Archive:The Big Write: Difference between revisions

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'''The Big Write''' is our second in an series of important community-wide initiatives.  [[Citizendium Pilot:The Big Speedydelete|The Big Speedydelete]] was the first.  In ''The Big Write'', we are aiming to write many ''[[#What is a ''credible start''?|credible starts]]'' on high priority articles. Everyone is encouraged to participate, but ''please read this brief document in its entirety if you wish to do so.''
'''The Big Write''' is our second in an series of important community-wide initiatives.  [[Citizendium Pilot:The Big Speedydelete|The Big Speedydelete]] was the first.  In ''The Big Write'', we are aiming to write many ''[[#What is a "credible start"?|credible starts]]'' on high priority articles. Everyone is encouraged to participate, but ''please read this brief document in its entirety if you wish to do so.''


For editors, this is an important opportunity, through only minimal work and commitment, to "jump start" work in your areas.  For article writers, this is an excellent opportunity to obtain feedback on your work from subject experts. For all ''Citizendium'' citizens, both editors and authors, this initiative will help us get to know each other better and "jump start" many workgroups!
For editors, this is an important opportunity, through only minimal work and commitment, to "jump start" work in your areas.  For article writers, this is an excellent opportunity to obtain feedback on your work from subject experts. For all ''Citizendium'' citizens, both editors and authors, this initiative will help us get to know each other better and "jump start" many workgroups!
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We hope through this initiative to create and review dozens of original (non-Wikipedia-based), top priority articles as ''credible starts''.  This would be a fine addition to the ''Citizendium'' corpus.   
We hope through this initiative to create and review dozens of original (non-Wikipedia-based), top priority articles as ''credible starts''.  This would be a fine addition to the ''Citizendium'' corpus.   


==== Editors ====
== How it works ==


* Editors are encouraged to nominate 3-5 "high priority" topics ([[#Editor_nominated_topics|below]]) within their field. Articles should not already exist for nominated topics. 
It isn't complicated.


* For each topic an editor nominates, they should be committed to reviewing and validating the new article as a ''credible start.''   
Editors nominate 3-5 "high priority" topics ([[#Editor_nominated_topics|below]]) within their field.  Articles on these topics shouldn't already exist.  Other contributors then sign up to write a "credible start" on the topic.  To be a "credible start," an article must be at least 750 words, accurate, unbiased, and well-written ([[#What is "a credible start"?|see below]]).  As many people as want to sign up to write on any topic may do so, but everyone who ''does'' sign up to write is then ''obligated'' to do so (and to begin soon, i.e., within a day or two of signing up).  For each nominated topic, the editor is committed to reviewing and (if all goes well) blessing the new article as "a credible start."  This is not an ''approval,'' but merely the editor's opinion that the article in its present form is ''on its way'' to being a good summation of the topic. The editor offers this blessing [[#The Topics|below]].


* To maximize both motivation and the number of high priority articles resulting from this initiative, editors should consult, but not feel bound by, author suggestions when nominating their topics.  See [[#Author_suggested_topics|"Author suggested topics", below]].
There is another way to get articles on [[#The Topics|the list]]. Authors can suggest topics, which editors may then choose to review. This is a good idea, because an author's suggestion indicates that the author will actually write the article.  See [[#Author_suggested_topics|"Author suggested topics", below]].
 
:* Credible starts must be at least 750 words, accurate, unbiased, and well-written. (See [[#What is a ''credible start''?|"What is "a credible start?" below]]).  Credible starts are <U>not</U> ''approvals.'' They are an editor's opinion that the article is ''on its way'' to being a good summation of the topicThe editor offers this "validation" [[#Editor_nominated_topics|below]].


We will declare the period of nominations over after they drop off significantly.
We will declare the period of nominations over after they drop off significantly.


==== All writers (both authors and editors) ====
== What is a "credible start"? ==
 
* All writers are encouraged to sign up to write one or more ''credible starts'' on editor-nominated topics.  As many citizens as wish may sign up to collaborate. 
 
:* Writers who sign up to write ''credible starts'' should only do so if they are ''committed'' to do so within a day or so of signing up.
 
==== Authors ====
 
* Authors are encouraged to suggest up to three high priority topics for editors to nominate. Articles should not already exist for suggested topics. 
 
* For each topic an author suggests, they should be committed to creating a ''credible start.'' 
 
* Other writers who are committed to helping create a ''credible start'' on an author's suggested topic(s) may add their support.
 
