User:Mz7/List of RfC formats

Requests for comment (RfCs) are an important process through which the Wikipedia community hold centralized discussions that can change policies, guidelines, and processes. RfC can be structured in a number of different ways, and this list attempts to collect a few of the most common RfC formats, weighing the pros and cons of each.

RfC formats

Unstructured discussion

This form of discussion is the simplest. The initiator of the RfC poses a neutral question that the discussion will aim to answer in bulleted responses below.

Sample

Should a new criterion for speedy deletion "G13" be created to allow administrators to delete drafts that have not been edited in six months? Example (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)

Support - this is my argument for why the policy should be changed. Example (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)

Oppose No, this is a bad idea and here is argument for why. Example2 (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)

Support Seems like a good idea to me! Example3 (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)

Pros and cons

Examples

Straw poll

This format separates comments supporting and opposing a proposal into separate sections, sometimes numbering them as well.

Sample

Should a new criterion for speedy deletion "G13" be created to allow administrators to delete drafts that have not been edited in six months? Example (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)

Support

Support - this is my argument for why the policy should be changed. Example (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)

Support Seems like a good idea to me! Example3 (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)

Oppose

Oppose No, this is a bad idea and here is argument for why. Example2 (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)

Pros and cons

Examples

Sectioned statements

This format allows anyone to submit "statements" in response to a question. Sometimes, other editors can endorse (and sometimes also reject) other editors' statements. Sometimes, editors must submit a new statement if they agree or disagree, and no editor may modify another editor's section.

Sample

Should a new criterion for speedy deletion "G13" be created to allow administrators to delete drafts that have not been edited in six months? Example (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)

Statement by Example

Yes, we should have a new G13 criterion. This is my argument for why the policy should be changed. Example (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)

Editors who endorse statement by Example

Endorse Seems like a good idea to me! Example3 (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)

Endorse Seems like a good idea to me! Example4 (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)

Statement by Example2

No, a new CSD G13 is a bad idea and here is argument for why. Example2 (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)

Editors who endorse statement by Example2

Endorse Indeed, a new CSD would be bad. Example5 (talk) 21:56, 31 March 2020 (UTC)