Template:Vague
[vague]
 | This template is used on approximately 3,000 pages and changes may be widely noticed. Test changes in the template's /sandbox or /testcases subpages, or in your own user subpage. Consider discussing changes on the talk page before implementing them. |
Use this template in the body text of an article as a request for other editors to clarify specific words or statements that are vague. This template is a self-reference and so is part of the Wikipedia project rather than the encyclopedic content.
Usage
This is an inline template which should be placed immediately after the material in question, as with a footnote. For example:
This statement is too vague.{{Vague|date=June 2025}}→ This statement is too vague.[vague]- The wikilink on "vague" is set to Wikipedia:Vagueness.
Parameters
- Abbreviated parameter sets
{{Vague|date=June 2025}}{{Vague|date=June 2025|reason= }}{{Vague|date=June 2025|text= }}
- Full parameter set
{{Vague|date=June 2025|reason= |text= }}
- Parameter descriptions
|date=- Like all inline templates, this template allows a date parameter which records when the vague tag was added. If the date parameter was not included when this template was added, the date parameter will automatically be added soon after by a bot. Alternatively, you may add the date automatically (without requiring bot intervention) by substituting the template. That is:
{{subst:Vague}}is equivalent to{{Vague|date=June 2025}}. This substitution technique also works if other parameters –|reason=|text=– are included.
|reason=- Because it may not be immediately apparent to other readers and/or editors what the specific reason the tagged statement is in need of clarification, it is generally helpful to add a brief reason for the vague tag:
{{Vague|reason=What the problem is.}}(this is preferable to using an HTML<!-- comment -->after the tag, as it is tidier to keep all of the{{Vague}}-related code inside the template). If the request reason would be lengthy, use the article's talk page to address the issue in detail. - As well as being visible in the source code for readers and editors' benefit, the
reasonparameter is, if provided, displayed as a pop-up when the mouse is hovered over the 'vague' link in the article.
|text=- The particular text needing clarification may be highlighted within the prose by wrapping this vague template around it:
- Please note: when using this
textparameter, please ensure you leave a space before starting the template code.
TemplateData
TemplateData for Vague
Template for marking specific inline words and phrases as too vague for Wikipedia's guidelines.
| Parameter | Description | Type | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reason? | reason title | Why are you marking this as 'vague'? This will be displayed as a tool tip.
| String | suggested |
| Text | text | Text fragment containing concerns the tag is supposed to address. | String | optional |
| Date | date | Month and year that this template was placed on the page.
| Date | suggested |
See also
- {{Unfocused}}
| Related inline templates |
| Related pages |
