Writing about Wikipedia: Article Summary Assignment

1. Writing about Wikipedia: Article Summary Assignment

2. Which is most convincing? • As I discovered last week, Wikipedia is not a chaotic free-for-all. • As Dan O’Sullivan demonstrates in Wikipedia: A New Community of Practice, Wikipedia is not a chaotic free-for-all. • After developing an algorithm and a statistical model to track and evaluate the History Pages and Talk Pages for thousands of Wikipedia articles, computer scientists at MIT have concluded that the site is not a chaotic free-for-all. • Based on the Talk Pages for the “George W. Bush” article, it is clear that Wikipedia is not a chaotic free-for-all

3. Which is most convincing? C. After developing an algorithm and a statistical model to track and evaluate the History Pages and Talk Pages for thousands of Wikipedia articles, computer scientists at MIT have concluded that the site is not a chaotic free-for-all. • Statistical data brings together lots of evidence B. As Dan O’Sullivan demonstrates in Wikipedia: A New Community of Practice, Wikipedia is not a chaotic free-for-all. • What one expert says; but what evidence does he use? D. Based on the Talk Pages for the “George W. Bush” article, it is clear that Wikipedia is not a chaotic free-for-all • One example (we’ll call it an “exhibit”) A. As I discovered last week, Wikipedia is not a chaotic free-for-all. • An anecdote, not really any evidence here

4. Which is most convincing? • I think the Wikipedia article on Maya Angelou is among the best on the site. • Jimmy Wales thinks the Wikipedia article on Maya Angelou is among the best on the site. • After developing an algorithm and a statistical model to track and evaluate the History Pages and Talk Pages for thousands of Wikipedia articles, computer scientists at MIT have concluded that the Wikipedia article on Maya Angelou is among the best on the site • Wikipedians have developed a set of guidelines for what determines a “Featured Article,” and Maya Angelou article meets those criteria, making it one of best on the site. The article cites numerous reliable sources, making its content verifiable, and even potentially controversial topics like Angelou’s race and gender are presented in a neutral manner.

5. Which is most convincing? D. Wikipedians have developed a set of guidelines for what determines a “Featured Article,” and Maya Angelou article meets those criteria, making it one of best on the site. The article cites numerous reliable sources, making its content verifiable, and even potentially controversial topics like Angelou’s race and gender are presented in a neutral manner. • Clearly defined criteria, and list of examples (“exhibits”) B. Jimmy Wales thinks the Wikipedia article on Maya Angelou is among the best on the site. • An “expert,” but no reason to trust his judgment? C. After developing an algorithm and a statistical model to track and evaluate the History Pages and Talk Pages for thousands of Wikipedia articles, computer scientists at MIT have concluded that the Wikipedia article on Maya Angelou is among the best on the site • In this context, numerical data is inappropriate A. I think the Wikipedia article on Maya Angelou is among the best on the site. • A personal opinion; no evidence offered

6. Kinds of Evidence • Exhibits: the objects being interpreted • Stories, films, paintings, Wikipedia pages • Expert Testimony: arguments made by others • Even experts need reasons and evidence: when quoting them, explain what they use (exhibits, numerical data, other experts) • Numerical Data • Anecdotes (memories, personal experiences)

7. When and why would you use …. • Exhibits? • Expert Testimony? • Anecdotes (memories, personal experiences)? • Numerical Data?

8. When and why to use Your choice of evidence depends on the claim you’re making. • Exhibits are “primary sources”; this evidence brings you as close as possible to the subject you’re studying. • Experts can do things you can’t: they might combine more or different sources than you could find yourself, or explain an especially difficult concept (like a statistical model). • But, they’re making arguments: you (or your reader) might disagree with the “experts.” Evaluate their reasons and evidence. • Numerical Data (Statistics, graphs, etc.): this is the data most readers find most convincing • But, this evidence isn’t appropriate for all arguments. • And, this evidence is easy to manipulate: it requires careful explanation, especially to non-expert readers • Examples, Anecdotes, Opinions, and Stories: the easiest but least convincing kind of evidence. • Most useful in a problem frame: anecdotes make great status quos and destabilizing moments • Special case: some fields really case studies, single examples from which they draw general conclusions.

9. What about the article you read for today? What’s the claim (the main idea)? What kinds of evidence are used?

10. For class on Thursday • A citation, listing separately: author(s); article title; publication source (the book or journal); publisher; date of publication; page numbers • A problem Frame, written in your own words, but setting up the argument of the article you’re summarizing • A paragraph describing the kinds of evidence the article uses You’ll workshop these in class.