The list below was written by RexxS. I am very grateful for it.
- Is the article/image/other page such an obvious candidate for deletion that WP:Speedy deletion would apply to it? There are 13 general-, 8 article-, and 11 file-related criteria (as well as 2 for redirects, 2 for categories, 2 for templates 2 for portals, and 4 for user pages) that you need to understand.
- If YES: then add the relevant speedy deletion template to the page and notify the author/uploader of that page/image and any major contributors.
- if NO:
- Is it an article that is biography of a living person, and has no sources?
- If YES: then propose the article for deletion by adding a BLPprod tag as explained at Wikipedia:Proposed deletion of biographies of living people.
- If NO:
- Is it a mainspace article, list or dab page, and would the page's deletion be uncontroversial to any uninvolved editor? You also need to check that it hasn't been proposed for deletion before.
- if YES: then propose the page for deletion by adding a prod tag as explained at Wikipedia:Proposed deletion.
- if NO:
- Propose the page for deletion at WP:Articles for deletion (AfD) for articles, WP:Templates for discussion (TfD) for templates, WP:Categories for discussion (CfD) for categories, WP:Redirects for discussion (RfD) for redirects, WP:Files for discussion (FfD) for images/media, or WP:Miscellany for deletion (MfD) for other stuff. There are more detailed instructions at each of those pages, and step-by-step guidance for AfD at WP:AFDHOWTO.
- The CSD nomination can be automated by using the 'csd' Twinkle tab.
- The PROD nomination can be automated by using the 'prod' Twinkle tab.
- The AFD/etc. nomination can be automated by using the 'xfd' Twinkle tab.