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WikiIslam:Writing Style Guide: Difference between revisions
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It is often difficult for new editors at [[WikiIslam]] to understand what is or is not appropriate within articles. This page expands on the site's [[WikiIslam:Policies and Guidelines|policies and guidelines]] concerning style, tone and content of its articles by providing a visual guide for editors. | It is often difficult for new editors at [[WikiIslam]] to understand what is or is not appropriate within articles. This page expands on the site's [[WikiIslam:Policies and Guidelines|policies and guidelines]] concerning style, tone and content of its articles by providing a visual guide for editors. | ||
== Standardized Spellings == | ==Standardized Spellings== | ||
There are many acceptable phonetic spellings for different words that are translated or transliterated into English. However, WikiIslam editors should standardize spelling to use throughout the wiki. The following is a list of required spelling standardizations. Note: You should not standardize spelling in quotations, leave the quoted text as originally written. This table is subject to change to accommodate new words. | There are many acceptable phonetic spellings for different words that are translated or transliterated into English. However, WikiIslam editors should standardize spelling to use throughout the wiki. The following is a list of required spelling standardizations. Note: You should not standardize spelling in quotations, leave the quoted text as originally written. This table is subject to change to accommodate new words. | ||
<br /> | <br /> | ||
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|'''al-Tabari''' | |'''al-Tabari''' | ||
|Yes | |Yes | ||
|Islamic foremost Mufassir | |Islamic foremost Mufassir | ||
|- | |- | ||
|'''al-Jalalayn''' | |'''al-Jalalayn''' | ||
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|} | |} | ||
{{shortcut|[[WISCG]]}} | {{shortcut|[[WISCG]]}} | ||
== | ==Tone== | ||
WikiIslam should strive to be an objective source for knowledge about Islamic matters. To do so we must remain objective in language. Unsourced claims and assertions degrade the quality of the site. In your own writing, summarize the main and relevant information of the source cited; be sure to avoid phrases of certainty (of course, surely etc...). Do ''not'' include conclusions at any point of the text. Readers should be able to come to their own conclusions given the resources. We want to maintain a trustworthy and neutral reputation that encourages readers to do further research. | |||
=== | Do not make generalizing, political or hateful statements against any group of people (including Muslims); this could result in a ban. | ||
===Examples=== | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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|} | |} | ||
=== | == Analysis == | ||
All and any analysis should not be labeled as an analysis and there should be no sections dedicated to or labeled as analysis—the whole article should be a comprehensive summary and analysis of scripture and scholarly sources. Thus, analysis will present itself throughout the article. | |||
=== Acceptable analysis === | |||
Includes that which brings together scholarly stances and/or direct scriptural references on a position and makes objective observations. The idea is to summarize the sources and allow the reader to determine how they support or conflict with one another. All positions mentioned should stay relevant to the subject of the article. | |||
=== Unacceptable analysis === | |||
Includes any analysis that includes the editor’s own judgement, conclusions, impressions, evaluations, or ethics. It is also unacceptable for editors to judge intentions or character of any author, source, or person—real or fictional. | |||
We do not want to lose valuable ideas present in the Wiki. While editing, do not to delete good analyses that are poorly written. Instead try to clean any biases and opinions from the old editor and leave any of the objective valuable or citable material. | |||
Be sure to investigate counter arguments and check key translated words in the original Arabic before adding a point. | |||
===Examples=== | |||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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The Qur'an claims several times that it is a book explained in detail: | The Qur'an claims several times that it is a book explained in detail: | ||
|Section headings do not form a part of the main text. They only indicate the general topic of that particular section, and should not contain information not found within its main text. So when choosing titles for headings and subheading, editors should avoid questions or long sentences. | |Section headings do not form a part of the main text. They only indicate the general topic of that particular section, and should not contain information not found within its main text. So when choosing titles for headings and subheading, editors should avoid questions or long sentences. | ||
