How to Write a Wikipedia Article: A Comprehensive Guide
Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, is a vast repository of knowledge, collaboratively built and maintained by volunteers worldwide. Contributing to Wikipedia by writing or editing articles is a rewarding way to share your expertise and help make information accessible to everyone. However, writing a Wikipedia article is not as simple as writing a blog post. It requires adhering to specific guidelines, policies, and a neutral point of view. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, from initial research to final publication.
## I. Understanding Wikipedia’s Core Principles
Before diving into the writing process, it’s crucial to understand the fundamental principles that govern Wikipedia. These principles ensure the encyclopedia’s reliability, neutrality, and accessibility.
* **Neutral Point of View (NPOV):** This is arguably the most important principle. All articles must be written from a neutral perspective, representing all significant viewpoints fairly and without bias. Avoid expressing your own opinions or promoting a particular agenda. Instead, present information objectively and attribute claims to reliable sources.
* **Verifiability:** All information included in a Wikipedia article must be verifiable by citing reliable sources. This means providing citations to published books, academic journals, reputable news articles, or other credible sources. Original research, personal opinions, and unsourced claims are not allowed.
* **No Original Research (NOR):** Wikipedia is not a platform for publishing original research or novel ideas. All content must be based on existing knowledge that has already been published in reliable sources. Avoid synthesizing information from multiple sources to create new arguments or conclusions.
* **Notability:** A topic must be notable to warrant its own Wikipedia article. This means that the topic has received significant coverage in reliable sources independent of the subject. Notability guidelines vary depending on the subject area, but generally, the more in-depth and widespread the coverage, the stronger the case for notability.
* **What Wikipedia is Not:** It’s also important to understand what Wikipedia is *not*. It’s not a dictionary, a how-to guide, a soapbox, a personal website, or a place to promote yourself or your company.
## II. Assessing Notability and Finding Sources
Before investing time in writing an article, it’s essential to determine whether the topic meets Wikipedia’s notability criteria and whether sufficient reliable sources are available.
**1. Preliminary Research:**
* **Wikipedia Search:** Begin by searching Wikipedia to see if an article on the topic already exists. If it does, consider contributing to the existing article instead of creating a new one. You can also check for redirects to related topics.
* **Google Search:** Conduct a thorough Google search to identify potential sources. Look for books, academic journals, reputable news articles, and other credible sources that provide significant coverage of the topic.
* **Google Scholar:** Use Google Scholar to find scholarly articles and research papers related to the topic. These sources are often highly reliable and can provide in-depth information.
* **Library Databases:** Explore library databases such as JSTOR, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost to access a wide range of academic journals and other scholarly resources.
**2. Evaluating Sources:**
* **Reliability:** Assess the reliability of each source. Consider the author’s expertise, the publisher’s reputation, and the source’s editorial policies. Avoid using unreliable sources such as personal blogs, self-published websites, and sources with a clear bias.
* **Independence:** Look for sources that are independent of the subject. This means that the source should not be affiliated with the subject or have a vested interest in promoting it. Independent sources provide a more objective perspective.
* **Significant Coverage:** Ensure that the sources provide significant coverage of the topic. Brief mentions or passing references are not sufficient to establish notability. The sources should discuss the topic in detail and provide substantial information.
**3. Assessing Notability:**
* **General Notability Guideline (GNG):** The GNG states that a topic is presumed to be notable if it has received significant coverage in reliable sources that are independent of the subject.
* **Subject-Specific Guidelines:** Wikipedia also has subject-specific notability guidelines for various topics, such as biographies, organizations, and creative works. Consult these guidelines to determine whether your topic meets the relevant criteria.
If you cannot find sufficient reliable sources or if the topic does not meet the notability criteria, it is unlikely that your article will be accepted on Wikipedia. In this case, you may want to consider writing about a different topic or contributing to an existing article.
## III. Creating a Wikipedia Account and Sandbox
Once you have determined that your topic is notable and you have gathered sufficient sources, the next step is to create a Wikipedia account and familiarize yourself with the editing environment.
**1. Creating an Account:**
* Go to the Wikipedia website ([https://www.wikipedia.org/](https://www.wikipedia.org/)).
* Click on the “Create account” link in the upper right corner of the page.
* Fill out the registration form with a username, password, and email address. It is recommended to choose a username that is professional and does not reveal your personal identity.
* Complete the CAPTCHA and click on the “Create account” button.
**2. Using the Sandbox:**
* The sandbox is a safe space where you can practice editing and experiment with formatting without affecting live articles. To access your sandbox, click on your username in the upper right corner of the page and then click on the “Sandbox” link.
* Use the sandbox to draft your article and familiarize yourself with Wikipedia’s editing tools and formatting guidelines.
## IV. Structuring Your Article
A well-structured article is easier to read and navigate. Follow these guidelines to create a clear and organized structure:
**1. Lead Section:**
* The lead section is the first paragraph of the article and provides a concise overview of the topic. It should summarize the most important information from the article and entice readers to continue reading.
* The lead section should typically be no more than four paragraphs long.
* The first sentence should clearly define the topic.
* Include key keywords and phrases in the lead section to improve search engine optimization.
**2. Body Sections:**
* Divide the body of the article into logical sections with clear and descriptive headings.
* Each section should focus on a specific aspect of the topic.
* Use subheadings to further organize the content within each section.
* Maintain a neutral point of view throughout the article and cite reliable sources for all information.
**3. Conclusion (Optional):**
* A conclusion is not always necessary, but it can be helpful to summarize the main points of the article and provide a final perspective on the topic.
* Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.
**4. See Also Section:**
* Include a “See also” section to link to other relevant Wikipedia articles.
* This section helps readers explore related topics and navigate the encyclopedia.
**5. References Section:**
* The “References” section lists all the sources cited in the article.
* Use consistent citation formatting throughout the article.
* Include complete bibliographic information for each source, including the author, title, publisher, date, and URL (if applicable).
**6. Further Reading Section (Optional):**
* The “Further reading” section lists additional resources that readers may find helpful, even if they are not cited in the article.
* These resources should be reliable and relevant to the topic.
**7. External Links Section:**
* The “External links” section provides links to external websites that are relevant to the topic.
* Only include links to official websites or websites that provide substantial additional information.
* Avoid linking to personal blogs, commercial websites, or websites with unreliable information.
## V. Writing Style and Tone
Wikipedia has a specific writing style and tone that you should adhere to in your articles. This helps ensure consistency and readability.
* **Neutral Point of View (NPOV):** As mentioned earlier, maintaining a neutral point of view is crucial. Avoid expressing your own opinions or promoting a particular agenda. Instead, present information objectively and attribute claims to reliable sources.
* **Formal Tone:** Use a formal and professional tone in your writing. Avoid using slang, jargon, or colloquialisms.
* **Clear and Concise Language:** Write in clear and concise language that is easy to understand. Avoid using overly complex sentences or technical terms that may not be familiar to all readers.
* **Grammar and Spelling:** Ensure that your writing is free of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Proofread your article carefully before submitting it.
* **Avoid First-Person Pronouns:** Avoid using first-person pronouns (I, me, my, we, us, our) in your writing. Wikipedia articles should be written from an objective perspective.
* **Avoid Overlinking:** Link to other Wikipedia articles only when it is necessary to provide context or clarify unfamiliar terms. Avoid overlinking common words or phrases.
## VI. Citing Sources
Properly citing sources is essential for maintaining verifiability and avoiding plagiarism. Wikipedia uses inline citations to link claims to their sources.
**1. Inline Citations:**
* Use inline citations to cite all factual claims, statistics, and quotations in your article.
* Inline citations are typically placed at the end of the sentence or phrase that they support.
* Wikipedia supports several citation styles, including the use of footnotes.
**2. Footnotes:**
* Footnotes are the most common type of inline citation used on Wikipedia.
* To create a footnote, place the citation within `` tags.
* For example: `This is a factual claim.Smith, John (2023). ”The History of Wikipedia”. New York: Academic Press.`
**3. Citation Templates:**
* Wikipedia provides a variety of citation templates to help you format your citations consistently.
* These templates include fields for the author, title, publisher, date, and URL of the source.
* To use a citation template, type `{{cite book}}`, `{{cite journal}}`, or `{{cite web}}` into the edit window and fill in the appropriate fields.
**4. Managing References:**
* Use the `
* Wikipedia will automatically generate a numbered list of the references based on the citations in the article.
## VII. Creating and Submitting Your Article
Once you have drafted your article in your sandbox and are satisfied with its content and formatting, you can submit it for review.
**1. Moving Your Article to the Mainspace:**
* The mainspace is the main area of Wikipedia where articles are published.
* To move your article from your sandbox to the mainspace, you can either create a new article with the same name as your sandbox page or request that an administrator move the page for you.
* To create a new article, type the name of your article into the search box and click on the “Create the page on this wiki!” link.
* Then, copy and paste the content from your sandbox into the new article.
**2. Submitting Your Article for Review:**
* New articles are typically reviewed by experienced Wikipedia editors to ensure that they meet the encyclopedia’s standards.
* You can submit your article for review by adding the `{{subst:submit}}` template to the top of the article.
* This will notify reviewers that your article is ready for assessment.
**3. Dealing with Rejections:**
* It is not uncommon for new articles to be rejected during the review process.
* If your article is rejected, the reviewer will provide feedback explaining the reasons for the rejection.
* Carefully review the feedback and revise your article accordingly.
* You can then resubmit the article for review.
## VIII. Maintaining Your Article
Once your article is published, it is important to maintain it and keep it up to date. This includes:
* **Monitoring for Vandalism:** Regularly check your article for vandalism or other inappropriate edits.
* **Updating Information:** Keep the information in your article up to date by adding new information and correcting any inaccuracies.
* **Responding to Comments:** Respond to comments and suggestions from other editors on the article’s talk page.
* **Improving the Article:** Continuously look for ways to improve the article by adding more information, improving the writing style, and adding more sources.
## IX. Tips for Success
* **Start Small:** If you are new to Wikipedia, start by editing existing articles before attempting to create a new one. This will help you familiarize yourself with the editing environment and the encyclopedia’s policies.
* **Be Patient:** Writing a Wikipedia article can be a time-consuming process. Be patient and persistent, and don’t get discouraged if your article is rejected initially.
* **Be Collaborative:** Wikipedia is a collaborative project. Be open to feedback from other editors and be willing to work with them to improve the article.
* **Follow the Guidelines:** Adhere to Wikipedia’s guidelines and policies. This will increase the likelihood that your article will be accepted and remain on the encyclopedia.
* **Ask for Help:** If you are unsure about something, don’t hesitate to ask for help from other editors. The Wikipedia community is generally welcoming and supportive.
## X. Conclusion
Writing a Wikipedia article can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By understanding Wikipedia’s core principles, conducting thorough research, and following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can contribute to the world’s largest encyclopedia and help make information accessible to everyone. Remember to be patient, collaborative, and persistent, and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way. Good luck!