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FamilySearch Wiki:Manual of Style: Difference between revisions
FamilySearch Wiki:Manual of Style (view source)
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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 his work added to and changed by others. When a contributor adds or edits a wiki page, he relinquishes 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 his work added to and changed by others. When a contributor adds or edits a wiki page, he relinquishes 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 == | == Grammar and Style == | ||
'''Important:''' Even if users are concerned about their writing skills, the FamilySearch Research Wiki would like them to contribute information. Other members of the wiki community can help polish the writing. <br> | '''Important:''' Even if users are concerned about their writing skills, the FamilySearch Research Wiki would like them to contribute information. Other members of the wiki community can help polish the writing. <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> | ||
'''Complete sentences.''' Write with complete sentences (sentences that contain a subject and verb). Complete sentences are easier to understand, especially if English is not a user’s native language. The command form (which has an implied subject) is considered a complete sentence.<br> Correct: The parish kept the records from 1770 to 1932. <br> Correct: Click the link to the Family History Library Catalog.<br> Incorrect: Not bad. | '''Complete sentences.''' Write with complete sentences (sentences that contain a subject and verb). Complete sentences are easier to understand, especially if English is not a user’s native language. The command form (which has an implied subject) is considered a complete sentence.<br> Correct: The parish kept the records from 1770 to 1932. <br> Correct: Click the link to the Family History Library Catalog.<br> Incorrect: Not bad. | ||
'''Shorter sentences that express one idea.''' As much as possible, write with shorter sentences that express one idea. They are easier to understand, especially if English is not a user’s native language.<br> Correct: This is an index to some birth and christening records from Arizona. The records cover 1909 through 1917. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.<br> | '''Shorter sentences that express one idea.''' As much as possible, write with shorter sentences that express one idea. They are easier to understand, especially if English is not a user’s native language.<br> Correct: This is an index to some birth and christening records from Arizona. The records cover 1909 through 1917. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.<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> | '''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. <br> Correct: When users find an ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family. <br> Incorrect: When a user finds his or her ancestor’s family in the census, he or she should copy all the information for the family. <br> Incorrect: When a user finds their ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family. <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. <br> Correct: When users find an ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family. <br> Incorrect: When a user finds his or her ancestor’s family in the census, he or she should copy all the information for the family. <br> Incorrect: When a user finds their ancestor’s family in the census, they should copy all the information for the family. <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: Ancestors who fought in the U.S. Civil War may be listed in the U.S. Civil War pension records. <br> Correct: 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. <br> Incorrect: If the ancestors fought in the U.S. Civil War, they may find their records in the U.S. Civil War pension records. (Here “they” is meant to represent users, but “they” would mean “the ancestors.”) | '''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: Ancestors who fought in the U.S. Civil War may be listed in the U.S. Civil War pension records. <br> Correct: 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. <br> Incorrect: If the ancestors fought in the U.S. Civil War, they may find their records in the U.S. Civil War pension records. (Here “they” is meant to represent users, but “they” would mean “the ancestors.”) | ||
'''Avoiding “we” and “I.”''' Contributors should not use “we” or “I” to refer to themselves and others in the wiki community. <br> Correct: If there are differing opinions about information in an article, the opinions can be added to the Discussion page to get input from the wiki community. <br> Incorrect: If there are differing opinions about information in an article, we want the opinions added to the Discussion page to get input from the wiki community. <br> | '''Avoiding “we” and “I.”''' Contributors should not use “we” or “I” to refer to themselves and others in the wiki community. <br> Correct: If there are differing opinions about information in an article, the opinions can be added to the Discussion page to get input from the wiki community. <br> Incorrect: If there are differing opinions about information in an article, we want the opinions added to the Discussion page to get input from the wiki community. <br> | ||
'''Ampersand (&).''' Do not replace the word “and” with an ampersand (&).<br>Exception: If the ampersand is part of an official name, use the ampersand. <br> | '''Ampersand (&).''' Do not replace the word “and” with an ampersand (&).<br>Exception: If the ampersand is part of an official name, use the ampersand. <br> | ||
'''Accepted authority.''' When there is uncertainty about grammar, follow an accepted authority such as the Chicago Manual of Style.<br> | '''Accepted authority.''' When there is uncertainty about grammar, follow an accepted authority such as the Chicago Manual of Style.<br> | ||
'''Using the Discussion 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 Discussion page for input from the wiki community.<br><br> | '''Using the Discussion 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 Discussion page for input from the wiki community.<br><br> | ||