Help:New Article
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**it is customary for the '''first''' instance of the subject within the body of the article to be in bold type. Use three apostrophes before and after it to do this: <nowiki>'''word for bolding'''</nowiki>. | **it is customary for the '''first''' instance of the subject within the body of the article to be in bold type. Use three apostrophes before and after it to do this: <nowiki>'''word for bolding'''</nowiki>. | ||
*don't forget to include references <ref>[[RationalWiki:Help/Refs|References help]]</ref>. | *don't forget to include references <ref>[[RationalWiki:Help/Refs|References help]]</ref>. | ||
| + | *if your article is only a start on the subject and you believe that other input might help to improve it then include at the end: <nowiki>{{Stub}}</nowiki>. This will transclude (import) a box saying '''STUB''' and add it to the list of articles for expansion. | ||
*whenever possible you should put your article in a '''category'''. This is simple: add as many of these: <nowiki>[[category:</nowiki>''the relevant cat''<nowiki>]]</nowiki> as required, down the end of your page. A list of categories is at [[Special:Categories|Cat list]]. | *whenever possible you should put your article in a '''category'''. This is simple: add as many of these: <nowiki>[[category:</nowiki>''the relevant cat''<nowiki>]]</nowiki> as required, down the end of your page. A list of categories is at [[Special:Categories|Cat list]]. | ||
*links<ref>[[RationalWiki:Help/Links|All about links]] </ref> are good, for references and explanations but try to avoid links without valid targets, these are ''redlinks'' and are anathema. | *links<ref>[[RationalWiki:Help/Links|All about links]] </ref> are good, for references and explanations but try to avoid links without valid targets, these are ''redlinks'' and are anathema. | ||
Revision as of 15:19, 4 September 2007
Creationism is good - words that is.
So you want to create a new article?
First check that it doesn't already exist - search for the subject[1]. You'll probably find that there are related subjects already there which you could add a contribution to. Don't forget to check in other relevant namespaces by checking them in before re-searching[2]. If you still think that you have a valid article subject, decide where you want to put it then - STOP.
Read RW's standards and What is an RW article
Once you have read and absorbed the RW ethos (such as it is) you are ready to start:
- don't begin your first edit in a wiki edit box; use an editor or word processor.
- decide on a title
- this will be in large bold letters at the top of the page and also in any category you assign it to. So make sure it's relevant and spelled correctly. It'll take a sysop to mend it (sysops don't bite but you'll feel a little silly).
- only use capital letters where "required" - this makes the article title easier to link to if it occurs in text elsewhere. E.G. this help file should have been called "new article".
- if possible, make your article title singular.
- type your words of wisdom.
- it is customary for the first instance of the subject within the body of the article to be in bold type. Use three apostrophes before and after it to do this: '''word for bolding'''.
- don't forget to include references [3].
- if your article is only a start on the subject and you believe that other input might help to improve it then include at the end: {{Stub}}. This will transclude (import) a box saying STUB and add it to the list of articles for expansion.
- whenever possible you should put your article in a category. This is simple: add as many of these: [[category:the relevant cat]] as required, down the end of your page. A list of categories is at Cat list.
- links[4] are good, for references and explanations but try to avoid links without valid targets, these are redlinks and are anathema.
- remember: apart from the "Essay" namespace, once you've clicked that "Save page" button it's fair game for anyone to edit, so make it purrfect (sic) before you Select, Copy and Paste.
- the easiest way to create the page is to "search" for the title using "Go" and click on "create this page". (Make sure your title's pretty though.)
- once the edit box appears, click on it and Paste your masterpiece.
- Take note of the copyright © advice on the edit page[5]
- please click for a preview first, check and edit, repeat as often as it takes before finally clicking Save
- within seconds you'll have typo, spelling, grammar and general nerdy geeks landing on it. Don't worry that no-one actually reads it for a while, if it's any good (or really bad) the talk page should open up sometime during the next few hours and keep you occupied.
- forget not: unless it's an essay, once you've saved it, it's not yours any more , your baby's left home.
See Also
- ↑ how to search
- ↑ There is a category (Category:Articles needing expansion) which is added to articles in need of expansion i.e. where the subject would be improved by application of some (your?) expert knowledge
- ↑ References help
- ↑ All about links
- ↑ Copyright material is OK only if you have the copyright owner's explicit permission to reproduce. If you have this permission it must be included either in the body of the article or as a reference.