Template:Off-topic thread/doc

The purpose of the template is to give a visual hint to readers of talk page discussions to ignore an issue or topic that has been posted to the wrong talk page or other venue. It should usually include some indication what the proper venue actually is.. It is hoped that the existence of this tag will make it easier for the reader to pass over off-topic material and get back to what that particular talk page is actually there for.

Usage
Place the following under the topic heading on a talk page:

To make an additional comment explaining why the issue should be taken elsewhere and/or to sign so that others know who marked the thread as off-topic:

This parameter must be given as 1 or reason if any of its content contains the  character (which is common in signatures).

It is not necessary to include your signature when stating incontrovertible facts, such as that a proposal was rescinded later in the thread, etc., or when it is obvious from the content or context who placed the template. Signing when not necessary is pointless clutter, and defeats the purpose of the template as a simple and easy-to-scan label. include your sig at the end of a 1 comment if the label could be controversial (in which case anyone is free to remove it entirely) or attribution is otherwise actually needed, e.g. because of subjective content in the comment. Any editor may add attribution from page history if they think it is important (or remove it where it seems like a useless distraction).

If a discussion is worth having but should be moved to a better venue (or has already talk-forked into a thread over there, see the template.  If the discussion should be firmly closed, e.g. because it is disruptive at its present location, see, , or  as appropriate.  Templates can be combined, e.g.