User:Gryllida/Article/Create/SourceList

This is an experiment that aims to help newcomers with retrieving sources and writing a new article.

Add your writing (sources and descriptions) to Special:MyPage/sandbox.

What: a list of sources and information about them without headings or pictures etc

A sources list is an initial phase of article creation that comprises of a list of sources and information about these sources. Unlike an article, this information is grouped by source and not by meaning. Unlike an article, the sources list is a sequence of paragraphs which does not contain headings or info-boxes.

When: at the start of writing a new article

A sources list may be created as a first step, before writing article content.

Why: assess notability and increase chances of article inclusion

Sources list helps you get an overview of information available on the web about the article subject. A sources list also helps you analyse the source type and authorship and their impact on the relevance and accuracy of the provided information. All of this helps with passing the notability checks and achieving neutral point of view and pass verifiability, which increase the likelyhood of article publication.

How: collect sources, add information about each, re-read, repeat

1. Collect your sources. In the first step you collect several sources which speak about the article subject. Simply provide these sources, one source per line, until you have about a handful.

   Tips:

   • Provide source URLs.
   • One source URL per line.
   • Look for sources from different authors.
   • Search via Google, Google News, and Google Books.

   EXAMPLE:

   • https://books.google.com/books?id=eWo2AAAAQBAJ&pg=PT73&lpg=PT73&dq=Alex+Chilton+on+Roger+McGuinn&source=bl&ots=FdVJR8krZ6&sig=Xfg_8h6vOah1lDtLIqWdBjF8vuU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ZWtfVdDGHcKzggSc_oHIBg&ved=0CDIQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=Alex%20Chilton%20on%20Roger%20McGuinn&f=false

   NOTE: You may have more than five sources.

2. Describe your sources.

   Tips:

   • Specify the source date.
   • Specify the source author.
   • Specify what information about article subject is provided in the source.
   • Is the source peer reviewed? This may include some news, publications, books. This does not include Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, official websites.

   EXAMPLE:

   • https://books.google.com/books?id=eWo2AAAAQBAJ&pg=PT73&lpg=PT73&dq=Alex+Chilton+on+Roger+McGuinn&source=bl&ots=FdVJR8krZ6&sig=Xfg_8h6vOah1lDtLIqWdBjF8vuU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ZWtfVdDGHcKzggSc_oHIBg&ved=0CDIQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=Alex%20Chilton%20on%20Roger%20McGuinn&f=false
     • Author: Holly George-Warren.
     • What information: "Some of ALEX's guitar playing techniques were believed to have been influenced by a chance meeting with Roger McGuinn at a friend's apartment in New York when ALEX was impressed with McGuinn's singing and playing".
     • Peer reviewed: yes.

3. Re-read. Re-read the sources that you have written and the information they provide. Is it sufficient for a clear and comprehensive picture of the article subject? Does the picture show the connection of the article subject with the outside world? This can be things like awards received by a person or a business, user reception and reviews, the impact of a particular activity, the application of an engineering concept or a mathematical formula.
4. Repeat: do steps 1 to 3 again and again as many times as you like.
5. Ask for feedback. Visit #wikipedia-en-help ^connect to ask for feedback.
6. Start: Once the list of sources looks good to you (and/or to a volunteer who is helping you with your writing), start writing the article. Use headings and inline numbered citations.