CompFAQ/WritDM/Wikipedia Training

Technical Writing in the Digital Age: Wikipedia Editing and Collaborative Writing

Directions: For each lesson below, follow all links and read them carefully. All assigned readings not linked may be found on my server or in your assigned textbook. See your individual syllabus for due dates and additional instructions. Nothing needs to be done with resources, but they are added for your reference.

 note: While this course discusses Wikipedia specifically, your class may be working on LitWiki, but most of the theory and practice about Wikipedia will apply to LW. If your course does use the latter, you may still want to have an account on both.

1: Introduction to Wikipedia and MediaWiki

Understanding Wikipedia, its history, and its significance in the digital age.

• Readings:
  • “Writing on a Wiki” — contains an introduction and helpful links.
  • Help:Introduction
  • Wikipedia:Contributing to Wikipedia
  • Wikipedia:A primer for newcomers
  • “A Nupedia” — chapter 2 of Lih (2009).
• Resources:
  • Is there a how-to manual for WP?
  • Does WP have a help page?
  • The Teahouse
• To Do: Activate your wiki account and post a short bio on your user page. Include a photo if you want and include a link to your web site, if applicable. Remember what your persona is on the wiki and only provide details that support it. In other words: this is not a Facebook profile. (You might have a look at Broughton (2008), chapter 3).
• Optional Post: Write a short reflection on the role of Wikipedia in the digital era and its impact on information dissemination. (#wiki)

2: Wikipedia’s Core Principles

Explore Wikipedia's core principles, including neutrality, verifiability, and reliable sourcing.

• Readings:
  • “Editing Wikipedia.”
  • Wikipedia's core content policies (Neutral point of view, Verifiability, No original research).
• Resources:
  • Wikipedia:General reading list
• Optional Post: Analyze and critique a Wikipedia article based on the core principles discussed.

3: Collaborative Writing and Wiki Markup

Introduction to collaborative writing on Wikipedia, understanding wiki markup, and basic editing.

• Readings:
  • Wikipedia:Ten simple rules for editing Wikipedia
  • Wikipedia:Manual of Style.
  • “Editing for the First Time” — chapter 1 in Broughton (2008).
• Resources:
  • Help:Editing
  • Wikipedia Cheatsheet.
• To Do: Edit an existing Wikipedia (or LitWiki) article by correcting grammar, adding citations, or improving formatting.

4: Writing with a Neutral Point of View (NPOV)

Exploration of the NPOV policy, recognizing bias, and writing from a neutral perspective.

• Readings:
  • Wikipedia’s NPOV policy.
  • "Writing for the Wikipedia audience" by J. M. Reagle Jr.
• Assignment: Rewrite a section of a Wikipedia article to adhere to the NPOV policy. (See Category:Articles with minor POV problems.)

5: Sourcing and Citations

The importance of reliable sourcing, citing academic and reputable references, and avoiding original research.

• Readings:
  • “Verifiability” and “Reliable sources” sections from Wikipedia's Verifiability policy.
  • “Citing Wikipedia” guidelines.
  • Wikipedia:Notability.
  • Wikipedia Sourcing.
  • “Documenting Your Sources” — chapter 2 in Broughton (2008).
• Resources:
  • Help:Referencing for beginners.
  • Introduction to Referencing (Good overview).
  • Wikipedia:Citation templates
• To Do: Add a citation to your course’s collaborative wiki project.

6: Talk Pages and Collaboration

Effective use of Wikipedia's talk pages for discussions and collaboration with other editors.

• Readings:
  • Wikipedia’s guidelines on “Talk pages.”
  • Introduction to Talk Pages.
  • Help:Talk pages.
  • Signing your talk page posts.
  • “Communicating with Your Fellow Editors” — chapter 8 in Broughton (2008).
• To Do: Engage in a discussion your collaborative article's talk page (see you syllabus), resolving an editing dispute or suggesting improvements.

7: Creating a Wikipedia Article

Applying the knowledge gained throughout the course to collaboratively write a new Wikipedia article.

• Readings:
  • Review Wikipedia's guidelines on creating new articles.
  • “Wikipedia Article Improvement.”
  • “Creating a New Article” — chapter 4 in Broughton (2008).
• To Do: Students will choose a topic related to technical writing, research, and write a new Wikipedia (or LitWiki) article following Wikipedia’s content guidelines. (See ENGL 5106/Collaborative Wiki Project.)

Bibliography

The following texts are available either on Archive.org (the linked sources) or in the ENGL 5106 Library on my server (see D2L for the password).

• Broughton, John (2008). Wikipedia: The Missing Manual. Sebastopol, CA: O'Rielly.
• Lih, Andrew (2009). The Wikipedia Revolution. New York: Hyperion.

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notes

Written: 2002, 2022; Revised: 10-3-2023; Version: Beta 0.7

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