Template:Disputed/doc

{{disputed}} is a template that is functionally identical to {{fact}}, but is used when it may be useful to more strongly imply that you don't believe the statement is true. Both {{fact}} and {{disputed}} equally say, "show me the citation or withdraw the statement" — or "post proof or retract", as used to be said on early internet forums.

Note that it is not the same as {{facts}}, which assumes that the statement is true, but is merely asking for additional sources.

Usage

This template should be used in instances where statements seem to be blatantly untrue.

For example, you may come across something like this:

In 1985, the Sixth Doctor proved the Moon was made of cheese, limes and cake.

Did he really? Probably not. Indeed, most of the time you feel strongly enough about a statement to use {{disputed}} over {{fact}}, you should probably just remove the statement. But let's say there was a niggle of doubt in your mind because you hadn't read all the stories in the Doctor Who Annual 1986. So, just to assuage your own doubt, you might instead leave the statement in and clearly indicate your displeasure with it:

In 1985, the Sixth Doctor proved the Moon was made of cheese, limes and cake.^{[disputed statement]}

This wiki has a number of templates which put small, inline statements within the body of articles that seek specific improvements in articles. These include:

Attribution request templates

Categorised into articles with statements that need more specific attribution

Primary documentation at {{says who}}

These all do the same thing, but put different, contextually-appropriate phrases into the body of the article:

• {{which}}
• {{by whom}}
• {{says who}} or {{sezwho}}
• {{who}}

Clarification request templates

Categorised into articles with statements that need clarification

This indicates that a statement, as worded, makes so little sense that you can't figure out how to improve it. It's not meant as a statement of incredulity. You're not saying with this that you don't believe the statement. You're saying that it's so poorly written that you have no idea what the statement means.

• {{what}}

Source request templates

Categorised into articles needing citation

These templates challenge the veracity of a statement, to one degree or another, by indicating that the statement needs better sourcing:

• {{fact}} or {{source}}
• {{disputed}}
• {{facts}}, categorised into articles needing additional citations