Wikipedia:List of policies and guidelines to cite in deletion debates

This is a list of existing policies that can be used either to support a deletion proposal (prod) or nomination, or in an attempt to prevent deletion in an existing proposal.

This is not a place to create new policies, or to amend existing ones. Edits to this list are limited to adding those not previously listed, removing those that have been revoked, updating those that have been amended, or modifying the language, style, or other details in the manner in which this has been written.

Favoring deletion
The following is a list of policies and guidelines that can be used for making one's case in proposing a page for deletion. Please note that:
 * 1) Prod and WP:AfD are only suitable if an entire page has one of these issues and cannot likely be improved. If only part of a page has such an issue, and the remainder does not, only that section should be tagged and/or removed.
 * 2) Criteria for speedy deletion are not listed here; they are listed on that page.
 * 3) Before proposing a page for deletion, see WP:BEFORE for alternatives.
 * 4) For reasons to delete a category, see Overcategorization.
 * 5) For reasons to delete an image or file, see Files for discussion.
 * 6) For reasons to delete a redirect, see WP:R.
 * 7) For reasons to delete a template, see Templates for discussion

Favoring keeping or merging
The following are a list of inclusion guidelines that may be useful to help in keeping an article:
 * 1) Most of the guidelines listed describe reasons why a subject is worthy of inclusion. While failure to meet one of these guidelines can be used to support a deletion case, this can be negated if the subject meets the inclusion guidelines under another.
 * 2) A deletion case may also be negated by arguing that the policy/guideline cited in favor of deletion is incorrect or not applicable given the circumstances, providing sources (when the article lacks them), or by making other changes to the article to address the issue.
 * 3) See Arguments to make in deletion discussions for more possible arguments to make your case.

Useful essays (and parts of essays)
The following are a list of essays that pertain to inclusion and exclusion. While these are not policies or guidelines, citing them in a deletion debate may at times help in arguing one's case. When citing an essay, it is important to keep in mind that essays can be written by a single editor, can be edited just like an article, and does not require any further consensus. Therefore, if one is used to support deletion or to keep an article proposed for deletion, a good explanation should be given as to why one believes it supports their case.

Non-articles
The guidelines in favor of keeping or deleting non-articles vary:

Categories
Note: The shortcut for all of these is WP:CFDS.

Favoring keeping
Note: The shortcut for all of these is WP:RFD.

Favoring deletion
Note: The shortcut for all of these is WP:RFD.