Wiki Articles
Overview
A wiki article is a structured, collaborative document designed to present information in a clear, neutral, and verifiable way. Wiki articles are the fundamental building blocks of a wiki, a platform that allows multiple users to create, edit, and maintain content collectively.
Purpose of Wiki Articles
Wiki articles exist to:
- Document knowledge on a specific topic
- Provide factual, well-organized information
- Enable collaborative authorship and continuous improvement
- Serve as reference material rather than opinion pieces
Common Structure
Title
The title clearly identifies the subject of the article. It should be concise, unambiguous, and use commonly recognized terminology.
Lead Section
The lead section summarizes the topic and provides essential context, answering what the subject is, why it matters, and what key aspects are covered.
Body Sections
The main content is divided into sections and subsections, each addressing a specific aspect of the topic. Common sections include:
- History
- Background
- Features or characteristics
- Usage or applications
- Impact or significance
References and Sources
Reliable sources are used to support factual claims. References allow readers to verify information and ensure credibility.
Writing Style
Neutral Point of View
Wiki articles are written from a neutral perspective, avoiding opinionated or promotional language.
Verifiability
Information included in a wiki article should be backed by published, trustworthy sources.
Clarity and Accessibility
Content is written to be understandable to a broad audience, with technical terms explained when necessary.
Collaboration and Editing
Open Editing
Many wikis allow open editing, enabling contributors from around the world to improve and expand articles.
Revision History
Each change made to a wiki article is typically recorded, allowing users to review previous versions and track modifications.
Discussion Pages
Discussion pages provide a space for contributors to propose changes, debate content, and resolve disputes.
Maintenance and Evolution
Wiki articles are continuously updated as new information becomes available, errors are corrected, and community standards evolve.
Types of Wiki Articles
- Stub articles: Short entries that require expansion
- Featured articles: Comprehensive, high-quality entries
- Disambiguation pages: Pages that clarify multiple meanings
- List articles: Organized collections of related items
Conclusion
Wiki articles combine structured writing with collaborative editing to create a living body of knowledge. They are designed to be accurate, neutral, and adaptable over time.