Wikipedia: The Missing Manual

Get the Wording Right

Wikipedia has a very large number of rules about wording, including spelling. Here’s the quick summary:

• All the standard rules about good writing apply. If you didn’t do well in English classes, don’t worry, since other editors will edit (and, generally, improve) what you write. You can consider working on parts of Wikipedia that put less emphasis on writing skills. Good writing—smoothly flowing, interesting, and informative—is one of Wikipedia’s goals, so it’s always appreciated. So is good copyediting (see WP:COPYEDIT).

• Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, not a soapbox. Opinions—even yours—come from knowing the facts, so the best thing you can do is let readers see those facts, and decide for themselves. If making a particular statement is really important to you, find an acceptable source that says it (that’s a fact), rather than saying it yourself (that’s a point of view). Neutral point of view WP:NPOV is a core content policy because Wikipedia is impossible without it. Content decisions can only be resolved by looking at documented facts, not by evaluating the rightness and wrongness of an editor’s point of view.

• Avoid words that subtly push a point of view. Wikipedia frowns upon using certain words to slant an article towards a particular point of view. If you’re unfamiliar with them, read the guidelines on peacock terms, words like “immensely” and “legendary” (WP:PEA); weasel words, phrases like “some people say” and “many ...