Summary of Characteristics of Target Articled
editAn article between B and GA quality levels will have no obvious issues (e.g., bias, inaccuracy) and will otherwise be accurate and well supported by verifiable citations and references. While the article need not be expert level, it will be mostly complete and generally well written. A good article must go through a nomination process whereas a B grade article does not.
Good Article
editA good article meets good article criteria. Good articles rank between B class articles and featured articles. A good article also makes it through a nomination process. In general, good articles:
- Are overall of high quality, although not professional
- Are generally complete, well rounded, and neutral
- Have a writing style is accessible and well-crafted
- Present accurate and verifiable information
- Are well supported and illustrated appropriately
B Grade Article
editA B grade article is for the most part complete, however, for experts it may come up short in terms of the completeness of the content and/or the professionalism of the style. Wikipedia recommends that an expert supplement or improve on a B grade article, for example, by adding supporting material or explanation. Otherwise a B grade article is not noticeably lacking for the average reader and is mostly satisfactory. In brief, a B grade article is far from a professional encyclopedia entry but is still useful to most people. There is room for improving a B grade article that does not require an expert level of knowledge to enhance the entry.
The Five Pillars of Wikipedia Summarized
editThis is my personal summary of the fundamental principles by which Wikipedia operates, or its five pillars as they are called:
1. Compendium of Knowledge
editWikipedia is a compendium of knowledge organized by subject into articles or entries which are made accessible either by an index and/or searchable database available on the World Wide Web. In the spirit of encyclopedias, Wikipedia seeks produce ordered, supported, and authoritative information about its subjects. Therefore, Wikipedia is not a random storehouse, clearinghouse, or directory of unstructured information.[1]
2. Strives for Neutrality
editWikipedia strives for neutrality in the treatment of its subjects. That is, information presented from a single point of view which contradicts or antagonizes another at the expense of providing comprehensive and balanced coverage will be viewed as biased and either be removed or minimized. To avoid minimization, Wikipedia encourages that a range of view points be fully represented, provided they are supported by fact and not opinion.[2]
3. Libre But Not Gratis
editProvided those who contribute to Wikipedia (a) do not to copy directly from other sources in any amount that exceeds fair use as defined by copyright laws and (b) provide accurate citations and avoid direct quotation from other sources, contributions to Wikipedia are free modify, use, and distribute. This assumes that the Wikipedia community will police itself. The content of Wikipedia is therefore free like speech not like beer. [3]
4. Choose Civility
editWikipedia adopts the principle of respectful persons, that is, the idea that courtesy and civility are essential values that must be upheld in order to have an ordered and good society.[4] In practical terms this means being polite, caring about the feelings of others, avoiding rude or antagonistic behavior, and assuming that others have good intentions unless or until unequivocal evidence is presented to the contrary. Rudeness is disruptive to the goals of building Wikipedia, so choose civility.[5]
5. Evolve and Be Bold
editWikipedia is an evolving resource that reflects the norms and values of its community. Norms and values change over time, as do the rules that make up the code of conduct and conventions for editing Wikipedia. Wikipedia does not seek to regulate to the point of suppression and thus makes it clear that exceptions are frequent and mistakes are not costly because all previous versions are saved. Therefore, contributors to Wikipedia should be bold in their expression and resist behavior that may chill the boldness of others.[6]
Notes
edit- ^ Schwab, Jean le Rond d'Alembert ; translated by Richard N. Schwab with the collaboration of Walter E. Rex ; with an introduction by Richard N. (1995). Preliminary discourse to the Encyclopedia of Diderot. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226134765.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link). - ^ Linell, Per (2005). The written language bias in linguistics : its nature, origins, and transformations. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-0415349925..
- ^ Gratis versus libre, a Wikipedia article discussing the distinction between divergent meanings of the word "free" (i.e., "for zero price" or gratis v. "with little or no restriction" or libre).
- ^ Cranor, Carl (1975). "Toward a Theory of Respect for Persons". American Philosophical Quarterly. 12 (4).
- ^ Forni, P.M. (2003). Choosing civility : the twenty-five rules of considerate conduct (1st St. Martin's Griffin ed. ed.). New York, N.Y.: St. Martin's Griffin. ISBN 978-0312302504.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help). - ^ Boldness, Wikipedia article discussing the virtue of boldness.