Many people are curious about how Wikipedia articles are edited. The website relies heavily on its volunteer editors, and updates frequently throughout the month. Wikipedia is also widely used on mobile devices, so it relies on editors hunched over keyboards to discuss changes or write articles with special markup code. This article will outline the process of how to edit an article. And, of course, it will explain how to declare a conflict of interest.
Creating a new wikipedia page
Before you start writing your article, you should do your research. Consider the categories of the topic, the historical period it falls under, and any academic aspects. For example, if you’re writing about a particular food, be sure to include publications and supporting arguments. Read the guidelines on Wikipedia, and consider whether the subject is truly worthy of a page. Once you’ve gathered the necessary information, you’re ready to start writing.
Creating a new Wikipedia page is easy – just visit Wikipedia and access the titles of the pages that interest you. Click on the red links that indicate non-existence, or blue links that link to a page that exists. After you’ve done this, you’ll be redirected to a blank page where you can write the page. Once you’re done, click the “Publish changes” button to publish your edits.
Using a visual editor or code to edit wikipedia articles
If you want to edit articles on Wikipedia but are not familiar with the markup language, you may want to use a visual editor. This type of editing software enables you to make changes without writing any code. There are several advantages of using this type of editor. The visual editor allows you to edit many different types of pages. The new features make it easier for even the least computer-savvy person to contribute to Wikipedia.
There are two types of editing tools on Wikipedia: VisualEditor and Source Editor. VisualEditor allows you to change the text on the screen while a source editor lets you see the Wikicode underneath the article. If you use the Visual Editor, adding text, citing sources, linking to other Wikipedia articles, and formatting articles is much easier than using code. However, you must use wikitext code to interact with other Wikipedians.
Format for references in wikipedia articles
There are several different formats to cite a source in a Wikipedia article. The most commonly used format is the full citation. It fully identifies the source and usually includes the page number. Wikipedia articles must also include a reference desk or “Citation Needed” information page. A substantive edit should reflect consensus on the proper format. Below is an example of an MLA 8th edition citation for a Wikipedia article.
References are a key factor in Wikipedia articles, as Wikipedia editors use them to determine notability. They accept sources that are credible. It is a good idea to look at existing high-quality company pages on the site, and try to avoid copying them. While Wikipedia has many good articles, it also has plenty of low-quality articles. That’s why it’s important to use reliable sources and avoid copying your competitor’s page.
Declaring a conflict of interest on wikipedia
The best way to handle a conflict of interest on Wikipedia is to disclose it, and follow the guidelines for the topic. Generally, minor conflicts do not prevent a person from editing a page related to their own. More serious conflicts of interest should be avoided, however. If the conflict is too close to the topic to be a mere coincidence, the person should avoid editing it. A third party should be brought in to make changes or to complete a new article, depending on whether the conflict is not too serious.
If you have an interest in a topic and feel that you must write about it, you can declare it on the discussion page or on the Conflict of Interest Noticeboard. Make sure you notify the editor in question that you’ve posted your concern on the page. You can also present edits that relate to your concerns to the COIN. Once your disclosure has been made, administrators will use appropriate Wikipedia tools to determine whether an editor violated the policy.