Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion/Wikipedia:Embrace weasel words


 * The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the miscellany page below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the page's talk page or in a deletion review).  No further edits should be made to this page.  

The result of the debate was Keep. I'd personally suggest userfication, but support in the MfD is too strong to insist on such a measure. As its advocates suggest, the essay is not directly opposed to our guideline, but is a clarification of possible exceptions thereto. Xoloz 16:33, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Embrace weasel words
While Wikipedia humor has its place, if Wikipedia is to ever be taken seriously then the project needs to move as far away as possible from the concepts like, "Embrace weasel words". This type of thinking is best suited to the ilk of tabloids and other media that have no qualms about writing in ways that are questionable ethically. While the spirit of this essay might be not be morally questionable, when there exists Avoid weasel words guidelines, why arm those with questionable morals with this? This essay is very counter to Verifiability as well as Neutral point of view because it encourages the usage of weasel words which by the definition of "weasel word" allows for, "avoiding forming a clear position on a particular issue". Wikipedia's policy on forming a position is unmistakable, "All Wikipedia articles must be written from a neutral point of view, representing views fairly and without bias." (→ Netscott ) 09:16, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Delete as nominator. (→ Netscott ) 09:10, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Keep Bad, better, best are clear. --Michael C. Price talk 09:27, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Keep or Merge. The article does make a good point about weasel words being appropriate if backed up with a citation, particularly if identifying the "some people" involved adds unnecessary complexity to what should be a brief subject. Either this article could be trimmed down to highlight this point, or this point could be incorporated as one of the exceptions in the Avoid weasel words article. Andrew Oakley 09:32, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Strong Keep (as creator of page). While light-hearted in tone, the page is not actually humor, but is a sincere attempt to explain my opinions about how carefully-used, properly-cited weasel words may improve an article.  Several users have commented on the essay and found it enlightening.  The essay clearly identifies itself as merely the opinions of some editors, and it clearly links to Avoid weasel words. Cooincidentally, this was nominated for deletion immediately after I disagreed with User:Netscott at an RFC . --Alecmconroy 10:04, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * It is true that this was nominated after a disagreement. In the process of familiarizing myself with who was (after our disagreement) I discovered this essay and realized the need for its deletion (particularly as it was only created in July). Our disagreement has to do with original research and funny enough this essay lends itself to those in support of original research. (→ Netscott ) 10:12, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Yes, I'm inclined to agree that it was purely coincidental, in light of the fact the copyright concerns were legitimate, and having looked over what a goood contributor to wikipedia you've been. I got a talk page full of deletion and copyright concerns five seconds after I had an RFC disagreement, so it seemed just a might fishy for a moment, but in the light of day, all good fun, no foul.  :) --Alecmconroy 11:09, 16 August 2006 (UTC)


 * Strong keep I have no objections to this page existing as an essay. It is a learning page, based in the "Don't bite the newcomer" mentality. In terms of essays it describes the issues well, weasel words are Never portrayed as the "Best" alternative, merely putting them forward as stepping stones from the most biased wordings, on the way to the ultimately best and most neutral/objective wording. If there could ever exist a two step guide and explanation of what NPOV really means, this would be it in my mind. Ans e ll  12:04, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Keep Some would argue that this essay is helpful. -- User:Malber (talk • contribs) 13:25, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Delete It could be argued by some that this essay is not encyclopedic, nor a valuable aid to editors (as it directly contradicts and derogates Wikipedia's 'avoid weasel words' axiom. Pull the lever. -- User:RyanFreisling @ 14:20, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Obivous keep, why even nominate? It's a silly essay, and essays have Zero Value or Authority on Wikipedia (despite what some think). Might was well get rid of WP:BEANS or the stupid Reichstag thing if we're going to nuke this. rootology (T) 15:17, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Keep though it might benefit from some clarification about when is best to apply these ideas. Cheers,  Tewfik Talk 16:22, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Delete. This is bad advice, and in my opinion, we shouldn't keep essays that give bad advice. --Improv 18:04, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Userfy or delete; widespread humor pages might have a place in project space, but something this is probably better off without the ambiguity of authority. I'm beginning to think most essays should be on user subpages, and only the popular/long-standing ones moved to Wikipedia: space. -- nae'blis 19:59, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Keep, maybe with humor notice or a rename (like WHEN to embrace weasel words); similar in concept to Wikipedia:Assume Bad Faith. It's an essay, a little opinion is okay.  Makes clear several instances where weasel words are bad; the essay appears to outline a concept of gradual improvement, something good for Wikipedia.  Everyone has to build up their editing talen, after all.  Karwynn (talk) 20:42, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Delete Not an encyclopedia article.--MONGO 21:33, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * This is not AfD... hence you should probably have a better reason for deleting. Ans e ll  12:13, 17 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Delete. Insufficient use of weasel words. --Carnildo 21:36, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Weak keep Makes some valid points, but its main examples are in my opinion wrong and should at minimum be rewritten. That's a matter for the talk page though.  Phr (talk) 23:56, 16 August 2006 (UTC)
 * We're on the same side here, but still, aren't essays supposed to be just opinion? I mean, saying in essay is wrong seems like an unorthodox reason for deleting it.  Karwynn (talk) 13:53, 17 August 2006 (UTC)
 * I think essays should be interesting and have some community support, to be kept in project space. See this MfD as an example about a weaker essay that got relegated to user space.  I see the retention of an essay in project space as a community recommendation, and I think a "keep" vote for a project-space essay should only be given if one is willing to endorse the essay as being "worth reading" (as opposed to "correct"--an essay can be totally wrong and still be worth reading, but that's fairly rare).  An essay that wastes the reader's time belaboring points that are obviously correct should also not be kept in project space.  Phr (talk) 06:38, 19 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Keep; I personally agree with almost everything in the essay. This approach to weasel words would probably work better with summary style, though, since finer levels of detail could be placed in subarticles, with the weasel words in the main article. The essay also makes the important point that one must be able to back up weasel words with sources. Johnleemk | Talk 13:19, 17 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Keep as an essay, I don't believe that it matters if I agree with what is being said. This tag makes that clear: "This is an essay expressing the opinions and ideas of some Wikipedians.  While it can help explain and understand existing Wikipedia policies and guidelines, this is not an actual policy or guideline. - Jc37 21:41, 17 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Keep or merge as per it makes sense. S  oa  P  22:25, 17 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Keep Some supporters argue this essay is a well thought out dissenting view. ;-) Big E 1977  16:58, 20 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Keep - Humourous, I will tag it in a moment. Iola k ana • T  18:10, 20 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Keep - Humourous, but not solely written for humor's sake. Many believe that the "Bad, Good, Better" examples are very clear and helpful for all.  However, some experts disagree.--Ryan! 03:00, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Strong delete nonsense, original research. Better place could be Uncyclopedia. --HResearcher 05:20, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the page's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.