User:Kthapelo/Instructions

This page in a nutshell: Write original text for your article and provide reliable resources

This page is a set of directions on what kind of information needs to be gathered in order to begin creating a quality article on Wikipedia. While some information simply adds flavor to an article other information is critical without which a new article or addition to an existing article can have little hope of surviving. Each will be discussed below.

The Five Pillars

The fundamental principles of Wikipedia may be summarized in five "pillars":

Wikipedia is an encyclopedia

Wikipedia combines many features of general and specialized encyclopedias, almanacs, and gazetteers. Wikipedia is not a soapbox, an advertising platform, a social network, a vanity press, an experiment in anarchy or democracy, an indiscriminate collection of information, nor a web directory. It is not a dictionary, a newspaper, nor a collection of source documents, although some of its fellow Wikimedia projects are.

Wikipedia is written from a neutral point of view

We strive for articles with an impartial tone that document and explain major points of view, giving due weight for their prominence. We avoid advocacy, and we characterize information and issues rather than debate them. In some areas there may be just one well-recognized point of view; in others we describe multiple points of view, presenting each accurately and in context rather than as "the truth" or "the best view". All articles must strive for verifiable accuracy with citations based on reliable sources, especially when the topic is controversial or is about a living person. Editors' personal experiences, interpretations, or opinions do not belong on Wikipedia.

Wikipedia is free content that anyone can use, edit, and distribute

All editors freely license their work to the public, and no editor owns an article – any contributions can and may be mercilessly edited and redistributed. Respect copyright laws and never plagiarize from any sources. Borrowing non-free media is sometimes allowed as fair use, but editors should strive to find free alternatives first.

Wikipedia's editors should treat each other with respect and civility

Respect your fellow Wikipedians, even when you disagree. Apply Wikipedia etiquette, and do not engage in personal attacks or edit wars. Seek consensus, and never disrupt Wikipedia to illustrate a point. Act in good faith, and assume good faith on the part of others. Be open and welcoming to newcomers. Should conflicts arise, discuss them calmly on the appropriate talk pages, follow dispute resolution procedures, and consider that there are 6,929,510 other articles on the English Wikipedia to improve and discuss.

Wikipedia has no firm rules

Wikipedia has policies and guidelines, but they are not carved in stone; their content and interpretation can evolve over time. The principles and spirit matter more than literal wording, and sometimes improving Wikipedia requires making exceptions. Be bold, but not reckless, in updating articles. And do not agonize over making mistakes: they can be corrected easily because (almost) every past version of each article is saved.

Critical Information

Original Text

Write your own article. 250-500 words is a good Stub size. Original text will lend credence to your article. The official Wikipedia guideline states that:

Duplicating the work of others without credit, whether on purpose or by accident, brings both the duplicator and the publisher of the duplication into disrepute.

A useful encyclopedia cites its sources so that readers can check the material for themselves.
A credible encyclopedia does not silently present content copied from elsewhere as though it were original.
The silent inclusion of copied content may pose legal problems for readers who re-use Wikipedia content, even if the text is "public domain" in the United States, which governs Wikipedia. Whether or not something is copyright-free in some country depends on the laws of individual countries.
Subject matter experts may be discouraged from supporting or joining a project that fails to give credit to their work and that of their colleagues.

Reliable sources

In order for your article to be included in Wikipedia long term it has to show notability. One commonly excepted way of doing that is by referencing any mention of your chosen subject in newspapers, books, and magazines. For more information about what is considered a reliable source please see the Wikipedia guideline page.

Flavor Information

Pictures

Before uploading your own pictures please consider using some of the amazing pictures from Wikimedia Commons. If they don't have what you need over there you should be aware that Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. Any original pictures that you intend to use to flavor an article should be accompanied by a release from the Artist/ Photographer who provided the image.

A good example of a release would like this:

Dear Sir or Madam: I hereby assert that I am the creator and/or sole owner of the exclusive copyright of WORK “NAME OF PICTURE”.

I agree to publish that work under the free license Own work, all rights, released (Multi-license GFDL, CC-Y all versions).

I acknowledge that I grant anyone the right to use the work in a commercial product and to modify it according to their needs, provided that they abide by the terms of the license and any other applicable laws.

I am aware that I always retain copyright of my work, and retain the right to be attributed in accordance with the license chosen. Modifications others make to the work will not be attributed to me.

I acknowledge that I cannot withdraw this agreement, and that the content may or may not be kept permanently on a Wikimedia project.

Signature Date

NAME

Articles about people

General Biography

Please fill out the following general biography information to be included in a summary box on the right hand side of the article. For more fields please see the template page.

name =
image =
alt =
caption =
birth_name =
birth_date = Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD
birth_place =
death_date = Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD (death date then birth date
death_place =
nationality =
other_names =
known_for =
occupation =

Musicians

Please fill out the following musical biography information to be included in a summary box on the right hand side of the article. For more fields please see the template page.

For articles about individuals

name =
background = **Mandatory** Use one: solo_singer, non_vocal_instrumentalist, non_performing_personnel, or temporary
birth_name =
alias =
birth_date = birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD
birth_place =
origin =
death_date = death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD
death_place =
genre =
occupation =
instrument =
years_active = YYYY–YYYY (or –present)
label =
associated_acts =
website =
notable_instruments =

For articles about musical groups

name =
background = **Mandatory** Use one: group_or_band, cover_band, classical_ensemble, or temporary
alias =
origin =
genre =
years_active = start date|YYYY – end date|YYYY (or –present)
label =
associated_acts =
website =
current_members =
past_members =

Articles about businesses

Internet Businesses

Please fill out the following internet business information to be included in a summary box on the right hand side of the article. For more fields please see the template page.

company_name =
company_type =
foundation =
founder =
location =
area_served =
key_people =
products =
services =
owner =
num_employees =
company_slogan =
url =
alexa =
language =
launch_date =
current_status =
footnotes =

Brick and Morter

Please fill out the following business information to be included in a summary box on the right hand side of the article. For more fields please see the template page.

name =
type =
foundation =
founder =
location_city =
location_country =
area_served =
key_people =
industry =
owner =
num_employees =
homepage =