View source for Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron

{{Wikipedia:WikiProject Article rescue squadron/Tabbed header|This=1}}
{{Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/Header}}

{{center|<big>'''See the [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/Rescue list|Rescue list]] to view or contribute to the project's list of content for rescue consideration'''.</big>}}

[[File:Rescuesquad.png|frameless|border|260px|right]]
Welcome to '''WikiProject Article Rescue Squadron''' (ARS). Sometimes Wikipedia articles about [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/Examples|notable topics]] exist in poor form, badly written, unsourced {{ndash}} but that is not sufficient in itself to remove them from the encyclopedia at [[WP:AfD|Articles for Deletion]]. If an article is about an [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not|encyclopedic topic]] that has received significant coverage in [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources|reliable sources]] that are [[Wikipedia:Independent sources|independent]] of the subject, the article may simply need [[Wikipedia:Be bold|improvement]].

A significant aspect of this project's focus is on articles that may be written in poor form, lack references or need improvement, yet are backed by [[Wikipedia:Identifying reliable sources|reliable sources]] and are therefore likely worthy of a Wikipedia stand-alone article per Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Notability|notability guidelines]]. Some writer may have worked hard on that article. Some reader can use that article. In reaching out to work with such writers and readers, the project can help to preserve worthwhile content in the encyclopedia.

The project works toward improving [[Wikipedia]] as a whole by cooperating together to improve deficient articles through editing to provide necessary sources, correcting inappropriate style or tone, cleaning up grammatical and layout problems, etcetera, with the overall goal of improving the encyclopedia.<br><br><br>

{{Article Rescue Squadron Code of Conduct}}

{{toclimit|2}}
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==[[Image:Searchtool.svg|28px|Scope]] Scope==
[[File:Barnstar search rescue 02.png|120px|left|frameless]]
{{shortcut|WP:ARSSCOPE|WP:SCOPEARS}}
Wikiproject Article rescue squadron's main focus is on Wikipedia articles that are perceived as actually being '''[[WP:Notability|notable]]''' that are going through '''[[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion|Articles for deletion]]''' (AfD), which may:
::::::* Need [[Wikipedia:References|references]]
::::::* Be [[Wikipedia:Manual of style|written poorly]]
::::::* Lack [[Wikipedia:Citing sources|information readily available]]
::::::* Need [[Wikipedia:Cleanup|cleaning up]].

We also help rescue content in Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Main namespace|main namespace]] (refer to [[:en:Wikipedia:Namespace|Wikipedia: Namespace]] for more information) and other [[Wikipedia:XfD today|Daily deletion debates (XfD)]] processes, such as [[WP:MFD|Miscellany for deletion (MfD)]] and [[WP:TFD|Templates for discussion (TfD)]]. See [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/Current articles|Articles & content]] for an overview.

ARS members may also be interested in rescuing articles listed at [[Wikipedia:Copyright problems#Listings of possible copyright problems|Wikipedia: Listing of possible copyright problems]]. These articles often cover notable topics. Evaluating the extent of such problems can be difficult, but thoroughly rewriting articles with problems identified as foundational has the additional benefit of helping [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Copyright Cleanup|WikiProject Copyright Cleanup]].

==Rescue list==
A list of content for rescue consideration is located at this project's '''[[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/Rescue list|content rescue list]]'''.

==[[File:Nuvola apps kdmconfig.png|28px]] How to contribute==
[[File:Lifebelt and man icon.png|frameless|right|95px]]
:''See: [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron#Tips to help rescue articles|Tips to help rescue articles]] and [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron Guide to saving articles|ARS Guide to saving articles]]''
The Article Rescue Squadron WikiProject is about editing and improving articles. ARS is no different from any of the hundreds of Wikiprojects in that we collaborate to improve Wikipedia. If everyone who cares about preserving [[Wikipedia:Notability|important topics]] and removing [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not|unsuitable content]] reads one deletion discussion per day (or even one per week), the impact will benefit all of our readers. Moreover, reading through an [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion|article nominated for deletion]] and adding sources and rewriting the text to remove or reword unsuitable content can help other editors decide if the article should be kept or deleted.

