceptionally rare for an Olympian. The lack of top coaches/facilities and the of financial support make it quite difficult.  But, that may not be clear to many...
 * ALT1: ... that before she became a 2014 Olympian speed skater, Jessica Smith won more than 30 gold medals as an inline skater?
 * or feel free to suggest anything else you find interesting. --ThaddeusB (talk) 01:28, 13 February 2014 (UTC)
 * Symbol redirect vote 4.svg I cut a few of the less meaningful quotes.  The article was indeed a bit heavy on quotes, so good suggestion.  Incidentally, quote boxes should only be used to repeat quotes from the body of the article according to guidelines.  (Not sure if you were suggesting repeating or moving a juicy quote - the article should have some pictures to create visual interest soon, though.) --ThaddeusB (talk) 01:41, 13 February 2014 (UTC)
 * Symbol confirmed.svg OK, thanks for trimming the quotes a bit. Both hooks are verified and cited inline. I added her current specialty to ALT1. I'll leave it to the administrator to choose the hook. Good to go. Yoninah (talk) 09:42, 13 February 2014 (UTC)
 * Moving to the Olympics holding area. Yoninah (talk) 09:42, 13 February 2014 (UTC)