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To create references you will use a '''reference template'''. Templates are a useful trick that simplify the work involved. While not necessary to understand the basics, it may be helpful to take a look at the [[:Help:Templates]] article before continuing.
A ''basic'' reference template looks like this: <code><nowiki>{{ref |text=This is a reference.}}</nowiki></code>. Notice that it's enclosed by double curly braces (<code>{{}}</code>). The ''template name'' comes first ("ref"), followed by ''parameters'', all separated by vertical bars (<code>|</code>). Named parameters, like "text=" require the parameter name and equals sign along with your input, as shown above. Unnamed parameters (you'll see these below, in all caps) should be completely replaced by your input. When placed in the text of an article, it will be automatically rendered as a superscript, bracketed number: <code>{{ref |text=This is a reference.}}</code>. It links to the bottom of the page, where you'll see that same number along with the text: <references />
There are a LOT of reference templates to choose from. The right one for the job depends on what the source is. Here are some of the most commonly used reference templates and the parameters they require. For a complete list of all reference templates see [[:Category:Reference templates]].
;General Book {{t|book ref}}
: Looks like: <code><nowiki>{{book ref |BOOK |CHAPTER}}</nowiki></code>, where:
:* <code>BOOK</code> is the full book name or [[:Template:B|abbreviation]]
:* <code>CHAPTER</code> is the chapter number, "prologue", or "epilogue"
;Epigraphs {{t|epigraph ref}}
: Looks like: <code><nowiki>{{epigraph ref |BOOK |CHAPTER}}</nowiki></code>, where:
:* <code>BOOK</code> is the full book name or [[:Template:B|abbreviation]]
:* <code>CHAPTER</code> is the chapter number, "prologue", or "epilogue"
;Mistborn<nowiki>:</nowiki> Secret History {{t|msh ref}}
: Looks like: <code><nowiki>{{msh ref |PART |CHAPTER}}</nowiki></code>, where:
:* <code>PART</code> is the part number or "epilogue"
:* <code>CHAPTER</code> is the chapter number; leave blank if <code>PART</code> is "epilogue"
;The Emperor's Soul {{t|tes ref}}
: Looks like: <code><nowiki>{{tes ref |DAY}}</nowiki></code>, where:
:* <code>DAY</code> is the day number, "prologue", or "epilogue"
;Arcanum Unbounded {{t|au ref}}
: Looks like: <code><nowiki>{{au ref |SYSTEM/STORY}}</nowiki></code>, where:
:* <code>SYSTEM/STORY</code> is the planetary system or world name
:* If you're referencing a story postscript, <code>SYSTEM/STORY</code> is the full story name or [[:Template:B|abbreviation]]
;General URL {{t|url ref}}
: Looks like: <code><nowiki>{{url ref |url= |text= |site= |date=}}</nowiki></code>, where:
:* <code>url=</code> should be followed with the link URL ("http://...")
:* <code>text=</code> should be followed with a description of the information
;17th Shard {{t|17s ref}}
: Looks like: <code><nowiki>{{17s ref |TYPE |ID |DESCRIPTION |date=}}</nowiki></code>, where:
:* <code>TYPE</code> is the type of content referenced: "post", "topic", "user", etc.
:* <code>ID</code> is the last unique number in the link
;Theoryland Interview Database {{t|qa ref}}
: Looks like: <code><nowiki>{{qa ref| INTERVIEW |QUESTION |DESCRIPTION |date=}}</nowiki></code>, where:
:* <code>INTERVIEW</code> is the interview number--the first number in the link
:* <code>QUESTION</code> is the question number
;Reddit {{t|reddit ref}}
: Looks like: <code><nowiki>{{reddit ref |SUBREDDIT |POST |COMMENT |text= |date=}}</nowiki></code>, where:
:* <code>SUBREDDIT</code> is the subreddit name (ommit the "/r/")
:* <code>POST</code> is the alphanumeric ID of the post--the first number in the link
;Twitter {{t|tweet ref}}
: Looks like: <code><nowiki>{{tweet ref |ID |DESCRIPTION |date=}}</nowiki></code>, where:
:* <code>ID</code> is the tweet ID number
:* <code>DESCRIPTION</code> is a description of the information
If you're going use a particular reference multiple times, you may find '''named references''' useful. Just include the additional parameter <code>|name=</code> in the reference template. Whenever you want to reuse that reference, you can omit all the other parameters besides <code>|name=</code>.
In fact, you can ''really'' keep the article clean by putting long reference templates directly in the Notes section. Instead of <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>, put all of your long citations (with names added) between <code><nowiki><references></nowiki></code> and <code><nowiki></references></nowiki></code> tags down in the Notes sectiom. Then you can call them out in the body of the article with the names alone!
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