Skip to Main Content

Digitizing Women's Suffrage

Wikipedia Editathon

When: March 31st

Where: Palace Road Building (P113), Simmons University campus

Time: 10AM-4PM

RSVP here if possible, but drop-ins are welcome!

Bring laptops or other devices

Snacks will be provided

Schedule to come

 

Official Editathon Page

Wikipedia 101

1. Create an account
2. Add your name to the Sign Up and Guest List
3. Make sure you know how to edit Wikpedia pages (take a look at our cheat sheets, too!)
4. Pick a topic to work on (check the white board to make sure someone else isn't already working on it)
5. Look at ideas for what to edit on Wikipedia articles
6. Watch a video if you get stuck
7. Do your research by looking at books, looking for articles, etc.
8. Ask Laura, Jess or other librarians for help!

What makes an article good? Here are some criteria from Wikipedia:

  1. Well written: the prose is clear and concise, and the spelling and grammar are correct; and it complies with the manual of style guidelines for lead sections, layout, words to watch, fiction, and list incorporation.

  2. Verifiable with no original research:it contains a list of all references (sources of information), presented in accordance with the layout style guideline; all inline citations are from reliable sources, including those for direct quotations, statistics, published opinion, counter-intuitive or controversial statements that are challenged or likely to be challenged, and contentious material relating to living persons—science-based articles should follow the scientific citation guidelines; t contains no original research; and it contains no copyright violations nor plagiarism.

  3. Broad in its coverage: it addresses the main aspects of the topic; and it stays focused on the topic without going into unnecessary detail (see summary style).

  4. Neutral: it represents viewpoints fairly and without editorial bias, giving due weight to each.

  5. Stable: it does not change significantly from day to day because of an ongoing edit war or content dispute.

  6. Illustrated, if possible, by media such as images, video, or audio: media are tagged with their copyright statuses, and valid fair use rationales are provided for non-free content; and media are relevant to the topic, and have suitable captions.