How to Create a Wikipedia Article

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Share your expertise on a subject by writing about it for Wikipedia, the world's biggest encyclopedia. This multilingual, Web-based, free content encyclopedia already contains millions of articles, but there's always room for something new. Why not publish something by you?

To complete this How-To you will need:

Internet access
Notable topic
Reliable sources

Step 1: Have the right topic

Before you try to create an article, make sure you have an appropriate topic. Wikipedia wants unbiased, well-sourced information about subjects that are notable enough to appear in an encyclopedia. The site rejects articles that promote or publicize a business; advice -- legal, medical or otherwise; instructional material; travel guides; and news items.

Tip: Get ideas for topics by typing WP:RA in the search box; a list of articles requested by others will appear.

Step 2: Source your work

Make sure you get the information for your article from a credible, reliable source. Material in books and newspapers is generally considered reliable; the musings of bloggers are not. And don't bother writing about yourself; it's considered a conflict of interest.

Tip: Detailed instructions on the proper way to cite sources can be found by typing WP:CITE into the search box and hitting "Go."

Step 3: Conduct an internal search

Make sure Wikipedia hasn't already published an article on your exact subject by typing it into the site's internal search engine. Search as many variations of the topic name as you can think of, including common misspellings of relevant terms.

Tip: Click "Search" to find Wikipedia articles that just mention your subject.

Step 4: Google it

Search the topic on Google to see if it finds any Wikipedia articles on your subject. Google sometimes picks up postings that Wikipedia's own search engine misses.

Step 5: Sign up

Become a registered user to submit an article without first gaining the site's approval. Having an account also means you can create a user profile, receive messages from other users, request notification for changes made to articles, and, of course, get credit for the articles you write. Click on "create an account" at the top right of any page.

Tip: If you'd prefer not to register, submit a proposal through Wikipedia's Articles for Creation, an online review process that provides feedback on your idea. Type WP:AFC in a Search box and hit "Go."

Step 6: Practice writing

Practice writing an article by composing a draft in the Sandbox, where you can familiarize yourself with the site's editing tools. Get there by typing WP:SB in the Search box and hitting, "Go." Click "Help" in the toolbox to the left of any page for guidance.

Step 7: Enter the article

Type your subject in a Search box and hit "Go." You've already determined that no page with that title exists. Click on your highlighted search entry. You'll be redirected to a blank page where you can begin writing your article.

Tip: Wikipedia editors may request more sources from you after reviewing your article.

Step 8: Publish!

When your article is finished, hit "Show Preview" to proofread your work and see how it will appear on the site. When you're ready to publish it, hit "Save Page." Congratulations! You're a Wikipedian!

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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• HotHowTos
• wikipedia
• article
• share
• knowledge
• subject
• write
• help
• encyclopedia
• contribute
• web

[OhHaiTv]

You will need internet access, HOW THE FUCK DO YOU THINK WE ARE WATCHING THIS VIDEO, OVER THE INTERNET!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Aristotlejr]

of course you need internet access.how come that i watched this video without the internet connection.WTF.

[trainmaster555]

Is anyone else trying to get the TF2 wiki cap..?

[LMJCreations]

PHAHAHAHA LOL You Just Made Me Burst With Laughter. Oh My Gosh Thank you I Needed That LOL @OhHaiTv

[seso8877]

Helpful... And kinda lame!

[seso8877]

@infernaper303 but wikipedia checks and removes wrong info and misspellings

[TheRogueMonk]

lol everyone has written about people... arent that "writing about myself"?

you know how many celebrities exist in wikipedia?

how is that any different.

[Lightning2659]

So it was Howcast who crated the article Mount Erebus!

[Noodles37UK]

SAVE WIKIPEDIA!!! I'm FUCKED without it. Apart from the porn, I only ever use YouTube, Wikipedia, videogame Wikias and Google Earth. Wikipedia is a Godsend!!

[epiphonelespaul4]

this video is an insult to my intellegence

[Ritz9976]

why are newspapers more reliable then bloogers, think about wiki leaks he knows all the swiss bank ac=counts of goverrment officals yet the newspaper is controlled by the goverment

[Ritz9976]

i dont understand how you got more votes when the guy below wrote it before you, ahh yes there are three rearolds on this who laugh at you saying fuck