Welcome to Wikinews

A nice cup of coffee for you while you get started

Getting started as a contributor
How to write an article
  1. Pick something current?
  2. Use two independent sources?
  3. Read your sources before writing the story in your own words?. Do choose a unique title? before you start.
  4. Follow Wikinews' structure? for articles, answering as many of who what when where why and how? as you can; summarised in a short, two- or three-sentence opening paragraph. Once complete, your article must be three or more paragraphs.
  5. If you need help, you can add {{helpme}} to your talkpage, along with a question, or alternatively, just ask?

  • Use this tab to enter your title and get a basic article template.
    [RECOMMENDED. Starts your article through the semi-automated {{develop}}—>{{review}}—>{{publish}} collaboration process.]

 Welcome! Thank you for joining Wikinews; we'd love for you to stick around and get more involved. To help you get started we have an essay that will guide you through the process of writing your first full article. There are many other things you can do on the project, but its lifeblood is new, current, stories written neutrally.
As you get more involved, you will need to look into key project policies and other discussions you can participate in; so, keep this message on this page and refer to the other links in it when you want to learn more, or have any problems.

Wikipedia's puzzle-globe logo, © Wikimedia Foundation
Wikipedia's puzzle-globe logo, © Wikimedia Foundation
  Used to contributing to Wikipedia? See here.
All Wikimedia projects have rules. Here are ours.

Listed here are the official policies of the project, you may be referred to some of them if your early attempts at writing articles don't follow them. Don't let this discourage you, we all had to start somewhere.

The rules and guides laid out here are intended to keep content to high standards and meet certain rules the Wikimedia Foundation applies to all projects. It may seem like a lot to read, but you do not have to go through it all in one sitting, or know them all before you can start contributing.

Remember, you should enjoy contributing to the project. If you're really stuck come chat with the regulars. There's usually someone in chat who will be happy to help, but they may not respond instantly.

The core policies
Places to go, people to meet

Wiki projects work because a sense of community forms around the project. Although writing news is far more individualistic than contributing to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, people often need minor help with things like spelling and copyediting. If a story isn't too old you might be able to expand it, or if it is disputed you may be able to find some more sources and rescue it before it is listed for deletion.

There are always discussions going on about how the site could be improved, and your input is of value. Check the links here to see where you can give input to the running of the Wikinews project.

Find help and get involved
Write your first article for Wikinews!

Use the following box to help you create your first article. Simply type in a title to your story and press "Create page". Then start typing text to your story into the new box that will come up. When you're done, press "save page". That's all there is to it!



It is recommended you read the article guide before starting. Also make sure to check the list of recently created articles to see if your story hasn't already been reported upon.


-- Wikinews Welcome (talk) 18:19, 24 May 2014 (UTC)Reply

Your contributions edit

Hi. I notice you've created (twice) a page called "Conflict in Syria". Having looked at the content, I point out that it's not about a current event — that is, it doesn't focus on a specific current event. Please see WN:Newsworthiness for a detailed explanation of this aspect of English Wikinews. You may also find WN:PILLARS helpful for overall perspective on our project. --Pi zero (talk) 23:14, 24 May 2014 (UTC)Reply

Do not resubmit an article for re-review without addressing the review concerns that caused it to be not-ready'd. Doing so is considered project disruption (once you know it's not allowed, which you now do). --Pi zero (talk) 00:15, 25 May 2014 (UTC)Reply

{{unblock|Mister Pi zero , you should stop doing this blocking stuff towards my page because I made this page for the purpose of my school project. I do not need you to block me from using this site because I am still in the process of editing it but with you always blocking me from doing so, I cannot manage to add the right and complete information. Nor can I complete my project which is due monday so will you please stop what you are doing and focus on your self? Thank you.}}

 
Should this user be unblocked?

Pi zero has reviewed J 2the ol's request to be unblocked, and the result was declined.
The reason given by Pi zero was: You've submitted an article that is not, in its current form, appropriate for Wikinews, and you keep resubmitting it without change, after being notified that this behavior is disruptive. Said disruptive behavior has no value for this wikimedia project and no value for a school project either..
Further debate can proceed here, however, the administrator's decision may be final, and the result of administrative consensus.


--Pi zero (talk) 02:13, 25 May 2014 (UTC)Reply

Conflict in Syria edit

What, exactly, is the point of this supposed to be?

Firstly, Wikipedia has a far more-comprehensive encyclopedia article.

Secondly, your latest edit is a blatant copyright violation. You cannot lift text straight out of someone else's work and try to pass it off as your own.

Lastly, and the primary reason why this won't ever be published (which means it'll be deleted sooner or later) is that it is not a news report.

I've no idea what "school project" this is supposed to be part of; it certainly isn't from either of the universities currently working with Wikinews. Plus, given copyright violation is grounds for summary deletion, you're risking having absolutely no work to show for the project by ignoring Wikinews' policies and guidelines. --Brian McNeil / talk 13:40, 26 May 2014 (UTC)Reply