|- | |- | ||
|{{center|15}} | |{{center|15}} | ||
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|An editor's own conclusions or exaggerations are being replaced with facts. | |An editor's own conclusions or exaggerations are being replaced with facts. | ||
|} | |} | ||
== Lead vs Body == | |||
=== Lead === | |||
The Lead Text should define and explain only essential information about the subject and its impacts/contributions. The Lead Text text comes before the table of contents and does not have a section title. It is composed of one to four paragraphs and should be written simply and concisely to allow for easy digestion of information. This will also help Google create snippets for their search engine and therefore boosts the article’s visibility. | |||
The lead text is the most important text in the article and should reflect the objective standard we are trying to achieve. | |||
=== Body === | |||
The body text should go into greater detail than the Lead text. It is important that all challengeable materials, or any claim that is subject to dispute, are from third party published works. The body should go into further details of interest on the subject and be broken down into sections. | |||
Where a source is open to interpretation or is disputed, editors should not assume a particular meaning. Interpretations can be discussed by reference to scholars. The editor should only seek to summarize and collect sources that accurately reflect the positions and dialogue concerning the article’s subject. Articles should ''never'' end with an evaluation of the editor’s impression. In fact, the article should not have ending remarks at all, as they give a sense of finality and closure that discourages the reader from further research. The WikiIslam articles should aim only to provide the reader with the information they need to draw their own conclusions. | |||
== Transliteration == | |||
If the transliterated word is not the subject of the article always link the first occurrence of the word to its own article when applicable. If you find a commonly transliterated word does not have its own article suggest or start one. | |||
=== Title === | |||
For titles of transliterated words use the standardized transliteration as the title with the English translation in brackets next to it. Example: Jannah (Heaven) | |||
=== Article === | |||
If a word has a suitable English translation the first occurrence of the word should use the translation followed by brackets including the transliteration and the word in its original language. Example: dust (turabin تُرَابٍ) all following occurrences can use either the English translation (preferred) or the transliteration if necessary. | |||
If the word does not have a suitable English translation the first occurrence of the word should use the standardized transliteration followed by brackets including the language and the word in its original language. Example: Jizyah (جزية) all following occurrences can use the transliterated word. | |||
==Honorifics== | ==Honorifics== | ||
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===Prophet, Christ or Lord=== | ===Prophet, Christ or Lord=== | ||
When discussing the Islamic prophet Muhammad, the first mention in an article and its conclusion should begin with the capitalized qualifier, Prophet, i.e. "The Prophet Muhammad". The same applies to any personal noun such as Jesus or Ganesha, (i.e. Jesus Christ" or "Lord Ganesha). This is because we need to be clear that we are discussing the religious figures named Muhammad, Jesus or Ganesha, and not another individual. Referring to Jesus as "Jesus Christ" does not make one a Christian, nor does referring to Muhammad as "Prophet Muhammad" make one a Muslim. | When discussing the Islamic prophet Muhammad, the first mention in an article and its conclusion should begin with the capitalized qualifier, Prophet, i.e. "The Prophet Muhammad". The same applies to any personal noun such as Jesus or Ganesha, (i.e. Jesus Christ" or "Lord Ganesha). This is because we need to be clear that we are discussing the religious figures named Muhammad, Jesus or Ganesha, and not another individual. Referring to Jesus as "Jesus Christ" does not make one a Christian, nor does referring to Muhammad as "Prophet Muhammad" make one a Muslim. | ||
=== | ===Sheikh, Imam, Saint or Doctor=== | ||
Due to similar reasons, at least the first mention in an article should include the individual's religious title. For example, "Imam Bukhari" or "Shaykh Qaradawi". This is no different than referring to a saint or doctor as "Saint Patrick" or "Dr. Phil". | Due to similar reasons, at least the first mention in an article should include the individual's religious title. For example, "Imam Bukhari" or "Shaykh Qaradawi". This is no different than referring to a saint or doctor as "Saint Patrick" or "Dr. Phil". | ||
===SAW, SWT, He, Him or Her=== | ===SAW, SWT, He, Him or Her=== | ||