Wikipedia:The problem with stylization notes in entertainment
 | This is an essay on stylization notes, the practice of disclosing how something, specifically in entertainment, is stylized as in parentheses. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
What is a stylization note?[edit]
A stylization note is when you disclose how the title of something, like an album or a song, is stylized. For example:
- Eternal Sunshine (stylized in all lowercase) is the seventh studio album by the American singer Ariana Grande.
- Igor (stylized in all caps) is the fifth album by the American rapper-singer Tyler, the Creator.
Why are they unnecessary?[edit]
If we look at Wikipedia's Manual of Style (MOS), specifically the section about indicating stylizations (MOS:TMSTYLE), it only allows for the additional of a stylization note if it is a trademark. Are albums or songs a trademark?
But this section does not mention going against disclosing this in entertainment?[edit]
It might not explicity state it, but a conversation on the Manual of Style's talk page between two users reveals more information. (See the full conversation here)
After the user Paper9oll asked if using these notes in entertainment would be considered as breaking MOS, another user, SMcCandllish replied that it would be. It is not about trademark registration, but rather marketing intent.
Why shouldn't we add this note to entertainment articles?[edit]
A stylization note is usually added in order to ensure that a reader is on the right page. If someone was searching for the album Call Me If You Get Lost, they would know they are on the right page by the first sentence. ("Call Me If You Get Lost" is the sixth studio album by...) Is stylization needed in this case? No.
Alongside this, it clutters up space, and is trivial. Is it worth disrupting the first sentence in an article in order to disclose how it is stylized? Someone might argue that we should have this note because it is how the artist chose to stylize it. We do not use primary sources on Wikipedia, and most secondary sources will not title an album or song name in all caps. Take these articles, which review albums or songs, for example:
You will notice that although on streaming services, these titles may be stylized in lower or upper case, many sources will not account for this stylization, and title it as normal.