===Does ARS want to keep everything?===
No. The project is not about making policy to ensure that nothing is deleted or casting ''keep'' votes in AfD discussions. The project ensures that articles that can be written to follow '''[[Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines|Wikipedia policies]]''' do not get deleted when they can be ''rescued'' through normal editing, which per [[WP:AFD]] means that it was not a good candidate for deletion. The {{tl|Sofixit}} and {{tl|Solookitup}} templates are sometimes all that's required for a rescue.

==Wikipedia:Articles for Deletion{{spaced ndash}}why it's important to view==
[[File:Save Notable Topics (enhanced).jpg|thumb|Wikipedia articles are based upon [[Wikipedia:Notability|topic notability]]. Sometimes articles that are nominated for deletion simply need for the topic to be proven as notable and encyclopedic through the provision of [[Wikipedia:Identifying reliable sources|reliable sources]].]]

Every time an article is deleted the contributions that were made to it are lost, and then only Wikipedia administrators can access it, but they are not necessarily experts on the article's topic. After deletion, an article's content, value, and appropriateness can no longer be evaluated by the general public. In addition, the contributor who writes a poor article on a notable topic is likely to be inexperienced. If their first efforts are deleted, they may be discouraged and refrain from creating further articles, or even editing. Everyone starts somewhere, and we should encourage better writing and better articles. [[wp:agf|Good faith]] efforts to contribute should be met with encouragement to improve.

This makes [[Wikipedia:Articles for Deletion|Articles for Deletion]] (AfD) a very important place; one that deserves everyone's attention.

A common axiom is that "AFD is not cleanup". Wikipedia is a [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia is a work in progress|work in progress]], and articles should not be deleted because no one has felt like cleaning them up ''yet''. Remember, [[Wikipedia:There is no deadline|Wikipedia has no deadline]]. If there's good, sourceable content in the article, it should be preserved, developed and improved, not deleted. The Wikipedia policy of trying to correct problems in articles through editing improvements, expansion and adding reliable sources, located at '''[[Wikipedia:Editing policy#Try to fix problems|Try to fix problems]]''', is often more appropriate than the entire deletion of articles.

The question on whether a poor but improvable article ought to be deleted is a major point of contention, and has given rise to the wiki-philosophies [[m:immediatism|immediatism]] and [[m:eventualism|eventualism]]. The Article Rescue Squadron was highlighted in [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2007-07-16/Blogger rescue|a July 2007 ''Wikipedia Signpost'']], and has grown with many processes to tag, track, and list tagged articles.

===Articles proposed for deletion (prod)===
Sometimes articles are [[Wikipedia:Proposed deletion|proposed for deletion]] (prod, prodded) without being sent to AfD, some of which are notable per Wikipedia's [[WP:GNG|General notability guideline]].
* Refer to '''[[:Category:Proposed deletion|Category: Proposed deletion]]''' and '''[[:Category:All articles proposed for deletion|Category: All articles proposed for deletion]]''' to browse these articles.
* You may wish to consider joining [[WP:PRODPATROL]].

==Rescuing drafts==
Many new articles come to Wikipedia via the [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Articles for creation|Aritcles for creation]] (AfC) process. Reviewers assess these contributions and either accept, decline or reject them. Declined drafts on notable subjects may be improved by the authors and resubmitted. In many cases, however, this does not happen and the drafts are essentially abandoned. Abandoned drafts are subject to deletion under [[WP:G13]] after 6 months of inactivity. Since all this occurs in [[Wikipedia:Drafts|Draft:]] space and typically involves new editors, these deletions are largely invisible to the editing community.

You can help by reviewing drafts that will soon become eligible for deletion and improving them and submitting them for rereview at AfC.
*[[User:SDZeroBot/G13_soon|Drafts becoming eligible for G13 in a week from now]]
*[[:Category:AfC postponed G13|Submissions that an editor feels may be able to be saved]]
*[[:Category:Promising draft articles|Quality submissions that an editor feels may be able to be saved]]
*[[:Category:Declined AfC submissions|All declined submissions]] - includes subcategories for various decline reasons

==Tips to help rescue articles==
:''See also: [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron Guide to saving articles|ARS Guide to saving articles]]''
{{shortcut|WP:RESCUETIPS}}
* Familiarize yourself with Wikipedia's guidelines for [[Wikipedia:Notability|topic notability]] and [[Wikipedia:Identifying reliable sources|identifying reliable sources]]
* Read Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Editing policy|Editing policy]], including the policy [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not|What Wikipedia is not]].
* Discuss issues regarding an individual article on that article's talk page, not on this project's talk page.
* Suggest an article nominated for deletion that you feel meets notability guidelines, or should be retained for other reasons, on this project's [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/Rescue list|article rescue list]] page, for ARS consideration.
* Browse [[Wikipedia:Articles for Deletion|Articles for Deletion]] periodically, and consider improving articles that you feel meet [[wp:notability|notability guidelines]].
* Read [[Wikipedia:Guide to deletion]] for more tips.

