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FamilySearch Wiki:Manual of Style: Difference between revisions
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'''Respectful interactions.''' Comments and editing should be made with respect for other users and contributors. [[FamilySearch Wiki:Etiquette Guidelines]] | '''Respectful interactions.''' Comments and editing should be made with respect for other users and contributors. [[FamilySearch Wiki:Etiquette Guidelines]] | ||
'''Alternate opinions of information.''' How genealogists | '''Alternate opinions of information.''' How genealogists choose to work on their family histories is very individualized. Rather than editing and reediting an article to suit an individual method of building family trees, alternate information or methods may be added in a section such as "Other ways to find the information". | ||
'''Appropriate content.''' Content and images must be [[FamilySearch Wiki:Purpose and Appropriate Topics|appropriate]] to the FamilySearch Research Wiki. Inappropriate content or links will be | '''Appropriate content.''' Content and images must be [[FamilySearch Wiki:Purpose and Appropriate Topics|appropriate]] to the FamilySearch Research Wiki. Inappropriate content or links will be deleted. | ||
'''Neutrality.''' Articles should be as [[FamilySearch Wiki:Neutral point of view|neutral]] as possible. Descriptions should | '''Neutrality.''' Articles should be as [[FamilySearch Wiki:Neutral point of view|neutral]] as possible. Descriptions should state facts and avoid negative or positive judgements. Using phrases such as "settlers from western Europe" rather than "poor, uneducated peasants" presents factual information without negativity. Avoid hype and exaggeration . | ||
'''Simplicity.''' Writing should be clear and simple. When a term is used that may be unfamiliar to people (for example, gazetteer), it should be defined the first time it appears in the body of an article. Avoid using specialized terms or acronymns when a common term is available. As much as possible, the information should be understandable | '''Simplicity.''' Writing should be clear and simple. When a term is used that may be unfamiliar to people (for example, "gazetteer"), it should be defined the first time it appears in the body of an article. Avoid using specialized terms or acronymns when a common term is available. As much as possible, the information should be understandable by every reader, even if English is not the user's first language. | ||
== Bylines == | == Bylines == | ||
Anyone can contribute to FamilySearch Wiki. [[FamilySearch Wiki:Ownership of articles|Pages are not owned]] by anyone exclusively. Since anyone can add to a page, the original author of a page will see their work added to and changed by others. When a contributor adds or edits a wiki page, they relinquish ownership of the content to the community. This relinquishment of content to the community is stated not only in a [[FamilySearch Wiki:Policies|policy page]] but also in the editing screen everyone uses to add content. For all these reasons, [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/byline bylines] are not appropriate on wiki pages. If information is added to the wiki from a specific published work, it is appropriate to [[Help:How to add citations|cite that]] work in a footnote, but it is not appropriate to "retain ownership" of a page through use of a byline. | Anyone can contribute to FamilySearch Wiki. [[FamilySearch Wiki:Ownership of articles|Pages are not owned]] by anyone exclusively. Since anyone can add to a page, the original author of a page will see their work added to and changed by others. When a contributor adds or edits a wiki page, they relinquish ownership of the content to the community. This relinquishment of content to the community is stated not only in a [[FamilySearch Wiki:Policies|policy page]] but also in the editing screen everyone uses to add content. For all these reasons, [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/byline bylines] are not appropriate on wiki pages. If information is added to the wiki from a specific published work, it is appropriate to [[Help:How to add citations|cite that]] work in a footnote, but it is not appropriate to "retain ownership" of a page through use of a byline. | ||
== Grammar and Style == | == Grammar and Style == | ||
'''Important:''' Even if users are concerned about their writing skills, the FamilySearch Research Wiki | '''Important:''' Even if users are concerned about their writing skills, the FamilySearch Research Wiki wants them to contribute. The information they possess may not be obtainable by other users and is valuable to the wiki in any form. Other members of the wiki community can edit and polish the writing while keeping the content andinformation intact. <br> | ||
'''Consistent grammar style within an article.''' Grammar styles may vary by a contributor’s location and preference. Whatever style is chosen by the original contributor should be maintained throughout the article. Other contributors should follow the original style.<br> | '''Consistent grammar style within an article.''' Grammar styles may vary by a contributor’s location and preference. Whatever style is chosen by the original contributor should be maintained throughout the article. Other contributors should follow the original style.<br> | ||
