Here is where I have provided some editing suggestions for the contributions my students are making to Wikipedia.

Below I have added some sections on various topics, each beginning with its own sub-heading.

How to Create an Account

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Within Wikipedia click on "Create account" at the top right-hand corner of the page. Type in your relevant info. (user ID, password, etc.). Click the "Create" button at the top right-hand corner of the page (this will make your user page active, and is the step many people forget when they first create their user pages).

How to Create Sub-headings

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It is as simple as using "== TEXT ==" in "Edit" mode.

Note that once you have added a couple of sub-headings and sections, a "Contents" box will be generated automatically for you.

How to Format Text

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If you want a word to be in italics, use two single quotes before and after the word in "Edit" mode. If you want a word to be bold, use three single quotes before and after the word in "Edit" mode.

How to Create References

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Here is a very basic example of how to cite a reference; this happens to be to my very first peer-reviewed publication.[1]

Be sure to look at the formatting for the reference above in "Edit" mode. You should note that the superscript that refers to the reference is coded in the formatting in this section, but to display the reference itself I had to add a "References" section (to see that go to "Edit" mode for this entire page).

Note that if you are using the citation tool you first need to place "reflist" surrounded by double curly brackets in the desired location (see the "Edit" page for my "References" section in this sandbox for an example).

Additional Editing & Formatting Resources

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We are recommending that students select "Provelt" & "WikED" under "My Preferences" -- "Gadgets".

This is a link to Wikipedia's "cheat sheet": Cheat Sheet.

This is a link to Wikipedia formatting resources for our 2011 Conservation Biology course: Wikipedia Resources Linked to 2011 Conservation Biology Course.

This is a link to Wikipedia formatting resources for our 2012 Conservation Biology course: Wikipedia Resources Linked to 2012 Conservation Biology Course.

How to Search for Article Stubs

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In the search box in Wikipedia, type in "Category:Biology stubs" (don't use the quotes). This will lead you to article stubs; these might help you if you are having trouble finding a Hot Topic.

Also, searching "Category:Conservation Biology" will bring up a list of Conservation Biology articles, though they are not necessarily stubs.

How to Search for Particular Wikipedia Users

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Use "User:___" (in the search box in Wikipedia) to look for a particular user.

Help Pages

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Use "Help:___" (in the search box in Wikipedia) to locate help articles on the topic that fills in the blank, such as "Help:citing sources".

References

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  1. ^ Harms, Kyle E., Les D. Beletsky & Gordon H. Orians. 1991. Conspecific nest parasitism in three species of New World blackbirds. The Condor 93:967-974.