This is a summary and comparison of the standards for good articles and featured articles.
A good article is a satisfactory article that has the following attributes:
- 1. Well written. Prose and layout are clear, and comply with certain aspects of the manual of style; in particular, the lead is a concise summary of the article.
- 2. Accurate and verifiable. Sources are provided, and cited where necessary.
- 3. Broad. It covers the main aspects of the topic without going into unnecessary detail.
- 4. Neutral. It represents viewpoints fairly and without bias.
- 5. Stable. It does not change significantly from day-to-day.
- 6. Images. It is illustrated, if possible and relevant, by images with acceptable copyright status and fair use rationales where necessary.
A featured article exemplifies our very best work and has the following attributes:
- 1. High and reliable quality. It has: (a) engaging prose of a professional standard; (b) comprehensive coverage of major facts, details and context; (c) factual accuracy, with citations for verification against reliable sources; (d) neutral presentation of viewpoints; (e) stable content.
- 2. Detailed style standards. It complies with the entire manual of style and has: (a) a concise summarizing lead; (b) a substantial table of contents; (c) consistently formatted inline citations.
- 3. Images. It has images in accordance with image use policies; in particular, they have acceptable copyright status and fair use rationales where necessary.
- 4. Length. It stays focused on the main topic without going into unnecessary detail.
[edit] Similarities
- The neutrality requirements are identical.
- Both require articles to stay focused on the main topic without going into unnecessary detail.
- Both require stability, factual accuracy and verifiability, and acceptable copyright status for images.
- Neither has absolute length requirements, although featured articles tend to be long and one of the original purposes of the GA process was to recognize good quality short articles.
[edit] Differences
- Featured articles must be our very best work; good articles are merely satisfactory.
- A good article must be reasonably well written; a featured article must have a professional standard of writing that is engaging, even brilliant.
- A good article must comply with only six style guidelines; featured articles must comply with all style standards.
- A featured article must be comprehensive; a good article must be broad. The "comprehensive" standard requires that no major fact or detail is omitted; the "broad" standard merely requires coverage of the main points.
- Featured articles are usually subject to greater scrutiny in regard to factual accuracy and verifiability. In particular, the inline citation requirements are stricter.
- Good articles are generally not required to be as well-illustrated. In particular, the absence of images is not a failing criterion.
