- Write only factual information.
- Give concrete advice, rather than abstract.
- Make editing and elaboration easier by avoiding the use of "I" where possible (except in your WikiHomePage).
- Write and sign first-person accounts when reporting experiences and opinions not easily reduced to facts or objective advice.
- Place words where they are easy to read; this is not always at the bottom, but they should not be placed before the "OpeningStatement".
- Respect the freedom you have been given.
- Edit pages to emphasize the flow of ideas, not the order in which they were contributed.
- Be concise and stay OnTopic for the page.
- Use language you'd be comfortable reading out loud - use versus utilize - and keep it simple. Simple language often communicates better.
- Check for spelling and grammar errors - errors detract from the content.
- Edit only when you think a page is lacking - don't just sign your name at the bottom of every page.
- Delete only if doing so adds value.
- Remember, if you want a nice page, make one.
- Don't say things that are likely to make others mad. Practice civility and understatement.
- Above all, be good, and play nice!
The following additional points are true, useful and relevant, but are not specifically about style:
- The server has very simple TextFormattingRules. Start each line without spaces, and separate paragraphs with a blank line. You can run capitalized words together to make WikiLinks.
- Use HorizontalSeparators to make things easier to read. Lots of different comments with no separation can otherwise be confusing.
- As a visitor to this site or editor of this page, you have some responsibility; the responsibility is "Spirit of Freedom and Spirit of Quality". Everybody can contribute constructively by not contributing when he/she doesn't have anything to contribute. Learn what John Cage didn't.
Write only factual information.
- How does someone distinguish between fact and theory, between opinion and authority? See MostHolyWarsTiedToPsychology and DisciplineEnvy. Personal opinion is unavoidable, but that does not absolve you from aiming for objectivity.
- Writing in the past tense helps some of us to stick to the facts. :-) Writing without past or future tense (i.e., in the NOW) helps the truth come out. :-)
- NeverWriteRecently: stick to WikiNow.
See
TheElementsOfStyle GoodStyleSuggestions TextFormattingRules WikiEditingCustoms,
IamaStrangeLoop, GoodStyleEspanol
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CategoryWikiHelp CategoryInteraction