===Source searches===
In addition to below, placing {{tl|Talk header}} at the top of a Talk page now includes the "Find Sources".
----
[[File:Crystal Clear app wp.png|left|60px|Pen & Earth]]
{{Col-begin|width=80%}}
{{Col-break}}
:* [http://news.google.com/ Google News]
:* [http://books.google.com/ Google Book Search]
:* [http://scholar.google.com/ Google Scholar]
:* [http://www.newslibrary.com/ NewsLibrary.com]
{{Col-break}}
* [http://www.worldcat.org/ World Cat]
* [http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=007734830908295939403:galkqgoksq0 Wikipedia Reference Search] by the [[User:Nicolas1981/Wikipedia Reference Search|WRS project]]
* [http://politicalgraveyard.com/index.html/ Political Graveyard]
{{Col-break}}
* [http://www.thepaperboy.com/ Thepaperboy.com]
* [[List of newspapers in the United States by circulation|Reliable newspapers]]
* [[Wikipedia:List of free online resources|Wikipedia: List of free online resources]]
{{col-end}}
----

===Article Rescue checklist===
Here's a quick checklist of 10 steps anyone can take for articles that need rescue:
[[File:Barnstar search rescue.png|150px|right|frameless]]
# '''Find and add [[Wikipedia:Identifying reliable sources|reliable sources]]'''{{spaced ndash}}It is most important that sources demonstrating the notability of a subject are added to articles when they are found. Do it properly, using the correct [[Wikipedia:Citation templates|citation templates]].
# '''Add [[Wikipedia:WikiProject|WikiProjects]]'''{{spaced ndash}}View article talk pages to see if appropriate [[:Category:WikiProject banners|WikiProject banners]] have been added. WikiProject banners help draw attention to articles from editors who are interested in the subject, especially if the project subscribes to [[WP:AALERTS|Article Alerts]]. You don't need anyone's permission to add relevant WikiProject banners to article talk pages.
# '''Solicit WikiProject support'''{{spaced ndash}}Many articles needing rescue merely need attention from an [[Wikipedia:Expert editors|expert]] on the subject. A short note on a WikiProject talk page seeking expert attention can bring remarkable results fast.
# '''Take the time to strengthen the [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Lead section|Lead section]]'''{{spaced ndash}}The lead sets the tone for the rest of an article. Take the time to rewrite or improve the lead so that an article's title and its contents are in sync. Nothing detracts more from an otherwise notable subject than a lead that inadequately conveys what an article is about.
# '''[[Wikipedia:Cleanup|Clean-up]]''' articles{{spaced ndash}}If an article about an otherwise notable subject has a bunch of unorganized content on the page, it is best to clean it up on the spot and bring it up to par with the [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style|Manual of Style]] guidelines. Some examples of clean-up include [[Wikipedia:Basic copyediting|copy editing]], [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Linking|wikifying]] (adding [[Help:Link#Wikilinks|internal links]], [[Help:Interwiki linking|interwiki links]] and [[Wikipedia:External links|external links]]), correcting spelling, grammar and typographical errors, converting poorly formatted references with proper citation templates and adding relevant sections.
# '''Add [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Infoboxes|Infoboxes]], [[Wikipedia:Categories, lists, and navigation templates#Navigation templates|Navigation Templates]] and sidebars'''{{spaced ndash}}If they are not present in articles and their addition is appropriate, do so and complete their fields as much as possible.
# '''[[Wikipedia:Orphan|De-orphan]] articles'''{{spaced ndash}}Link and cross-reference articles with other articles, lists and categories. Make sure articles have internal links that link to other appropriate, highly related articles, which helps to clarify and expound upon information. If it is difficult to incorporate links within the text of an article, the ''See also'' section is an appropriate place to list links for related articles. Look for sources and content in related articles that might enhance orphaned articles. Utilizing the "What links here" feature in the Toolbox pull-down menu in the left column of Wikipedia pages provides a list of pages that link to an article.
# '''Eliminate the junk'''{{spaced ndash}}If there is [[Wikipedia:Verifiability#Burden of evidence|unsourced]] or irrelevant content, [[Wikipedia:Copyright violations|copyright violations]], or other "junk" in articles, eliminate it ruthlessly. If there is a question about the validity of content, start a discussion on the talk page and tag questionable content with [[Wikipedia:Template messages|template messages]] as necessary. Don't just ignore the "junk" if its there. Conversely, it's very important to preserve appropriate content {{ndash}} as long as any of the facts or ideas added to an article would belong in a "finished" article. For more information, please refer to '''[[Wikipedia:Editing policy#Try to fix problems|Try to fix problems]]'''.
# '''Treat articles as if they were your best achievements'''{{spaced ndash}}Make changes to articles that will turn them into articles that you would be proud of personally. We know how to do it, we just need to do it.
# '''Positively engage new editors'''{{spaced ndash}}When you find that an article has been created by a new editor (maybe their first one) or by inexperienced editors, engage them in a positive, mentoring way. Help them learn how to create and contribute better content. Engage them on their talk pages, encourage them, and most importantly make them feel [[Wikipedia:Welcoming committee/Welcome to Wikipedia|welcome]]. If there are policy or guideline issues on the table, don't just refer them to a policy link; engage them in a [[Wikipedia:Talk page guidelines|discussion]] to ensure they better understand how to make quality contributions. Make sure the editor knows that merging and userfication are alternatives to deletion. Even if an article is ultimately lost, this positive engagement will help us all by encouraging new contributors to make useful, productive edits.

