User:MeganVTWard/ENG 206: The Victorian Period to the Twentieth Century

This term, our class will contribute (actually contribute!) to Wikipedia by writing articles on literary texts that have been underrepresented. This will help you practice you research and writing skills and increase your knowledge of literary history. It will also help address the content gaps on Wikipedia – that is, areas on Wikipedia that have received less attention due to the interests of the demographic that typically edits Wikipedia.

Ideally, we’ll work in groups of three. Because beginning a new Wikipedia article can be a long process, our class will begin with “stubs,” or articles that have been approved as topics but don’t have much content. I have a list of possible stubs, though I’m also happy for you to pick your own stub. It will be your group’s job to write a full-fledged article in place of the stub. Along the way, you’ll also complete a few other assignments to help you learn how to edit Wikipedia and peer review each other’s work.

Week 1 (2015-04-06):  Wikipedia essentials, Editing basics

 * Overview of the course
 * Introduction to how Wikipedia will be used in the course
 * Understanding Wikipedia as a community, we'll discuss its expectations and etiquette
 * Handout: Editing Wikipedia (available in print or online from the Wiki Education Foundation)


 * Basics of editing
 * Anatomy of Wikipedia articles, what makes a good article, how to distinguish between good and bad articles
 * Collaborating and engaging with the Wiki editing community
 * Tips on finding the best articles to work on for class assignments
 * Handouts: Using Talk Pages handout and Evaluating Wikipedia brochure


 * Create an account and then complete the online training for students. During this training, you will make edits in a sandbox and learn the basic rules of Wikipedia.


 * Create a User page, and then click the "enroll" button on the top left of this course page.


 * To practice editing and communicating on Wikipedia, introduce yourself on the user talk page of one of your classmates, who should also be enrolled in the table at the bottom of the page.
 * Explore topics related to your topic area to get a feel for how Wikipedia is organized. What areas seem to be missing? As you explore, make a mental note of articles that seem like good candidates for improvement.


 * All students have Wikipedia user accounts and are listed on the course page.

Week 2 (2015-04-13):  Exploring the topic area

 * Be prepared to discuss some of your observations about Wikipedia articles your topic area that are missing or could use improvement.
 * Handouts: Choosing an article


 * Add 1–2 sentences of new information, backed up with a citation to an appropriate source, to a Wikipedia article related to the class. UPDATE: this is now due Friday, 5/1.


 * Your instructor has created a list of potential topics for your main project. Choose the one you will work on.

Week 3 (2015-04-27):  Using sources and choosing articles

 * Discuss the topics students will be working on, and determine strategies for researching and writing about them.


 * Talk about Wikipedia culture and etiquette, and (optionally) revisit the concept of sandboxes and how to use them.
 * Q&A session with instructor about interacting on Wikipedia and getting started with writing.

Week 4 (2015-05-04):  Finalizing topics and starting research, Drafting starter articles

 * By the start of our next class, find an article you want to work on and mark the article's talk page with a banner to let other editors know you're working on it. To add the banner, add this code in the top section of the talk page:


 * Add a link to your selected article to the table at the bottom of this course page.


 * Write an outline of the topic in the form of a standard Wikipedia lead section of 3–4 paragraphs in your sandbox. Wikipedia articles use "summary style", in which the lead section provides a balanced summary of the entire body of the article, with the first sentence serving to define the topic and place it in context. The lead section should summarize, very briefly, each of the main aspects of the topic that will be covered in detail in the rest of the article. If you are improving an existing article, draft a new lead section reflecting your proposed changes, and post this along with a brief description of your plans on the article’s talk page. Make sure to check that page often to gather any feedback the community might provide.
 * Begin working with classmates and other editors to polish your lead section and fix any major issues.
 * Continue research in preparation for writing the body of the article.


 * All students have started editing articles or drafts on Wikipedia.

Week 5 (2015-05-11):  Moving articles to the main space

 * We'll discuss moving your article out of your sandboxes and into Wikipedia's main space.
 * Handout: Moving out of your sandbox
 * A general reminder: Don't panic if your contribution disappears, and don't try to force it back in.
 * Check to see if there is an explanation of the edit on the article's talk page. If not, (politely) ask why it was removed.
 * Contact your instructor or Wikipedia Content Expert and let them know.


 * Move your sandbox articles into main space.


 * If you are expanding an existing article, copy your edit into the article. If you are making many small edits, save after each edit before you make the next one. Do NOT paste over the entire existing article, or large sections of the existing article.
 * If you are creating a new article, do NOT copy and paste your text, or there will be no record of your work history. Follow these instructions on how to move your work.


 * Expand your article into an initial draft of a comprehensive treatment of the topic.


 * Select two classmates’ articles that you will peer review and copyedit. On the table at the bottom of this course page, add your username next to the articles you will peer review.
 * Peer review two of your classmates’ articles. Leave suggestions on the article talk pages.
 * Copy-edit the two reviewed articles.

Week 6 (2015-05-18):  Building articles, Creating first draft, Getting and giving feedback

 * Demo uploading images and adding images to articles.
 * Share experiences and discuss problems.
 * Handouts: "Illustrating Wikipedia" (pgs 4-7) and "Evaluating Wikipedia article quality" (handed out originally earlier in the course)


 * Add final touches to your Wikipedia article. You can find a handy reference guide here.


 * Every student has finished reviewing their assigned articles, making sure that every article has been reviewed.

Week 7 (2015-05-25):  Responding to feedback, Continuing to improve articles

 * Students have finished all their work on Wikipedia that will be considered for grading.


 * Every student has finished reviewing their assigned articles, making sure that every article has been reviewed.