== What is a ''credible start''? ==


For purposes of this initiative, a ''credible start'' is an article that:
For purposes of this initiative, a ''credible start'' is an article that:
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== Instructions for editors ==
== Instructions for editors ==


'''Step One.''' Choose three to five topics in your field(s) that are very high priority, and about which you have some specialized knowledge. When doing this, please consult the [[#Author_suggested_topics|list of "Author suggested topics"]], below, to see if any "mesh" with top priority areas in which you have expertise.   
'''Step One.''' Choose three to five topics in your field(s) that are very high priority, and about which you have some specialized knowledge. When doing this, please consult the [[#Author_suggested_topics|list of "Author suggested topics"]], below.   


'''Step Two.''' Alphabetically list each topic under "[[#Editor nominated topics|Editor nominated topics]]" using the following format (you can simply copy and paste):
'''Step Two.''' Alphabetically list each topic under "[[#Editor nominated topics|Editor nominated topics]]" using the following format (you can simply copy and paste):
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</nowiki></pre>
</nowiki></pre>


Notes: place <nowiki>[[</nowiki> and <nowiki>]]</nowiki> on either side of the article name.  Make your article title ''singular'' (so, prefer [[whale]] to [[whales]]) and ''lowercase'' titles when typically written lowercase (so, prefer [[global warming]] to [[Global Warming]]; but ''[[The Great Gatsby]]'').  The ":" needs to be flush left; it indents a line.  Replace "XYZ" with the name of an existing workgroup, or a workgroup you as editor would like to propose.  Sign your name after "Reviewed by" with three tildes (<nowiki>~~~</nowiki>), and your name <U>and date</U> after "Validated" with four tildes (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>).
<a name="notes">Notes</a>: place <nowiki>[[</nowiki> and <nowiki>]]</nowiki> on either side of the article name.  Make your article title ''singular'' (so, prefer [[whale]] to [[whales]]) and ''lowercase'' titles when typically written lowercase (so, prefer [[global warming]] to [[Global Warming]]; but ''[[The Great Gatsby]]'').  The ":" needs to be flush left; it indents a line.  Replace "XYZ" with the name of an existing workgroup, or a workgroup you as editor would like to propose.  Sign your name after "Reviewed by" with three tildes (<nowiki>~~~</nowiki>), and your name ''and date'' after "Validated" with four tildes (<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>).


For example:
For example:
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'''Step One.'''  Sign up.  If you're a ''Citizendium'' contributor--author or editor--you can sign up to write an article.  Do so simply by typing three tildes (<nowiki>~~~</nowiki>) after "Article writers".  ''More than one person'' can sign up to write a given article.  Indeed, the fact that you have signed up to work on an article gives you no special authorship privileges over that article, but it does represent your commitment to the community that you'll do your best to write 750+ words that are "a credible start" on the topic.
'''Step One.'''  Sign up.  If you're a ''Citizendium'' contributor--author or editor--you can sign up to write an article.  Do so simply by typing three tildes (<nowiki>~~~</nowiki>) after "Article writers".  ''More than one person'' can sign up to write a given article.  Indeed, the fact that you have signed up to work on an article gives you no special authorship privileges over that article, but it does represent your commitment to the community that you'll do your best to write 750+ words that are "a credible start" on the topic.


'''Step Two.''' Get to work!  See [[#What is a ''credible start''?|What is "a credible start"?]], above, to learn what we're aiming at.  ''For purposes of "The Big Write" intiative, please do not submit articles taken from Wikipedia or elsewhere.  This should be your original work.''
'''Step Two.''' Get to work!  See [[#What is a "credible start"?|What is "a credible start"?]], above, to learn what we're aiming at.  ''For purposes of "The Big Write" intiative, please do not submit articles taken from Wikipedia or elsewhere.  This should be your original work.''


'''Step Three.''' Please place [[:Category:Big Write]] on the talk page of the article, so that we can keep track of changes made to these articles from a single place.  
'''Step Three.''' Please place [[:Category:Big Write]] on the talk page of the article, so that we can keep track of changes made to these articles from a single place.  
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== Instructions for author suggestions==
== Instructions for author suggestions==


'''Step One.''' Choose up to three topics that you consider high priority, and about which you are committed to writing ''credible starts''.  
'''Step One.''' Choose up to five topics that you consider high priority, on which you are willing to make a credible start.  Others may sign up to write on the same topic as well.


