A good article has the following attributes.

1. It is well written. In this respect:
   • (a) it has compelling prose, and is readily comprehensible to a non-specialist reader;
   • (b) it follows a logical structure, introducing the topic and then grouping together its coverage of related aspects
   • (c) where appropriate—particularly for lengthier articles—it contains a succinct lead section summarising the topic, and the remaining text is segmented into a proper system of hierarchical sections;
   • (d) it follows the Wikipedia Manual of Style.
   • (e) where technical terms or necessary jargon appear, they are briefly explained in the article itself, or an active link is provided.
2. it is factually accurate and verifiable. In this respect:
   • (a) it provide references to any and all sources used for its material;
   • (b) the citation of its sources is essential, and the use of inline citations is desirabl, although not mandatory;
   • (c) sources should be selected in accordance with reliable sources guidelines;
   • (d) it contains no elements of original research.
3. It is broad in its coverage. In this respect:
   • (a) all major aspects of the topic are addressed (this requirement is slightly weaker than the comprehensiveness required by WP:FAC, and allows for shorter articles and very broad overviews of large topics to be listed);.
4. It adheres to the neutral point of view policy. In this respect:
   • (a) viewpoints are represented fairly and without bias;
   • (b) all significant points of view are fairly presented, but not asserted (particularly so where there are or have been conflicting views on the topic).
5. It is stable, i.e., it does not change significantly from day to day and is not the subject of ongoing edit wars.
6. It contains images. In this respect:
   • (a) where appropriate, the images are tagged and have succinct and descriptive captions;
   • (b) a lack of images does not in itself prevent an article from achieving Good Article status.

These criteria are very similar to the criteria for featured articles. However, they are written, and the good article review process is designed, primarily with short articles in mind, for which prose is less likely to reach the 'brilliant' standards required of featured articles, and in which inline referencing is not as important.

A good article may be any length, as long as it is able to properly address all the major aspects of the topic. However, authors might consider whether it is more appropriate to merge a very short article into a larger article. For articles longer than about 20Kb, the more rigorous reviewing of Wikipedia:Peer review and Wikipedia:Featured article candidates is more appropriate than the process here.

For articles dealing with fictional subjects, characters, objects, or locations, significance outside the "fictional universe" must be established and discussed, together with its process of authorship. The focus of the article should remain on discussing the subject as fiction within the context of "our" universe, not on establishing it as a "real" topic in a fictional universe; otherwise, the article may be better placed in one of the many fictional-universe specific wikis.