Learning patterns/Creating new articles

Creating new articles

problemCreating a new biographical article is very intimidating for new editors.

solutionWalk a new editor one-on-one through the given steps at an event.

creator• Keilana

endorse

created on15 April, 2014

What problem does this solve?

New editors are intimidated by creating new articles, but there is a general way to walk them through that seems to be very successful.

Have the new editor create a user name.
Have the editor pick an article from a given worklist and read the sources about the subject.
Show them how to type the first sentence of the article: '''Jane Doe''' (yyyy-yyyy) was an accomplished underwater basket weaver.
Have them write the next sentence, summarizing why the subject was/is important.
Then, show them that a biography is organized chronologically and let them write a few sentences paraphrased from the source.
Check on the new editor regularly, answer their questions, and encourage them!
After they have written the first section, teach them how to use references using the cite toolbar and how to add links.
After they have written the entire text, show them how to add a references section and categories. (You can show them how to install HotCat if you want, people find it very easy to use.)

Don't get into policy really at all - you should have an article for them that is inherently notable and has reliable sources. If they ask, answer, but they do not need to get bogged down in policy.

This has been used really successfully in Grants:IEG/Women Scientists Workshop Development! I recommend it for use at any workshop or edit-a-thon.