Wikipedia:List of guidelines
There are a vast number of guidelines on Wikipedia. It is recommended to review these guidelines whenever in doubt on Wikipedia. This list is currently far from comprehensive. See Category:Wikipedia guidelines
Guidelines
General
For other useful tips, see avoiding common mistakes.
Content
- Don't include copies of primary sources: Don't copy lengthy poems, speeches or other source text into Wikipedia. Put them in Wikisource if you need to.
- Disambiguation: If an article's name is very similar to another, make a note at the top. If many articles share a name, create a disambiguation page.
- Guide to writing better articles
- Deal appropriately with patent nonsense
- Cite sources: point the reader to authoritative references (and list them properly)
refers to others' ability to confirm it exists and is as stated)
- Avoid statements that will date quickly
- Warn readers about spoilers
- Check your facts
- Guidelines for using Talk pages
- Avoid inappropriate expressions
Classification
- Subpages: Don't use slashes (/) in the names of articles to create subpages.
- Choosing appropriate grouping technique(s): Categories, lists, and series boxes
- By grouping technique:
- Lists
- Categories, and other articles in Category:Wikipedia categorization
- Series boxes (or: navigational templates)
Editing
- Editing policy: Improve any page without hesitation, regardless of the state you leave it in. Avoid removing information wherever possible.
- Build the web: Link articles sideways to neighbours, and upwards to categories and contexts to create a useful web of information.
- Edit summary: Always type at least a brief summary of the change that you made in the Edit Summary box. Avoid misleading summaries.
Discussion
- Talk page guidelines
- Sign your posts on talk pages: Sign all your posts on Wikipedia talk pages by typing ~~~~ to be accountable and to help others understand the conversation.
Behavior
- Don't disrupt Wikipedia to illustrate a point:By all means state your point. But don't spam Wikipedia, disingenously nominate articles for deletion, push rules to their limits or otherwise create work for other people just to "prove your point".
- Sign your posts on talk pages
- Avoid profanity
- Be accountable
- Don't bite the newcomers
- Don't create articles about yourself
- Use your user pages appropriately
- Use common sense
Style guidelines
- Manual of style
- Manual of Style (disambiguation pages)
- Guide to writing better articles
- See Category:Wikipedia style guidelines for the other 100+ style guidelines.