'''Step Two.''' Alphabetically list each topic under "[[#Author_suggested_topics|Author suggested topics]]" using the following format (you can simply copy and paste):
'''Step Two.''' Alphabetically list each topic under "[[#Author_suggested_topics|Author suggested topics]]" using the following format (you can simply copy and paste):


<pre><nowiki>[[Name of topic]]
<pre><nowiki>[[Name of topic]] --Suggested by: ~~~
:Suggested by: ~~~
:Workgroup(s) (proposed): [[:Category:XYZ Workgroup|XYZ]]
:Writers supporting this suggestion:
:Accepting editor:  
:Accepting editor:  
</nowiki></pre>
</nowiki></pre>
Notes: place <nowiki>[[</nowiki> and <nowiki>]]</nowiki> on either side of the article name.  Make your article title ''singular'' (so, prefer [[whale]] to [[whales]]) and ''lowercase'' titles when typically written lowercase (so, prefer [[global warming]] to [[Global Warming]]; but ''[[The Great Gatsby]]'').  The ":" needs to be flush left; it indents a line.  Sign your name after "Suggested by" with three tildes (<nowiki>~~~</nowiki>). Replace "XYZ" with the name of an existing workgroup or workgroups. To add more than one workgroup, precede it by <nowiki>"::"</nowiki>. To add your support to an author's suggestion, add <nowiki>"::~~~"</nowiki> on a new line after "Writers supporting this suggestion". Editors accept the suggestion after "Accepting editor" with three tildes, (<nowiki>~~~</nowiki>).


For example:
For example:


[[government]]
[[government]] --[[User:Barnaby Smith|Barnaby Smith]]
:Suggested by: [[User:Barnaby Smith|Barnaby Smith]]
:Workgroup(s) (proposed):
::[[:Category:Politics Workgroup|Politics]]
::[[:Category:Philosophy Workgroup|Philosophy]]
::[[:Category:Anthropology Workgroup|Antrhopology]]
:Writers supporting this suggestion: [writers place names here]
:Accepting editor: [[User:Ed Itor|Ed Itor]]
:Accepting editor: [[User:Ed Itor|Ed Itor]]


Please file your suggested topics in alphabetical order and keep track of them.   
Please file your suggested topics in alphabetical order and keep track of them.   


'''Step Three.''' If an editor accepts your suggestion(s), or one you have supported, be prepared to begin a credible start on that topic within the next day or so.
'''Step Three.''' If an editor accepts your suggestion(s), be prepared to begin a credible start on that topic within the next day or so.
 
==Author suggested topics==
<!--ADD YOUR ENTRY ALPHABETICALLY **BELOW** THIS LINE -->
 
[[globalization]]
:Suggested by: [[User:Stephen Ewen|Stephen Ewen]]
:Workgroup(s) (proposed)
::[[:Category:Politics Workgroup|Politics]]
::[[:Category:Sociology_Workgroup|Sociology]]
::[[:Category:Economics Workgroup|Economics]]
::[[:Category:Geography Workgroup|Geography]]
::[[:Category:Anthropology Workgroup|Anthropology]]
::[[:Category:Other_Social_Science_Workgroup|Other Social Science]]
:Writers supporting this suggestion: [writers place names here]
:Accepting editor:


== Editor nominated topics ==
== The Topics ==
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
<div style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
<!--ADD YOUR ENTRY ALPHABETICALLY BELOW THIS LINE -->
<!--ADD YOUR ENTRY ALPHABETICALLY BELOW THIS LINE -->
Line 369: Line 327:


</div>
</div>
==Author suggested topics==
<!--ADD YOUR ENTRY ALPHABETICALLY **BELOW** THIS LINE -->
[[globalization]] --[[User:Stephen Ewen|Stephen Ewen]]
:Accepting editor:


==Questions?==
==Questions?==
If you have any questions, please email Larry at sanger@citizendium.org, or use [[Citizendium Pilot talk:The Big Write|the talk page]].
If you have any questions, please email Larry at sanger@citizendium.org, or use [[Citizendium Pilot talk:The Big Write|the talk page]].

Revision as of 09:40, 24 February 2007

The Big Write is our second in an series of important community-wide initiatives. The Big Speedydelete was the first. In The Big Write, we are aiming to write many credible starts on high priority articles. Everyone is encouraged to participate, but please read this brief document in its entirety if you wish to do so.

For editors, this is an important opportunity, through only minimal work and commitment, to "jump start" work in your areas. For article writers, this is an excellent opportunity to obtain feedback on your work from subject experts. For all Citizendium citizens, both editors and authors, this initiative will help us get to know each other better and "jump start" many workgroups!

