User:Ultraexactzz/Sorting Deletion Debates

There are two methods in use for sorting deletion debates at Articles for Deletion. One, WikiProject Deletion sorting, transcludes deletion debates into narrow, topic-specific pages. Sorting in this manner involves an editor placing a template in the debate, and adding the page to the appropriate topic list. A second process, AfD categories, uses a template to add debates to broad functional categories. Though anyone may sort in this way by changing the template, the vast majority of debates are categorized by the nominator. The processes are complimentary, in that one does not supercede the other. This essay deals with sorting debates using AfD categories.

The Categories
Debates are added to categories by placing the following template immediately under the heading on the debate's page.

...Where "?" is the category code. The code used depends on the topic of the article being nominated, and refers to one of the following categories:

Any input other than one of these single-letter codes (or ?) will place the debate into the unsorted category. Note also that multiple categories cannot be added without also adding multiple copies of the template. So, in order to sort a debate for an article on a former NFL quarterback, which should be B - Biographical, but could also fit G - Sports, one would add these templates:

This adds the debate to both categories, as well as the AFD Debates category. Adding "BG" to the same template would place the debate under "Unsorted".

Where does my debate go?
Occasionally, you may nominate an article which does not fit one of these broad categories. In most cases, you should sort the debate based on the content of the article, not on its title.

Some unusual (or not so unusual) fictional examples are listed below. Linking an article as an example of the sort of topic that a deletion debate might deal with doesn't indicate any desire for the example article to be deleted.

A Note on Neutrality
Nominating an article for deletion can be stressful for the article's author, especially if they are unclear as to the policies that the article doesn't meet. When categorizing articles, take care to assess them from a neutral perspective, taking an objective look at the category that would best describe the topic as it is presented in the article. For example, an article about Global Warming describes a scientific theory, so it would likely go under T - Science and Technology. An article dealing with political or social aspects of global warming would probably fit S - Society as well. Sorting such an article as F - Fiction, however, would be editorializing on the subject, and would likely inflame debate. If the article takes the subject seriously, then the category should reflect this.