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'''Neutral tone'''. Writing should be factual and avoid stereotypes, judgments, and gender bias. However, quotes should not be changed to meet this guideline. <br> | '''Neutral tone'''. Writing should be factual and avoid stereotypes, judgments, and gender bias. However, quotes should not be changed to meet this guideline. <br> | ||
'''Not using “he or she.”''' As much as possible, avoid using “he or she” and “his or hers” (for example, “He or she can use the index to find his or her ancestor’s record quickly”). Do not use the plural pronoun “they” to replace “he or she.” Often, the problem can be solved by rewriting the sentence. | '''Not using “he or she.”''' As much as possible, avoid using “he or she” and “his or hers” (for example, “He or she can use the index to find his or her ancestor’s record quickly”). Do not use the plural pronoun “they” to replace “he or she.” Often, the problem can be solved by rewriting the sentence: ("Indexes can be used to find ancestral records quickly.") | ||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
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::{{!xt|When a user finds their ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family.}} | ::{{!xt|When a user finds their ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family.}} | ||
'''Avoiding unclear “antecedents.”''' A pronoun represents to the last noun used before the pronoun. For clarity, pronouns should be used correctly. If needed, rewrite the sentence or repeat the noun. <br> | '''Avoiding unclear “antecedents.”''' A pronoun represents to the last noun used before the pronoun. For clarity, pronouns should be used correctly. If needed, rewrite the sentence or repeat the noun. <br> | ||
:; Correct: | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|Ancestors who fought in the U.S. Civil War may be listed in the U.S. Civil War pension records.}} | :: | ||
::{{xt|Ancestors who fought in the U.S. Civil War may be listed in the U.S. Civil War pension records.}} | |||
:;Correct | :;Correct | ||
::{{xt|If ancestors of the users fought in the U.S. Civil War, users may find the ancestors’ records in the U.S. Civil War pension records.}} | ::{{xt|If ancestors of the users fought in the U.S. Civil War, users may find the ancestors’ records in the U.S. Civil War pension records.}} | ||
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'''Accepted authority.''' When there is uncertainty about grammar, follow an accepted authority such as the Chicago Manual of Style. | '''Accepted authority.''' When there is uncertainty about grammar, follow an accepted authority such as the Chicago Manual of Style. | ||
'''Using the Talk page.''' If differing opinions about a grammar issue cannot be resolved by referring to an accepted authority, the opinions should be added to the article’s Talk page for input from the wiki community. | '''Using the Talk page.''' If differing opinions about a grammar issue cannot be resolved by referring to an accepted authority, the opinions should be added to the article’s Talk page for input from the wiki community. | ||
== Naming == | == Naming == | ||
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:'''Exception:''' The historical records collections in FamilySearch.org use book title capitalization.<br> | :'''Exception:''' The historical records collections in FamilySearch.org use book title capitalization.<br> | ||
{| width="625" | {| width="625" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" | ||
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| '''Correct'''<br> | | '''Correct'''<br> | ||
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:'''Exception:''' The titles of historical records collections in FamilySearch.org list places in descending order. | :'''Exception:''' The titles of historical records collections in FamilySearch.org list places in descending order. | ||
{| width="625" | {| width="625" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" | ||
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| '''Correct'''<br> | | '''Correct'''<br> | ||
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'''Places and dates in titles.''' If the place, country, or time period is important to the content of the article, include them in the title of the article. Add the word county in the title if the article is about a county.<br> | '''Places and dates in titles.''' If the place, country, or time period is important to the content of the article, include them in the title of the article. Add the word county in the title if the article is about a county.<br> | ||
{| width="625" | {| width="625" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Correct'''<br> | | '''Correct'''<br> | ||
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Do not end the title with punctuation. | Do not end the title with punctuation. | ||
{| width="625" | {| width="625" border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Correct'''<br> | | '''Correct'''<br> | ||