Template talk:Ellipsis

Use of template:Ellipsis
I do hate these experimental templates that are left in place, then used and used and used. This template was set up for a specific use where there was a clear typographic reason to format an ellipsis as a string with a look. We currently have nearly 3000 uses of the wretched template, where many are not in line with our style guide.

I would like for us to run a bot through and convert the template to utilise a true ellipsis, OR actually replace the content of the template with an ellipsis, though having rescued those works that require the use a typographic ellipsis to a new template. Whichever preferred tasks requires a bot.

I recall that you had a specific work or two that you believed required the typographic ellipsis, are you able to identify such works so that they are not caught in any remedial work if undertaken. — billinghurst  sDrewth  14:08, 20 February 2018 (UTC)


 * I have used this template in several works for the reasons you mention. In prose fiction, especially in dialogue, the template is warranted, I believe, to preserve the pacing of speech. The template aso allows for four or five dots, instead of simply multiples of 3. Therefore, I would suggest we stop calling this template "experimental" and make it a normal part of our functioning. There isn't a suitable alternative that would preserve the original text, in many cases. --EncycloPetey (talk) 17:47, 20 February 2018 (UTC)
 * I agree with EncycloPetey in each reason. Also, I don't think the style guide is a sufficient reason for a mass substitution or a template edit which will significantly alter the appearance of many works. Reasonable derogations from it are accepted as long as they are consistent in a work. For example, is a stronger instruction than, yet if a user opts consistently for curly quotes in a book they alone are working on, who cares? BethNaught (talk) 18:14, 28 March 2018 (UTC)
 * For what it's worth I also agree with EncycloPetey. I was just trying to explain my thoughts on the matter on my talk page when I was alerted to the discussion here. Here is a page I proofed before I knew about the template. Looking back on it now I see it would look much nicer, and more like the original to use the template: She dreamed. Suddenly she heard voices and laughter. Not that I'd want to go back and change it now, but I'd prefer to continue using ... for similar cases in the future. Mudbringer (talk) 16:29, 2 April 2018 (UTC)