We hope through this initiative to create and review dozens of original (non-Wikipedia-based), top priority articles as credible starts. This would be a fine addition to the Citizendium corpus.

How it works

It isn't complicated.

Editors nominate 3-5 "high priority" topics (below) within their field. Articles on these topics shouldn't already exist. Other contributors then sign up to write a "credible start" on the topic. To be a "credible start," an article must be at least 750 words, accurate, unbiased, and well-written (see below). As many people as want to sign up to write on any topic may do so, but everyone who does sign up to write is then obligated to do so (and to begin soon, i.e., within a day or two of signing up). For each nominated topic, the editor is committed to reviewing and (if all goes well) blessing the new article as "a credible start." This is not an approval, but merely the editor's opinion that the article in its present form is on its way to being a good summation of the topic. The editor offers this blessing below.

There is another way to get articles on the list. Authors can suggest topics, which editors may then choose to review. This is a good idea, because an author's suggestion indicates that the author will actually write the article. See "Author suggested topics", below.

We will declare the period of nominations over after they drop off significantly.

What is a "credible start"?

For purposes of this initiative, a credible start is an article that:

  • Is 750 or more words long. (A handy way to calculate number of words is to paste the article text into the form on this page and press the "Calculate Words" button).
  • Contains at least a good introductory section to a future (longer) article.
  • Is Citizendium's original work.

Instructions for editors

Step One. Choose three to five topics in your field(s) that are very high priority, and about which you have some specialized knowledge. When doing this, please consult the list of "Author suggested topics", below.

Step Two. Alphabetically list each topic under "Editor nominated topics" using the following format (you can simply copy and paste):

[[Name of topic]]
:Workgroup(s) (proposed): [[:Category:XYZ Workgroup|XYZ]]
:Reviewed by: ~~~
:Article writers:
:Validated:

<a name="notes">Notes</a>: place [[ and ]] on either side of the article name. Make your article title singular (so, prefer whale to whales) and lowercase titles when typically written lowercase (so, prefer global warming to Global Warming; but The Great Gatsby). The ":" needs to be flush left; it indents a line. Replace "XYZ" with the name of an existing workgroup, or a workgroup you as editor would like to propose. Sign your name after "Reviewed by" with three tildes (~~~), and your name and date after "Validated" with four tildes (~~~~).

For example:

epistemology

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Philosophy
Reviewed by: Ed Itor
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated: Ed Itor 19:00, 21 February 2007 (CST)

Please file your topics in alphabetical order. Since this list might get rather long, you might wish for ease sake to place the name(s) of the topic(s) you're managing on your user page.

Step Three. It is not part of your job to assign authors; they assign themselves. Your role is to offer feedback for improvement, if necessary. The place to do this is on the article's "talk page". For example, if you have nominated an article titled whale, then you should go to Talk:whale. This can be found by navigating to the article and, from there, clicking on the "discussion" tab.

Step Four. Validate the article as a credible start. Do this by writing ~~~~ after "Validated" (see the example above). This indicates that you believe the article is a credible start according to the criteria for validation listed above.

Instructions for article writers

Step One. Sign up. If you're a Citizendium contributor--author or editor--you can sign up to write an article. Do so simply by typing three tildes (~~~) after "Article writers". More than one person can sign up to write a given article. Indeed, the fact that you have signed up to work on an article gives you no special authorship privileges over that article, but it does represent your commitment to the community that you'll do your best to write 750+ words that are "a credible start" on the topic.

Step Two. Get to work! See What is "a credible start"?, above, to learn what we're aiming at. For purposes of "The Big Write" intiative, please do not submit articles taken from Wikipedia or elsewhere. This should be your original work.

Step Three. Please place Category:Big Write on the talk page of the article, so that we can keep track of changes made to these articles from a single place.

Step Four. Submit your work to the editor when you're done with your "credible start." No doubt some editors will be on hand on the "Talk" page of the article. If not, leave a message on the editor's user talk page. If you still get no reply, again go to the editor's user page, look to the left under "toolbox" and try the "E-mail this user" link. If you have any trouble contacting an editor (e.g., if the editor has turned off "E-mail this user"), then send your message to constables@citizendium.org, and the constables will forward your message to the editor.

Then await an editor to validate the article as a credible start, or revise it in accordance with the feedback you receive.

