Editing Encyclopedia:Offensive material (section)

== How to treat offensive material in articles ==
{{Shortcut|WP:BOWDLERIZE}}
In original Wikipedia content, a vulgarity or obscenity should either appear in its full form or not at all; words should never be [[expurgation|bowdlerized]] by replacing letters with dashes, asterisks, or other symbols. However, when quoting relevant material, rendering a quotation as [[MOS:QUOTE|it appears in the source]] cited overrides this style guideline. Where it is necessary to indicate that an alteration is carried over from a quoted source, "{{sic}}" or "[thus in the original]" or a similar phrase, within single brackets, may be used.

Discussions about whether to include a vulgar or explicit image or verbal expression are often heated. As in all discussions on Wikipedia, it is vital that all parties practice [[WP:CIVIL|civility]] and [[WP:AGF|assume good faith]]. Labeling content with such terms as "pornography" or responses to content with such terms as "censorship" tends to inflame the discussion and should be avoided. Objective terminology is more helpful than subjective terminology.

[[Wikipedia:No disclaimers in articles|Disclaimers should not be used in articles]] that contain potentially or patently offensive material. All Wikipedia articles are covered by the five official disclaimer pages.