User:KHarold (WMF)/Sandbox/Writing Contest Toolkit

Part of the Wikimedia Resource Center<translate> Back to Learning and Evaluation →</translate>

<translate> Program Guides</translate>: <translate> Writing Contests</translate>

• <translate> Start</translate>
• <translate> Plan</translate>
• <translate> Report</translate>
• <translate> Contribute</translate>
• <translate> Connect</translate>

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  "Work toward goals with  structure and accountability."
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  "Brings back collaboration to wikiwork. Feels like a festival."
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  "Improve quality by bringing in expert judges to comment on articles."
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  "Recognize power editors, get them resources they need."
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  "The competition is an homage to a very active Wikipedian who passed away.”
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  "Create a welcoming environment for new editors."

The Wikiverse is full of different kinds of contests. Each one is unique. The planning templates below can help you choose a contest model that your community will love and that works with the resources you have available. You can find quick links to resources in these templates or get more in depth planning tools in the tabs.

Short-term, Specific Topic
Description: Short contests can run for as little as one week or last one to two months. For best results, focus on a specific topic. Goals: Increase content, motivate experienced Wikipedians Timeline: Begin promotion a few weeks before the contest. Contests about a current event (such as a comic conference, or sports event) should happen the week before or durring the event. Request funding or support from chapters at least one month before the contest begins. Target Participants: Mostly experienced Wikipedians, some new editors Promotion: Use social media to reach new users, let the community know by posting messages on village pumps, or on project pages that are related to the contest topic Scoring/Judging: Simple self-scoring systems, automated judging using bots Prizes: Small prizes such as books or gift cards that are easy to deliver Tools: Post redlinks on the event page Examples: Add YOUR tips!

High Edit Volume
Description: Goals:Improve the quality of Wikipedia content, motivate communities to work toward goals in a fun way Timeline: Participants: Experience Wikipedians Promotion:Village pumps, project pages, IRC, user pages Scoring/Judging: Use a bot or automated tool to score and only review a sample of contributions in the judging phase. Prizes: Small prizes, Barnstars Tools: Automated tool for tracking submissions, subpages for participant contributions Examples: Tyop Contest, Stub Contest Add YOUR tips!

Content Gap
Description: Goals: Fill content gaps, engage new users Timeline: One to three months Participants:Experienced Wikipedians, new editors, students, content experts Promotion: Banners, WikiProject pages, partner mailing lists, posters, social media Scoring/Judging: Invite content experts to be judges and comment on articles Prizes: Apply for event or annual grants from WMF or ask contest partners/sponsors to provide prizes. Tools: Identify Content Gaps, Redlink List, Examples: PhysiWiki, WikiWomenPrize, Mujeres IberoAmericano Advice: Add YOUR tips!

Long-term, General topic or action
Long Term Contest, General Topic or Action Description: Goals: Timeline: 6 to 12 months Participants:Experienced Wikipedians Promotion: Banners, WikiProject pages, partner mailing lists, posters, social media Scoring/Judging: Experienced Wikipedians, perhaps past contestants or administrators Prizes: Tools: Examples: WikiCup, Producer Prize Add YOUR tips!

Cross-Wiki or Regional Contest
Cross-Wiki or Regional Contests "Competitions with other Wikipedias work well, because there is a natural rivalry between the two groups, because it creates a sense of community." Description: Goals: Timeline: Participants:Experienced Wikipedians Promotion: Banners, WikiProject pages, partner mailing lists, posters, social media Scoring/Judging: Prizes: Tools: Examples: Add YOUR tips!