Wikipedia: A Collaborative Encyclopedia You Can Edit

Wikipedia's English version boasts nearly 7 million pages, a testament to collaborative human effort. Users access information on diverse topics, from film plots and animal species to historical events and celebrity biographies. The sheer scale of information is impressive.

However, Wikipedia's unique strength lies not just in its vastness, but in its open-source nature. Anyone can contribute. This core principle remains central to its operation; simply start typing to begin editing.

While entry is easy, mastering effective contributions requires understanding key aspects, from change tracking to proper referencing. This guide unveils the often-overlooked nuances of Wikipedia editing.

Don't feel intimidated by the global scale of the project. Expertise isn't mandatory; even minor contributions are valuable. You don't need to create entirely new entries or delve into complex topics to make a difference.

Basic Editing

Editing is straightforward: locate the "Edit" button (top right of any article page) to add or modify text. The pen icon (also top right) toggles between "Visual editing" (WYSIWYG) and "Source editing" (plain text with formatting tags). Choose your preferred method; helpful prompts and a comprehensive editing guide are readily available on Wikipedia.

For edits beyond minor corrections (like typos), provide an explanation in the "Edit summary" box. Remember, edits are visible and reversible by other users. Review the "Talk" tab for past edits and discussions to understand the article's evolution.

If the "Edit" tab is absent, the page is locked by administrators, often due to controversial content or frequent vandalism. To suggest changes, use "View source" followed by "Submit an edit request."

While not mandatory, a Wikipedia account facilitates communication regarding your edits, tracks your contributions, and allows for profile creation. Account holders gain privileges like image uploads and new page creation. Explore Wikipedia's benefits page for a comprehensive list of advantages.

Advanced Editing Techniques

Once comfortable with basic edits, tackle more advanced tasks like proper referencing. Most facts require citations, enhancing credibility. In both visual and source editing modes, select the text, then click the "Cite" button. Detailed instructions are available on Wikipedia.

Wikipedia offers a list of reliable sources for citations, including reputable publications like The New York Times. While other sources are acceptable, using Wikipedia-approved sources minimizes potential edit conflicts.

Creating a new page requires a Wikipedia account. Search for your topic; if absent, you'll be prompted to create it. This involves linking to related articles, formatting, and section creation—detailed instructions are provided on Wikipedia. Note that senior editors may reject your topic if deemed unsuitable.

To add media (images, etc.), use the "Images and media" button (or the "Insert" menu in the visual editor). Use your own appropriately licensed photos, or search for royalty-free images. As with all edits, inappropriate additions may be reverted.

Contributing Effectively: Unique Tasks and Games

Wikipedia offers numerous contribution opportunities. Start with topics you're knowledgeable about, whether you're an expert or simply familiar with a specific subject. Your expertise directly impacts the value you bring.

Consider "adopting" typos. Regularly search for common misspellings and correct them to improve article readability. While less glamorous, this task significantly enhances the user experience.

To add citations or verify facts, tackle the list of articles with unsourced statements. Alternatively, play the "Citation Hunt" game: find a citation for an unsourced snippet or rephrase the text to eliminate the need for a citation.

Expand Wikipedia stubs (short articles). A dedicated list facilitates selection. Finally, for those with a keen eye for detail, copy-edit articles needing improvement. Numerous avenues exist for productive contributions.

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