User:RobertMfromLI/0101 AnatomyOfAWarningTemplate

Lesson #1: Why to use warning templates
This is a warning I left a user on the Iron Maiden page (minus the warning image). And don't worry, this warning does not count against you: (1) it mentions them, not you, and (2) I have "disabled" the hidden warning template when I un-hid it.

The Warning
 * Welcome to Wikipedia. We welcome and appreciate your contributions, including your edits to Iron Maiden, but we cannot accept original research. Original research also encompasses novel, unpublished syntheses of previously published material. Please be prepared to cite a reliable source for all of your information. Thank you. !-- Template:Uw-nor1 --Please read the note on my talk page at User_talk:RobertMfromLI regarding including this info. Once you have done that, if you have any questions, let me know in that same section. Also, you may wish to consider registering an account so you can communicate with other editors here a bit easier.  R OBERT M FROM LI TALK/CNTRB 18:14, 18 September 2010 (UTC)
 * If this is a shared IP address, and you didn't make the edit, consider creating an account for yourself so you can avoid further irrelevant notices.

Take a good look at it, and you will notice the following things:
 * 1) It starts with a nice welcome.
 * 2) It give them a link to all their contributions (and thanks them for it)
 * 3) It points out the page they made the mistake on (in this case, the Iron Maiden page)
 * 4) It points to the guideline they broke so they can read up on it (in this case, original research)
 * 5) It gives a proper summary of what that rule means
 * 6) It tells them how to fix such problems (in this case, with a proper citation)
 * 7) It points them to the page about reliable sources so they can learn how to properly cite their addition
 * 8) It adds a hidden comment (Template:Uw-nor1) so that the various bots that also fight vandalism, and people using Huggle or Twinkle add new warnings at the correct level (I have un-hidden it above so you can see it)
 * 9) Since they are an anon (not logged in) it suggests they register an account
 * 10) It adds my signature
 * 11) The template also allow me to add a custom message to be included in it. I did... they had previously asked me how to go about adding the info, but re-added it before reading my reply - so I point them to the answer on my talk page: "Please read the note on my talk page atUser_talk:RobertMfromLI regarding including this info. Once you have done that, if you have any questions, let me know in that same section. Also, you may wish to consider registering an account so you can communicate with other editors here a bit easier."
 * 12) The tone is appropriate for the warning level - every single time, without exception
 * 13) And finally, there are no spelling or grammar or punctuation errors.


 * You can also find a whole list of these warning templates here. You can also create your own custom templates in your userspace if you wanted to, as long as they give the relevant information. Also, these templates are part of the standardisation of user warnings project, which is carried out by WikiProject user warnings. You may want to sign up or take part in the discussions since you have a strong view on these templates. Hope this helps.  Set Sail For The Seven Seas   275° 13' 30" NET   18:20, 23 September 2010 (UTC)