WikiIslam:Writing Style Guide: Difference between revisions

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.

Overall, the tone should be encyclopedic and neutral. The facts should be presented as is with only as much commentary is needed to elucidate any given point, and the tone of the writing should be that of an encyclopedia entry describing a fact about the world we live in, not a polemic trying to convince the reader of a given point or a conversation with a friend. Speaking directly to the reader should be avoided if at all possible, and the use of the 1st person "we" should likewise be avoided if at all possible. Although the wiki covers some controversial topics the goal of its language should be to keep anyone reading as long as possible without causing any offense. This does NOT mean that the content of the article should "pull punches" or avoid controversial topics that might hurt the feelings of Muslims or any other group of people, however the word choice should not be such that a person from any given group would give up reading the article based on the word choice alone.