==[[Image:Nuvola apps bookcase.png|27px|Books]] Articles and content==
<center>'''Note:''' To ensure the most recent listings in the pull-down menus below are displayed, click here: '''{{purge}}'''</center>

{{Deletiondebates}}
===Articles===
* For current articles nominated for deletion, see [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Log/{{#time:Y F j}}|Today's AfD log]] (from [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion|Wikipedia: Articles for deletion]]).
* For a list of all deletion debates opened on a daily basis, see [[Wikipedia:XfD today|XfD today]]
* For a list of deletion discussion pages, see [[Wikipedia:Deletion process#List of deletion-related pages|Deletion process]]
* For a search engine to find deletion discussions by topic, see [[Wikipedia:Deletion process#Search all deletion discussions|Search all deletion discussions]].
* For a general guide to creating articles, see [[Wikipedia:Your first article|Wikipedia: Your first article]].

====Articles currently tagged for deletion====
* '''[[:Category:Articles for deletion|Category: Articles for deletion]]'''
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;white-space: wrap;" cellspacing="1"
! style="background-color: #cde;" | Articles currently tagged for deletion
|-
| align="left" |
{{div col|2}}<categorytree mode=pages hideroot=off>Articles for deletion</categorytree>{{div col end}}
|}


====Articles currently proposed for deletion====
* '''[[:Category:Proposed deletion|Category: Proposed deletion]] and [[:Category:All articles proposed for deletion|Category: All articles proposed for deletion]]'''
* '''See also: [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Old/Open AfDs|Articles for deletion/Old/Open AfDs]]'''{{spaced ndash}}Articles for deletion discussions that have finished their discussion period and are eligible to be closed following the [[Wikipedia:Deletion process|deletion process]].
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;white-space: wrap;" cellspacing="1"
! style="background-color: #cde;" | All articles proposed for deletion
|-
| align="left" |
{{div col|2}}<categorytree mode=pages hideroot=off>All articles proposed for deletion</categorytree>{{div col end}}
|}
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;white-space: wrap;" cellspacing="1"
! style="background-color: #cde;" | Articles currently proposed for deletion
|-
| align="left" |
{{div col|2}}<categorytree mode=pages hideroot=off>Proposed deletion</categorytree>{{div col end}}
|}

====Biographies of living persons====
* '''[[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/BLP|Article Rescue Squadron – Biographies of living persons]]'''
* '''[[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/BLP volunteers|Article Rescue Squadron{{spaced ndash}}BLP rescue volunteers]]'''
Many articles have been deleted as Biographies that had been flagged for years as unsourced. The administrators who deleted them have stated that the restoration of these articles is acceptable, provided that any restored articles are then properly sourced and made fully compliant with [[WP:BLP]] (Biographies of living persons). For some background information, see [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk%3AScott_MacDonald&action=historysubmit&diff=339963249&oldid=339961881 here]. BLP articles that are properly sourced will simply be restored, along with their talk pages.

