Wikipedia:Editing policy: Difference between revisions

{{redirects here|WPWikipedia:Editing|basic information about how to edit Wikipedia|Help:Editing}}

[[Wikipedia:About|Wikipedia]] is the product of millions of '''[[WP:Wikipedians|editors' contributions]]''', each one bringing something different to the table, whether it be: researching skills, technical expertise, writing prowess or tidbits of information, but most importantly, a willingness to help. Even the [[Wikipedia:Featured articles|best]] articles]] should not be considered complete, as each new editor can offer new insights on how to enhance and improve the content in it at any time.

Wikipedia ''[[WP:NOTEVERYTHING|summarizes]]'' accepted knowledge. As a rule, the more accepted knowledge it can encapsulate, the better it is. Please [[WP:BOLDBe bold|boldly]] add content summarizing accepted knowledge, and be particularly cautious about removing [[WP:RS|sourced]] content. It is Wikipedia policy that information in Wikipedia should be [[WP:VVerifiability|verifiable]] and must not be [[WP:NORNo original research|not be original research]]. Show that content is verifiable by referencing [[WP:reliable sources|reliable sources]]. Because a lack of content is better than misleading or false content, unsourced content may be challenged and [[WP:BURDEN|removed]]. To avoid such challenges, the best practice is to provide an "[[WP:ICinline citation|inline citation]]" when adding content (see: [[WP:Citing sources]] for instructions on how to do this, or ask for help on the article talk page).

Wikipedia respects others' copyright. Although content must be backed by reliable sources, [[WP:COPYPASTECopying text from other sources|avoid copying]] or [[WP:PARAPHRASEClose paraphrasing|closely paraphrasing]] a copyrighted source. You should read the source, understand it, and then express what it says in your own words. An exception exists for the often necessary use of short quotations; they must be enclosed in quotations marks, accompanied by an inline reference to the source, and usually attributed to the author. (See the [[Fair use]] doctrine which allows limited quoting without permission.)