Editing Encyclopedia:Article titles (section)

==Neutrality in article titles==
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{{See also|Wikipedia:Neutral point of view#Naming}}
Conflicts often arise over whether an article title complies with Wikipedia's Neutral Point of View policy. Resolving such debates depends on whether the article title is a ''name'' derived from reliable sources or a ''descriptive title'' created by Wikipedia editors.

===Non-neutral but common names===
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When the subject of an article is referred to mainly by a single common name, as evidenced through usage in a significant majority of English-language sources, Wikipedia generally follows the sources and uses that name as its article title (subject to the other naming criteria). Sometimes that common name includes non-neutral words that Wikipedia normally avoids (e.g. [[Alexander the Great]], or the [[Teapot Dome scandal]]). In such cases, the prevalence of the name, or the fact that a given description has effectively become a proper name (and that proper name has become the common name), generally overrides concern that Wikipedia might appear as endorsing one side of an issue. An article title with non-neutral terms cannot simply be ''a'' name commonly used in the past; it must be ''the'' common name in current use.

Notable circumstances under which Wikipedia often avoids a common name for lacking neutrality include the following:
# Trendy slogans and monikers that seem unlikely to be remembered or connected with a particular issue years later
# Colloquialisms where far more encyclopedic alternatives are obvious
Article titles and redirects should anticipate what readers ''will type as a first guess'' and balance that with what readers ''expect to be taken to''. Thus, typing "[[Octomom]]" properly redirects to [[Nadya Suleman]], which is in keeping with point 2, above. Typing "[[Antennagate]]" redirects the reader to a particular section of [[iPhone 4]], which is in keeping with points 1 and 2, above. Typing "[[Great Leap Forward]]" does not redirect, which is in keeping with the general principle.

{{See also|Wikipedia:Redirect#Neutrality of redirects}}

===Non-judgmental descriptive titles===
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In some cases a descriptive phrase (such as [[Restoration of the Everglades]]) is best as the title. These are often invented specifically for articles, and should reflect a [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|neutral point of view]], rather than suggesting any editor's opinions. Avoid [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Words to watch|judgmental and non-neutral words]]; for example, ''allegation'' or ''alleged'' can either imply wrongdoing, or in a non-criminal context may imply a claim "made with little or no proof" and so should be avoided in a descriptive title. (Exception: articles where the topic is an actual accusation of illegality under law, discussed as such by reliable sources even if not yet proven in a court of law. These are appropriately described as "allegations".)

However, [[#Non-neutral but common names|non-neutral but common names]] (see preceding subsection) may be used ''within'' a descriptive title. Even descriptive titles should be based on sources, and may therefore incorporate names and terms that are commonly used by sources. (Example: Because "Boston Massacre" is an acceptable title on its own, the descriptive title "Political impact of the Boston Massacre" would also be acceptable.)