 | This is an essay on Wikipedia:Deletion policy. 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. |
 | This page in a nutshell: Editors are encouraged to fully discuss all arguments in AfD discussions. If you bring up a point in the discussion, it is okay if someone else responds to it. |
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Editors are encouraged to fully discuss all sides of the issues surrounding articles considered for deletion. If one editor brings up an argument, another editor should be allowed to respond to it in good faith.
Example:
- Delete Violates WP:BIO, WP:IINFO, WP:N, and WP:V. DeleteItBaby 4:01, 4 April 2004 (UTC)
- Keep Wow, that's a lot of points. I'll address them:
- WP:BIO: meets the standards set here because ...
- WP:IINFO: Does not violate because ...
- WP:N: meets the standards set here because ...
- WP:V: meets the standards set here because ...
- Conclusion: Hope that clears everything up! SirTalksALot 04:15, 4 April 2004 (UTC)
- Response Stop responding to a 6-word argument with 100 words, you're wasting time and efforts. DeleteItBaby 4:01, 4 April 2004 (UTC)
If one editor has a position in an articles for deletion discussion (or any other discussion for that matter), any editor of opposing viewpoint should be allowed to respond to it in good faith. Making an argument to either delete or keep an article, and then dismissing the opportunity for response is not only one-sided but may be considered uncivil and perhaps even disruptive.
Even without the consideration of disruptiveness and uncivility, the purpose of discussions of articles for deletion is to get to the bottom of the idea: should an article be kept or deleted (or any of the other options available through the conclusion of an AfD such as merge). Ridiculing other editors who respond to your arguments does not add to the value of the discussion but instead takes away from it.