User:Kthapelo/Instructions

This page is a set of directions on what kind of information needs to be gathered in order to begin creating a quality article on Wikipedia. While some information simply adds flavor to an article other information is critical without which a new article or addition to an existing article can have little hope of surviving. Each will be discussed below.

Original Text
Write your own article. 250-500 words is a good Stub size. Original text will lend credence to your article. The official Wikipedia guideline states that:
 * Duplicating the work of others without credit, whether on purpose or by accident, brings both the duplicator and the publisher of the duplication into disrepute.
 * A useful encyclopedia cites its sources so that readers can check the material for themselves.
 * A credible encyclopedia does not silently present content copied from elsewhere as though it were original.
 * The silent inclusion of copied content may pose legal problems for readers who re-use Wikipedia content, even if the text is "public domain" in the United States, which governs Wikipedia. Whether or not something is copyright-free in some country depends on the laws of individual countries.
 * Subject matter experts may be discouraged from supporting or joining a project that fails to give credit to their work and that of their colleagues.

Reliable sources
In order for your article to be included in Wikipedia long term it has to show notability. One commonly excepted way of doing that is by referencing any mention of your chosen subject in newspapers, books, and magazines. For more information about what is considered a reliable source please see the Wikipedia guideline page.

Pictures
Before uploading your own pictures please consider using some of the amazing pictures from Wikimedia Commons. If they don't have what you need over there you should be aware that Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. Any original pictures that you intend to use to flavor an article should be accompanied by a release from the Artist/ Photographer who provided the image.

A good example of a release would like this:
 * Dear Sir or Madam: I hereby assert that I am the creator and/or sole owner of the exclusive copyright of WORK “NAME OF PICTURE”.
 * I agree to publish that work under the free license Own work, all rights, released (Multi-license GFDL, CC-Y all versions).
 * I acknowledge that I grant anyone the right to use the work in a commercial product and to modify it according to their needs, provided that they abide by the terms of the license and any other applicable laws.
 * I am aware that I always retain copyright of my work, and retain the right to be attributed in accordance with the license chosen. Modifications others make to the work will not be attributed to me.
 * I acknowledge that I cannot withdraw this agreement, and that the content may or may not be kept permanently on a Wikimedia project.
 * Signature Date
 * NAME

General Biography
Please fill out the following general biography information to be included in a summary box on the right hand side of the article. For more fields please see the template page.
 * name       =
 * image      =
 * alt        =
 * caption    =
 * birth_name =
 * birth_date = Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD
 * birth_place =
 * death_date = Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD (death date then birth date
 * death_place =
 * nationality =
 * other_names =
 * known_for  =
 * occupation =

Musicians
Please fill out the following musical biography information to be included in a summary box on the right hand side of the article. For more fields please see the template page.

For articles about individuals

 * name               =
 * background         = **Mandatory** Use one: solo_singer, non_vocal_instrumentalist, non_performing_personnel, or temporary
 * birth_name         =
 * alias              =
 * birth_date         = birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD
 * birth_place        =
 * origin             =
 * death_date         = death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD
 * death_place        =
 * genre              =
 * occupation         =
 * instrument         =
 * years_active       = YYYY–YYYY (or –present)
 * label              =
 * associated_acts    =
 * website            =
 * notable_instruments =

For articles about musical groups

 * name           =
 * background     = **Mandatory** Use one: group_or_band, cover_band, classical_ensemble, or temporary
 * alias          =
 * origin         =
 * genre          =
 * years_active   = start date|YYYY – end date|YYYY  (or –present)
 * label          =
 * associated_acts =
 * website        =
 * current_members =
 * past_members   =

Internet Businesses
Please fill out the following internet business information to be included in a summary box on the right hand side of the article. For more fields please see the template page.
 * company_name    =
 * company_type    =
 * foundation      =
 * founder         =
 * location        =
 * area_served     =
 * key_people      =
 * products        =
 * services        =
 * owner           =
 * num_employees   =
 * company_slogan  =
 * url             =
 * alexa           =
 * language        =
 * launch_date     =
 * current_status  =
 * footnotes       =

Brick and Morter
Please fill out the following business information to be included in a summary box on the right hand side of the article. For more fields please see the template page.
 * name            =
 * type            =
 * foundation      =
 * founder         =
 * location_city   =
 * location_country =
 * area_served     =
 * key_people      =
 * industry        =
 * owner           =
 * num_employees   =
 * homepage        =