To volunteer to reference one or more of the articles that have recently been deleted as unreferenced BLPs, see [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/BLP volunteers|ARS BLP volunteers]].

====Article restoration====
{{shortcut|WP:SJR}}
:''Further information: [[Wikipedia:Viewing and restoring deleted pages|Viewing and restoring deleted pages]]

=====Article userfication=====
:''See also: [[Wikipedia:Userfication|Userfication essay]]''
* '''[[Wikipedia:Requests for undeletion|Requests for undeletion]]'''{{spaced ndash}}If an article has already been deleted but you intend to improve it, you can request that it be moved into your [[Wikipedia:User page|user namespace]] at Requests for undeletion. Another option is to ask any of the administrators on [[:Category:Wikipedia administrators who will provide copies of deleted articles|this list]] who will userfy articles for editors.

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
!align="left" width="1350"|List of administrators willing to provide copies of deleted articles
|-
|align=left| <div style="font-size:98%;">
{{div col|4}}<categorytree mode=pages showcount=on>Category:Wikipedia administrators willing to provide copies of deleted articles</categorytree>{{div col end}}</div>
|}

====Articles with topics of unclear notability====
* '''[[:Category:Articles with topics of unclear notability]]'''{{spaced ndash}}lists topics that are unclear regarding their notability.
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;white-space: wrap;" cellspacing="1"
! style="background-color: #cde;" | Articles with topics of unclear notability
|-
| align="left" |
{{div col|2}}<categorytree mode=pages hideroot=off>Articles with topics of unclear notability</categorytree>{{div col end}}
|}
<br>

===Content===
====Files for discussion====
* '''[[Wikipedia:Files for discussion|Files for discussion]]'''{{spaced ndash}}Files for discussion (FfD) is for the discussion of images and other media files (such as audio and video files) that are being considered for deletion. Files that have been listed at FfD for more than 7 days are eligible for deletion if either a consensus to do so has been reached or no objections to deletion have been raised.

====Categories for discussion====
* '''[[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion|Categories for discussion]]'''{{spaced ndash}}Categories for discussion (Cfd) is where deletion, merging, and renaming of categories is discussed. Categories that have been listed for more than seven days are eligible for deletion, renaming or merging when a rough consensus to do so has been reached or no objections to the nomination have been raised.<br>
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;white-space: wrap;" cellspacing="1"
! style="background-color: #cde;" | Categories for discussion
|-
| align="left" |
{{div col|2}}<categorytree mode=pages hideroot=off>Category:Categories for discussion</categorytree>{{div col end}}
|}

====Templates for discussion====
* '''[[Wikipedia:Templates for discussion|Templates for discussion]]'''{{spaced ndash}}On this page, deletion or merging of [[Wikipedia:Template|templates]] is discussed. Stub templates are ''not'' covered here, and are discussed at [[Wikipedia:Stub types for deletion|Wikipedia: Stub types for deletion]].

====Redirects for discussion====
* '''[[Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion|Redirects for discussion]]'''{{spaced ndash}}Redirects for discussion (RfD) is the place where problematic [[Wikipedia:Redirect|redirects]] are discussed.<br>
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;white-space: wrap;" cellspacing="1"
! style="background-color: #cde;" | Redirects for discussion
|-
| align="left" |
{{div col|2}}<categorytree mode=pages hideroot=off>Category:Redirects for discussion</categorytree>{{div col end}}
|}

====Miscellany for deletion====
* '''[[Wikipedia:Miscellany for deletion|Miscellany for deletion]] and [[:Category:Miscellaneous pages for deletion|Category: Miscellaneous pages for deletion]]'''
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;white-space: wrap;" cellspacing="1"
! style="background-color: #cde;" | Miscellany for deletion
|-
| align="left" |
{{div col|2}}<categorytree mode=pages hideroot=off>Category:Miscellaneous pages for deletion</categorytree>{{div col end}}
|}

==Search all deletion discussions==
{{Search deletion discussions}}

==Article alerts==
* '''[[Wikipedia:Article alerts|Article alerts]]'''

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
!align="left" width="680"|Article alerts for ARS
|-
|align=left| {{/Article alerts}}
|}
==Selected previous rescues==
* See a selected list of previous rescues at '''[[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/Hall of Fame|Wikipedia: Article Rescue Squadron/Hall of Fame]]'''.
* See [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/Current articles subpage|Current articles subpage]] and [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/Current articles (2009)|Current articles (2009)]] for listings of resolved rescues and ARS collaborations from 2009.

