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Preparing For Your Wikipedia Assignment. CSC 104 The How and Why of Computing Joanna Szurmak, Liaison Librarian Martha Harris, Learning Strategist. Goals for Today. Identify tasks your assignment requires Define the principles of Wikipedia Interpret a sample Wikipedia entry
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Preparing For Your Wikipedia Assignment CSC 104 The How and Why of Computing Joanna Szurmak, Liaison Librarian Martha Harris, Learning Strategist
Goals for Today • Identify tasks your assignment requires • Define the principles of Wikipedia • Interpret a sample Wikipedia entry • Identify types of sources • Determine how to find sources
Your Objectives • Two Wikipedia pages • Specs • 3-4 pages • Define your topic • Relate to CSC topic • Researched material • Looking for… • Well-rounded entry • Neutral writing • Clear expression of debates or controversy • Links & footnotes
The Wikipedia Format • What a Wiki article does: • Informs readers • Provides consensus • Well-researched and verifiable! • Aspects of format: • Definition • Topic-specific headers • TOC • References • Related Links • Sample page: 1 & 2
The Wikipedia Format • A Wiki entry is NOT: • A dictionary • Original research • A “soapbox” • A data repository • A directory • A manual • A FAQ • How do we avoid mistakes? • The Five Pillars http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:What_Wikipedia_is_not
The Five Pillars Encyclopedia with verifiable acccuracy Neutral point of view Free, editable content Work to find consensus No firm rules outside the pillars http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:5P
Example: Windows Vista • Definition • What is important? • Vista at Wikipedia • Another Perspective? • Apple at Wikipedia
Steps to Neutral Writing • Wikipedia policies that affect you • No original research (NOR) • Verifiability (V) • Neutral point of view (NPOV) • Opinion-based vs. research-based writing • Begin with strong research!
Sources of Information Encyclopedias Books Newspapers Magazines Wikipedia Journal Articles Websites
CSC104 Sources Books Web pages Encyclopedias
Primary Secondary Tertiary Scholarly Non-scholarly Refereed (peer-reviewed) Types of Sources
Sort Your Sources Scholarly Non-Scholarly Newspapers Journal Articles Primary Websites Magazines Secondary and Tertiary Books Wikipedia Encyclopedias
Cite your sources Why? So that others can find your source and verify what you have said. How to Use Your Sources?
Authoritative (author, publisher) Current So-called “reliable sources” Peer-reviewed Recognizing Good Sources
Putting It All Together • Consult the “Five Pillars” • Identify the important issues • What should your reader learn? • Identify your support • What references have you used? • Research, outline, draft, edit, revise