User:Awkwafaba/HowTo

This guide will help you write a decent article about a particular taxon.

Before you begin
First step is to make sure that an article does not already exist. This may seem trivial, but the article may be under a common name or a synonym. You'll want to include these names in your article anyway, so better to check before you spend time writing an article that already exists. Often the taxon will have an entry at WikiData which should have links to various taxonomic databases which list the names and synonyms for the taxon. Double-check the spelling and capitalization, as you or your source may have made a typo that won't let you find the article or WikiData item. Do not worry too much at this point if there is no item at WikiData: it can be created later.

Next create the article in your [ ] or in Draft space. Again, check your spelling. Try to follow the Manual of Style guidelines.

Start with templates
The two most helpful templates in any taxon article are the Taxonbar and the Automated taxobox. All taxon articles should have both.

Taxonbar
The taxonbar goes at the bottom, right before the categories, and displays the taxonomic databases listed at WikiData. Adding this early saves you some clicking later on. If there is an entry at Wikidata, copy the Q code like this:  If there is no entry at Wikidata, just omit the Q code and it can be added later.

Automated taxoboxes
All articles on taxa must have a taxobox. There are several different automatic taxobox templates, but the most common are Speciesbox for species of cellular life, and Automatic taxobox for higher clades. The automated taxobox system may seem difficult, but in most cases it is easier than the old, manual system. If you need help, add Cleanup taxobox or Missing-taxobox, and ask for assistance at Taxobox task force.

If possible, wikilink the name of the taxonomer. You should also cite the original paper with the Species description. Use Citation Style 1 templates if possible, as these are easiest to maintain.

Research
Remember all the common names and synonyms you found? These are your search terms. Google Scholar is a good place to start. Also check your local library. WorldCat will also show you books at other libraries that you may be able to request through interlibrary loan. WorldCat often has links to online copies of articles as well. Check the references in the articles you read, too. Also worth checking out is the Wikipedia Library. If you have trouble accessing a source, try WikiProject Resource Exchange/Resource Request or /r/Scholar on Reddit.