Forum:Vote: Should We Change Tense in Articles?

It has recently been suggested that we change the tense of articles, particularly the Plot section, from present to past. We currently use present tense everywhere on the articles except for the History sections, which are past tense. The proposed change would convert everything but the lead paragraphs to past tense. I've looked around on some of the larger wikis, and the numbers that use either past or present seem to be fairly equal. I'm calling a community vote to decide whether or not we should make this change.

There can be variations of what parts of the articles are changed. For example, all of the sections other than Plot and the lead paragraph could be changed, or only Plot could be changed. If you support the change, please give your reason and exactly what part of the articles should be changed. Please sign your reply with four tildes (~) or simply click the "Signature" button. If you don't sign your post, your vote will not be counted. I must also ask that only registered members vote. Anonymous users will not be counted.

I have my own thoughts on this, but I won't say anything until a sufficient number of users have voted. Ultimately, Donuts and I will make a decision based on the community vote. Everyone's feedback is important, so please reply below.Turambar  03:11, June 9, 2011 (UTC)


 * My primary reason for proposing a tense change by using past as opposed to present tense in certain sections is because the most recent chapter is the "present" so to speak, making everything else that has happened in the past. I think the following would work well in past tense:
 * History and plot sections for living characters (not zombified): Both have already happened.
 * For any characters that are dead dead (didn't become undead): Past tense throughout. They no longer have an active role in the story.
 * Universe articles in which the ultimate fate of the location, vehicle or weapon was that it fell out of use, was abandoned, or destroyed: Past for the most part; if it was destroyed, past throughout.
 * For characters who became zombified: Past except where stating that they are now one of Them. They are not literally dead, but are figuratively, unless a cure for the zombification is found, reversing the status.  However it appears that everyone who becomes a zombie does die physically before being reborn as a zombie, so they are effectively dead in this sense.
 * -- BrokenSphere (Talk) 21:32, June 10, 2011 (UTC)