Editing Battlestar Wiki:Perfect stub article
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# Give a clear, precise [[Wikipedia:definition|definition]] or description of your topic. Avoid [[Wikipedia:fallacies of definition|fallacies of definition]]. For biographies and articles about non-concepts (e.g., about planets and ships), definitions are impossible, so begin with a clear, helpful, informative description of the subject. State what a person is noted for, where a place is and what it is known for, the basic details of an event and when it happened, etc. A good definition or description may encourage potential contributors by suggesting the limits of the article, indirectly summarizing what needs to be done. For example, '''''President Adar''' was the last president of the [[12 Colonies]] prior to the Cylon Holocaust'' would be a good description. | # Give a clear, precise [[Wikipedia:definition|definition]] or description of your topic. Avoid [[Wikipedia:fallacies of definition|fallacies of definition]]. For biographies and articles about non-concepts (e.g., about planets and ships), definitions are impossible, so begin with a clear, helpful, informative description of the subject. State what a person is noted for, where a place is and what it is known for, the basic details of an event and when it happened, etc. A good definition or description may encourage potential contributors by suggesting the limits of the article, indirectly summarizing what needs to be done. For example, '''''President Adar''' was the last president of the [[12 Colonies]] prior to the Cylon Holocaust'' would be a good description. | ||
# Try to give more than just a definition — at least a little more. It doesn't hurt to be provocative, as long as you attempt to be [[Wikipedia:neutral point of view|unbiased]] and reasonably accurate. What is interesting and important about the subject? If your introduction would make someone want to read further, then it will probably entice someone to write further. As little as one extra sentence can turn a good description into a brilliant stub, e.g. '''''President Adar''' was the final president of the 12 Colonies prior to the Cylon Holocaust. His confidant was the impromptu traitor Gaius Baltar, who indirectly caused his murder, and Laura Roslin's ascension to the presidency.'' With a start like that, you don't have to know any more yourself; a dozen contributors will be falling over themselves to fill in the details. | # Try to give more than just a definition — at least a little more. It doesn't hurt to be provocative, as long as you attempt to be [[Wikipedia:neutral point of view|unbiased]] and reasonably accurate. What is interesting and important about the subject? If your introduction would make someone want to read further, then it will probably entice someone to write further. As little as one extra sentence can turn a good description into a brilliant stub, e.g. '''''President Adar''' was the final president of the 12 Colonies prior to the Cylon Holocaust. His confidant was the impromptu traitor Gaius Baltar, who indirectly caused his murder, and Laura Roslin's ascension to the presidency.'' With a start like that, you don't have to know any more yourself; a dozen contributors will be falling over themselves to fill in the details. | ||
# Make sure any relevant linkable words have been linked. But be careful about which words you link to; see [[Wikipedia:naming conventions|naming conventions]]. e.g. '''''President Adar''' was the final president of the [[12 Colonies]] prior to the [[Cylon Holocaust]]. A notable | # Make sure any relevant linkable words have been linked. But be careful about which words you link to; see [[Wikipedia:naming conventions|naming conventions]]. e.g. '''''President Adar''' was the final president of the [[12 Colonies]] prior to the [[Cylon Holocaust]]. A notable acquaintence of his was the impromptu traitor [[Gaius Baltar]], who indirectly caused his murder, and [[Laura Roslin]]'s ascension to the presidency.'' | ||
# Submit the article with a Summary comment that will attract the attention of others to your stub. If nothing else, cut and paste the stub itself into the Summary field when you save your article. | # Submit the article with a Summary comment that will attract the attention of others to your stub. If nothing else, cut and paste the stub itself into the Summary field when you save your article. | ||
# Feel some responsibility for your stub article. There is a fine line between helping by outlining out what needs to be done, and being annoying by not doing anything yourself. If nobody contributes to your stub for a few weeks, roll up your sleeves and expand it yourself. Take the fact that nobody has contributed as a hint that your stub might not have been that great, and if nothing else, try to make it a better stub. | # Feel some responsibility for your stub article. There is a fine line between helping by outlining out what needs to be done, and being annoying by not doing anything yourself. If nobody contributes to your stub for a few weeks, roll up your sleeves and expand it yourself. Take the fact that nobody has contributed as a hint that your stub might not have been that great, and if nothing else, try to make it a better stub. | ||