===Examples===
* [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/Examples|Article Rescue Squadron/Examples]]

==[[Image:Nuvola apps kdmconfig.png|28px|2 people]] Participants==
To join, simply add your name to [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/Members|our membership list]]; feel free to add your ideas to [[Wikipedia talk:Article Rescue Squadron|the project discussion page]] as well.


==User boxes==
===Rescued articles===
ARS user page boxes:
* {{tl|User Article Rescue Squadron}}

{{User Article Rescue Squadron|nocat=true}}{{spaced ndash}}There's an automatically-generated list of members using this banner [[Special:WhatLinksHere/Template:User Article Rescue Squadron|here]].
<br>

* {{tl|User WikiProject Article Rescue Squadron}}

{{User WikiProject Article Rescue Squadron|nocat=true}}{{spaced ndash}}There's an automatically-generated list of members using this banner [[Special:WhatLinksHere/Template:User WikiProject Article Rescue Squadron|here]].
<br><br>

Once you've rescued an article or two, show your Rescue Squadron pride with

* <tt><nowiki>{{User:Jclemens/Rescues|n}}</nowiki></tt>
(where ''n'' is the number of articles you've helped rescue)
{{User:Jclemens/Rescues|n}}{{spaced ndash}}There's an automatically-generated list of members using this banner [[Special:WhatLinksHere/User:Jclemens/Rescues|here]].
<br><br>

* <tt><nowiki>{{WikiProject Article Rescue Squadron/Userbox|n}}</nowiki></tt>

{{WikiProject Article Rescue Squadron/Userbox|n}}There's an automatically-generated list of members using this banner [[Special:WhatLinksHere/Template:WikiProject Article Rescue Squadron/Userbox|here]].
<br>
===Rescued article — then to FA or GA===

'''Have you helped take an article from [[WP:AFD|Articles for deletion]] to [[WP:FA|Featured Article]] or [[WP:GA|Good Article]] quality ?'''

show your Rescue Squadron pride with

* <tt><nowiki>{{User AFD to FA|n}}</nowiki></tt>
(where ''n'' is the number of articles you've helped rescue and take to [[WP:FA|Featured Article]] quality)
{{User AFD to FA|n}}{{spaced ndash}}There's an automatically-generated list of members using this banner [[Special:WhatLinksHere/Template:User AFD to FA|here]].
<br><br>

* <tt><nowiki>{{User AFD to GA|n}}</nowiki></tt>
(where ''n'' is the number of articles you've helped rescue and take to [[WP:GA|Good Article]] quality)
{{User AFD to GA|n}}{{spaced ndash}}There's an automatically-generated list of members using this banner [[Special:WhatLinksHere/Template:User AFD to GA|here]].
<br><br>

===WikiProject Invitation===
;'''<big>To invite someone:</big>'''

To invite someone to join the Article Rescue Squadron, you can use our handy invite by pasting '''<nowiki>{{subst:Article Rescue Squadron invite}}</nowiki>''' to their userpage.

==Barnstars==
{{shortcut|WP:ARSBARNSTARS}}

There are five specific Rescue [[Wikipedia:Barnstars|Barnstars]] for anyone who has made significant contributions to rescuing articles; it is up to those awarding them to choose which one to use:
<div style="float:left; width:87%">
{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;white-space: wrap;" cellspacing="1"
! style="background-color: #cde;" | Barnstars
|-
| align="left" |

