Wikipedia:Compare Criteria Good v. Featured
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Compare Criteria: Good v. Featured Articles
Here the standards for good articles and featured articles lined up, side-by-side. The numeric order from both lists of criteria don't line up, but the standards make sense.
A good article has the following attributes:
- 1. Well written. (a) comprehensible, correct, (b) logical, sectioned (c) doesn't violate style standards (d) jargon explained or linked.
- 2. Accurate and verifiable. Footnotes from viable sources.
- 3. Broad. No unnecessary details.
- 4. Neutral.
- 5. Stable.
- 6. Images. Appropriate with fair use rationale.
A featured article exemplifies our very best work and professional standards of writing and presentation.
- 1. Well written (compelling, brilliant), comprehensive, factually accurate, neutral and stable.
- 2. Style standards. Complies with the manual. (a) lead, (b) heading hierarchy, (c) table of contents.
- 3. Images. Appropriate with fair use rationale.
- 4. Length. Appropriate length, staying focused on the main topic without going into unnecessary detail.
[edit] Similarities
The images, neutrality, stability and accuracy standards seem to be identical in both types. There are nuances, but a hierarchy of sections and headings seem to be more similar than different. Both articles should stay focused on the main topic without going into unnecessary detail. There is no requirement for a table of contents in a good article, but in practice an article probably will not merit the rating without one. There is no length requirement in either set of criteria. FAs tend to be long, and the GA system was originally designed to recognise excellent short articles.
[edit] Differences
Style in a good article must not violate standards: style in a featured article must comply with standards.
The writing is the most striking difference: there is no requirement for compelling or brilliant in good articles. Featured articles must be our very best work. A featured article must be comprehensive: a good article must be broad.
Featured articles must comply with "the standards set out in... relevant WikiProjects"; no such requirement exists for good articles.
