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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, Jdbethel! 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.


-- 00:40, 12 January 2012 (UTC)

Welcome Jdbethel

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Thank you for your contribution to the article about National Human Trafficking Awareness Day! Crtew (talk) 03:11, 12 January 2012 (UTC)Reply

Synthetic Marijuana article

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Arrest marks continued upset surrounding synthetic marijuana...............y'know what, you threw a good effort at that article.............but it's way too stale.....let's back away, re-calibrate and collab. on a new article! Game? Bddpaux (talk) 02:20, 8 March 2012 (UTC)Reply

Billboard launches new chart as digital sales rocket

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See review comments. --Pi zero (talk) 00:26, 22 March 2012 (UTC)Reply

Over 300 artists ready for Record Store Day

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Jdbethel, I could tell by the sources you were thorough in the your search for vinyl releases on Record Day! Put the sources into the standard source template used for all stories. Then to make it easier on the review, insert html comment code in the story that directs the reviewer to the source. This will allow the editor to focus on the story rather than get hung up on the process. Lots of room here to put in the wikipedia templates around key artists or people mentioned. One other thing, and this is fun, choose a photo! Fans have uploaded many photos of artists and bands. You're almost there! Crtew (talk) 22:27, 24 March 2012 (UTC)Reply

Resubmitting

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Hi. If an article has been reviewed as not ready, there are review concerns to be addressed. Don't resubmit such an article for review without attempting to address the concerns; it's considered a form of project disruption. --Pi zero (talk) 21:12, 27 March 2012 (UTC)Reply

Yes, I don't see any changes from the suggestions made (see above). Jdbethel, the problem is in this "The official countdown clock to Record Store Day started ticking on Monday March 19." That expression stales the lead and points backwards. Take that out. Are there events before your target date or somebody doing something? See if there are any updates. And you do have to fix your sources, make links and choose a visual. Crtew (talk) 21:20, 27 March 2012 (UTC)Reply