{| class="wikitable"
! Image !! What to type !! Description
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Barnstar search rescue.png|The Rescue Barnstar]]
| {{tlsp|The Rescue Barnstar|message <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>}}
| '''The Rescue Barnstar''' – to be awarded to people who rescue articles from deletion or assist in identifying and rescuing articles. This can be independent of or in cooperation with the Article Rescue Squadron.
* Recommended for someone who has been involved in multiple rescues.
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Barnstar search rescue 02.png|The Rescue Barnstar 2]]
| {{tlsp|The Rescue Barnstar 2|message <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>}}
| '''The Rescue Barnstar 2''' – to be awarded to people who rescue articles from deletion or assist in identifying and rescuing articles. This can be independent of or in cooperation with the Article Rescue Squadron.
* Recommended for someone who has found articles to be saved or otherwise assisted in saving an article from AfD (deletion).
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Rescuebarnstar.png|The Resccue Barnstar 3]]
| {{tlsp|The Rescue Barnstar 3|message <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>}}
| '''The Rescue Barnstar 3''' – to be awarded to people who rescue articles from deletion or assist in identifying and rescuing articles. This can be independent of or in cooperation with the Article Rescue Squadron.
* Recommended for someone who has saved an article from AfD (deletion).
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Rescue Barnstar Hires.png|100px|The Rescue Barnstar 4]]
| {{tlsp|The Rescue Barnstar 3|message <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>|alt}}
| '''The Rescue Barnstar 3 <nowiki>[alternate image]</nowiki>''' – to be awarded to people who rescue articles from deletion or assist in identifying and rescuing articles. This can be independent of or in cooperation with the Article Rescue Squadron.
* Recommended for someone who has saved an article from AfD (deletion).
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:CPR Barnstar.png|100px]]
| {{tlsp|The Barnstar of Recovery|message <nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>}}
| '''The Barnstar of Recovery'''
''The Barnstar of Recovery'' is awarded to editors who make '''[[WP:BOLD|BOLD]]''' contributions to articles during their deletion reviews, thus saving the article from deletion. It has the international sign for "[[first aid]]" as its background.

Designed and introduced by [[User:Ryan4314|Ryan4314]] on [[January 7]], [[2008]].
|}
|}
</div>
{{-}}
;'''Hall of fame:'''
* [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/Hall of Fame#Award|Wikipedia: Article Rescue Squadron{{spaced ndash}}Hall of Fame/Award]]

==Templates==
See [[Wikipedia:Article Rescue Squadron/Templates|Wikipedia: Article Rescue Squadron{{spaced ndash}}Templates]] for ARS templates.

==Frequently asked questions==
{{FAQ|collapsed=yes|quickedit=no}}

==Reasons to retain content==
* It can be discouraging for an editor to have their article deleted, especially for new and first-time contributors. An alternative is [[Wikipedia:Userfication|Userfication]], in which articles for deletion can be placed into a user's namespace, providing an option to improve an article to meet Wikipedia's notability guidelines.
* Instead of deleting articles altogether, sometimes they can be merged with other articles (see [[Mergism]]).
* It can be frustrating for a reader to come to Wikipedia for information and inside find that the relevant article existed at one point but has been deleted. This may discourage both Wikipedia readership and authorship.
* Deleting a well-written, well-sourced article on the basis of [[WP:NOT|what Wikipedia is not]] can reduce the total information of Wikipedia.

