Help:References

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Here at Rationalwiki, we like sources.  The more sources, the better.  Showing your sources is relatively simple.
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Here at Rationalwiki, we like sources<ref>"Sources" are authoritative statements by (usually) third parties which corroborate the point made.</ref>
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.  The more sources, the better.  Showing your sources is relatively simple.
  
 
Let's use an example phrase:  All polar bears are left handed.
 
Let's use an example phrase:  All polar bears are left handed.
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References are usually to books or websites (though sometimes they're random afterthoughts<ref>like this</ref>).  When linking to a website, simply follow the same steps as you normally would. <ref>see [[Rationalwiki:Help/Links]]</ref>
 
References are usually to books or websites (though sometimes they're random afterthoughts<ref>like this</ref>).  When linking to a website, simply follow the same steps as you normally would. <ref>see [[Rationalwiki:Help/Links]]</ref>
  
The final step to references is showing them.  First, create a new section called References, using the coding "<nowiki>==References==</nowiki>".  The = signs create a new section.  Then insert the code <nowiki><references/></nowiki> on the next line to automatically create a list of everything coded with the "ref" tags..
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The final step to references is showing them.  First, create a new section<ref>[[RationalWiki:Help/Sections|About sections]]</ref>
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called References, using the coding: "<nowiki>==References==</nowiki>".  The = signs create a new section.  Then insert the code <nowiki><references/></nowiki> on the next line to automatically create a list of everything coded with the "ref" tags..
  
 
Sometimes, if there are "notes" rather than cites, we call the section <nowiki>==References and Notes==</nowiki>
 
Sometimes, if there are "notes" rather than cites, we call the section <nowiki>==References and Notes==</nowiki>
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One final thing.  If you click one of those little blue squares, you'll automatically be taken to the source at the bottom.  If you click an arrow at a source at the bottom, you'll automatically be taken back to where in the article it is referenced.
 
One final thing.  If you click one of those little blue squares, you'll automatically be taken to the source at the bottom.  If you click an arrow at a source at the bottom, you'll automatically be taken back to where in the article it is referenced.
  
One other final thing.  If you think someone put in an untrue fact that is unsourced, or a fact that is true and unsourced but could be sourced, or if you're not sure of yourself, add the template <nowiki>{{fact}}</nowiki>.  This will automatically create the following notation: {{fact}}.  It also puts it into the category of articles with unsourced statements.  Other diligent editors will then <s>ignore the article as being a bunch of made-up lies</s> hopefully look for ways to justify whatever the article claims.
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One other final thing.  If you think someone put in an untrue fact that is unsourced, or a fact that is true and unsourced but could be sourced, or if you're not sure of yourself, add the template<ref>A template is a page ''transcluded'' into the present article.</ref> <nowiki>{{fact}}</nowiki>.  This will automatically create the following notation: {{fact}}.  It also puts it into the category of articles with unsourced statements.  Other diligent editors will then <s>ignore the article as being a bunch of made-up lies</s> hopefully look for ways to justify whatever the article claims.
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==

Revision as of 11:59, 16 August 2007

Here at Rationalwiki, we like sources[1] . The more sources, the better. Showing your sources is relatively simple.

Let's use an example phrase: All polar bears are left handed.

To source this, you would use the tag <ref>...</ref> with your source taking up the "..."

So to get this: All polar bears are left handed,[2] your coding would look like this: All polar bears are left handed,<ref>Because I said so</ref>

References are usually to books or websites (though sometimes they're random afterthoughts[3]). When linking to a website, simply follow the same steps as you normally would. [4]

The final step to references is showing them. First, create a new section[5] called References, using the coding: "==References==". The = signs create a new section. Then insert the code <references/> on the next line to automatically create a list of everything coded with the "ref" tags..

Sometimes, if there are "notes" rather than cites, we call the section ==References and Notes==

One final thing. If you click one of those little blue squares, you'll automatically be taken to the source at the bottom. If you click an arrow at a source at the bottom, you'll automatically be taken back to where in the article it is referenced.

One other final thing. If you think someone put in an untrue fact that is unsourced, or a fact that is true and unsourced but could be sourced, or if you're not sure of yourself, add the template[6] {{fact}}. This will automatically create the following notation: [citation needed]. It also puts it into the category of articles with unsourced statements. Other diligent editors will then ignore the article as being a bunch of made-up lies hopefully look for ways to justify whatever the article claims.

See Also

References

  1. "Sources" are authoritative statements by (usually) third parties which corroborate the point made.
  2. Because I said so
  3. like this
  4. see Rationalwiki:Help/Links
  5. About sections
  6. A template is a page transcluded into the present article.
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