User talk:Ctaylor26

Using quotations
Hello, Ctaylor26, and thanks for your contributions! I'm happy to see an interest in improving Wikipedia's articles. :) I did want to have a brief word with you about how we incorporate quotations on Wikipedia, as it seems like all of the content you added to 16th Street Baptist Church bombing were quotes.

While quotes are certainly welcome on Wikipedia - they're actually essential, I think, to building a good reference work - the bulk of material you add should summarize reliable sources in your own words. We really only use quotes from copyrighted content (like most news articles and reference works) when we need "to illustrate a point, establish context, or attribute a point of view or idea." So, we would possibly use a quote (as you did) to note that "'Bull' Connor's methods were brutal," because this is an opinion. You should say in the article who said so, though, and be careful that it doesn't look like Wikipedia agrees. They may very well have been, but our job here is to be as neutral as we can. But we don't need to use a quote for straightforward information, such as how many people are injured or when something occurred. There's some good information about how to use quotations on Wikipedia at Quotations. I hope you'll find it helpful!

I also hope you will continue to contribute and will enjoy helping to build the encyclopedia. If you need assistance as you go, you may find the volunteers at WP:TEAHOUSE very friendly and welcoming. They're there to help newcomers acclimate to the work. :) --Moonriddengirl (talk) 19:15, 29 January 2013 (UTC)