==See also==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*[[Wikipedia:Deletion to Quality Award]]
* [[Wikipedia:Alternative outlets|Alternative outlets]]{{spaced ndash}} for potentially useful/valuable content which is not appropriate for Wikipedia.
* [[Wikipedia:AfD Patrol|Articles for Deletion Patrol]]
* [[Wikipedia:Articles for Improvement|Articles for Improvement]]
* [[Wikipedia:Deletion policy|Deletion policy]]
:* [[WP:ATD|Alternatives to deletion]]
* [[Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Precedents|Deletion precedents]]
* [[Wikipedia:Deletion process|Deletion process]]
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* [[Wikipedia:Deletion review|Deletion review]]
* [[User:GRBerry/DRVGuide|Deletion review guide]]
* [[Wikipedia:Guide to deletion|Guide to deletion]]
* [[Wikipedia:Introduction to deletion process|Introduction to deletion process]]
* [[Wikipedia:Cite4Wiki]]{{spaced ndash}} a useful tool for referencing articles
* [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2007-07-16/Blogger rescue|Wikipedia Signpost: Wikipedian bloggers launch "article rescue" effort]]
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===Related projects===
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* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Abandoned Articles|WikiProject Abandoned Articles]]
* [[Wikipedia:Cleanup|WikiProject Cleanup]]
* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Deletion|WikiProject Deletion]]
* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Deletion sorting|WikiProject Deletion sorting]]
* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Fact and Reference Check|WikiProject Fact and Reference Check]]
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* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Guild of Copy Editors|WikiProject Guild of Copy Editors]]
* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Inclusion|WikiProject Inclusion]]
* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Notability|WikiProject Notability]]
* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Unsourced Article Rescue|WikiProject Unsourced Article Rescue]]
* [[Wikipedia:Today's article for improvement|Today's article for improvement]]
* [[User:MadeYourReadThis/Article Eradication Squadron]]
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===Essays, etc.===
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* [[User:Beeblebrox/Adding sources as a tactical maneuver|Adding sources as a tactical maneuver]]
* [[User:Emijrp/All human knowledge|All human knowledge]]
* [[User:Mike Cline/Archimedes was deleted|Archimedes was deleted]]
* [[Wikipedia:Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions|Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions]]
* [[Wikipedia:Article rescue contest|Article rescue contest]]
* [[Wikipedia:Bare notability|Bare notability]]
* [[Deletionism and inclusionism in Wikipedia]]
* [[Wikipedia:Don't be an ostrich|Don't be an ostrich]]
* [[User:Fresheneesz/Don't Destroy|Don't Destroy]]
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* [[User:Bdj/DRV is Broken|Deletion review is broken]]{{spaced ndash}} An analysis of 2007 deletion reviews
* [[Wikipedia:Give an article a chance|Give an article a chance]]
* [[Wikipedia:How to save an article proposed for deletion|How to save an article proposed for deletion]]
* [[User:Mike Cline/The Inclusionist's Guide To Deletion Debates|Inclusionist's Guide To Deletion Debates]]
* [[Wikipedia:Potential, not just current state|Potential, not just current state]]
* [[Wikipedia:Society for the Preservation of the Quazer Beast|Society for the Preservation of the Quazer Beast]]
* [[Wikipedia:The Heymann Standard|The Heymann Standard]]{{spaced ndash}} describes the amount of work needed on a page to convince an editor to change their vote from "delete" or "neutral" to "keep" in an Articles for deletion debate.
* [[Wikipedia:There is no deadline|There is no deadline]]
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==External links==
{{MiniAWFP}}
* [http://deletionpedia.dbatley.com/w/index.php?title=Main_Page Deletionpedia] {{spaced ndash}} Access to deleted Wikipedia articles
* [http://wikibin.org/ "Wikibin: The Recycle Bin of Wikipedia!"]{{spaced ndash}} Access to deleted Wikipedia articles
* {{in lang|de}} [http://de.pluspedia.org/wiki/Kategorie:WikiPedia_Deleted WikiPedia Deleted – Enzyklopädie PlusPedia]{{spaced ndash}} Category page of deleted articles from [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Hauptseite German Wikipedia]
* [http://toolserver.org/~emijrp/wmcharts/wmchart0004.php wmcharts – Deletions and restorations] {{deadlink|date=June 2012}}

===Essays===
* [https://www.gwern.net/In%20Defense%20Of%20Inclusionism "In Defense Of Inclusionism"] (essay)
* [https://www.nybooks.com/articles/21131 The Charms of Wikipedia] in [[The New York Review of Books]] {{paywall}}{{spaced ndash}} includes information about article rescue, by [[User:Wageless|Article Rescue Squadron veteran]] [[Nicholson Baker]]
* [https://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+hidden+Wikipedia%3A+how+to+find+deleted+material+about+Nutritional...-a0261241063 "The hidden Wikipedia: how to find deleted material about Nutritional Medicine: Orthomolecular Medicine News Service."] Free Online Library.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160901182044/http://www.andrewlih.com/blog/2007/07/10/unwanted-new-articles-in-wikipedia/ ''Unwanted: New articles in Wikipedia''] (essay){{spaced ndash}} by Andrew Lih, USC professor and author of ''[[The Wikipedia Revolution]]''

===Wikimedia Meta-Wiki links===
[http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Meta-Wiki] is the global community site for the [http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Home Wikimedia Foundation's] projects and related projects.
* [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Deletionist_Wikipedians Association of Deletionist Wikipedians]
* [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Inclusionist_Wikipedians Association of Inclusionist Wikipedians]
* [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Mergist_Wikipedians Association of Mergist Wikipedians]
* [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Association_of_Structurist_Wikipedians Association of Structurist Wikipedians]

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{{Essays on building Wikipedia}}
{{Wikipedia policies and guidelines}}
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[[Category:Active WikiProjects]]