Instructions for author suggestions

Step One. Choose up to five topics that you consider high priority, on which you are willing to make a credible start. Others may sign up to write on the same topic as well.

Step Two. Alphabetically list each topic under "Author suggested topics" using the following format (you can simply copy and paste):

[[Name of topic]] --Suggested by: ~~~
:Accepting editor: 

For example:

government --Barnaby Smith

Accepting editor: Ed Itor

Please file your suggested topics in alphabetical order and keep track of them.

Step Three. If an editor accepts your suggestion(s), be prepared to begin a credible start on that topic within the next day or so.

The Topics

aerodynamics

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Engineering
Reviewed by: Hassan Aref
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

anthropology

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Anthropology
Reviewed by: Alexander Hugo Schulenburg
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

applied anthropology

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Anthropology
Reviewed by: Alexander Hugo Schulenburg
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

Arabidopsis thaliana

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Biology
Reviewed by: Chris Day (Talk)
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

Bioengineering

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Biology Engineering
Reviewed by: Supten
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

blog

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Computers
Reviewed by: Jerome Delacroix
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

chemistry in the kitchen

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Chemistry
Reviewed by: Robert Tito | Talk
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

circadian rhythm

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Biology
Reviewed by: David Tribe
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

Citizendium

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Citizendium
Reviewed by: Supten
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

chloroplast

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Biology
Reviewed by: Chris Day (Talk)
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

Colligative properties

Workgroup(s) Chemistry
Reviewed by: Robert Tito | Talk
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Engineering
Reviewed by: Hassan Aref
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

content management system

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Computers
Reviewed by: Jerome Delacroix
Article writers: Charlie Levenson
Validated:

cultural anthropology

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Anthropology
Reviewed by: Alexander Hugo Schulenburg
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

Distributed computation as alternative to Highperformance Computing

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Computers
Reviewed by: Robert Tito | Talk
Article writers: Nick Johnson
Validated:

Error analysis in physical sciences

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Physics|Chemistry
Reviewed by: Robert Tito | Talk
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

geologic time scale

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Earth Sciences
Reviewed by: Nereo Preto
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

global warming

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Earth Sciences
Reviewed by: Nereo Preto
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:
N.B. The article is top priority overall and I can handle it, but I'm not a researcher in this topic! Perhaps an even more qualified editor exists: go ahead and take it!!! --Nereo Preto 10:44, 22 February 2007 (CST)

hydraulics

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Engineering
Reviewed by: Hassan Aref
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

hemispheric lateralization

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Biology
Reviewed by: Supten
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

hypertension

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Health Sciences
Reviewed by: Anthony Sebastian | Talk
Article writers:
Validated:

mitochondrion

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Biology
Reviewed by: Chris Day (Talk)
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

Molecular physical chemistry of solutions

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Physics|Chemistry
Reviewed by: Robert Tito | Talk
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

natural language processing

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Computers
Reviewed by: Jerome Delacroix
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

nutritional anthropology

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Biology
Reviewed by: Anthony Sebastian | Talk
Article writers:
Validated:

online social network

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Computers
Reviewed by: Jerome Delacroix
Article writers: Charlie Levenson
Validated:

osteoporosis

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Health Sciences
Reviewed by: Anthony Sebastian | Talk
Article writers:
Validated:

placebo

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Healing Arts
Reviewed by: Gareth Leng
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

photosynthesis

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Biology
Reviewed by: Chris Day (Talk)
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

podcast

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Computers
Reviewed by: Jerome Delacroix
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

rheology

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Engineering
Reviewed by: Hassan Aref, Robert Tito | Talk
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

ribosome

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Biology
Reviewed by: David Tribe
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

rock (geology)

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Earth Sciences
Reviewed by: Nereo Preto
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

sexual selection

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Biology
Reviewed by: David Tribe
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

social anthropology

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Anthropology
Reviewed by: Alexander Hugo Schulenburg
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

stress

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Healing Arts
Reviewed by: Gareth Leng
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

turbulence

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Engineering
Reviewed by: Hassan Aref
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

visual anthropology

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Anthropology
Reviewed by: Alexander Hugo Schulenburg
Article writers: [authors place names here]
Validated:

wiki

Workgroup(s) (proposed): Computers
Reviewed by: Jerome Delacroix
Article writers: Larry Sanger
Validated:


Author suggested topics

globalization --Stephen Ewen

Accepting editor:

Questions?

If you have any questions, please email Larry at sanger@citizendium.org, or use the talk page.