Wikiversity:Manual of Style

From Wikiversity

This page is a proposed Wikiversity policy, guideline, or process. The proposal may still be in development, under discussion, or in the process of gathering consensus for adoption. References or links to this page should only describe it as a "proposal".

Shortcut: WV:MOS

The Manual of Style is a set of guidelines for the formatting of articles on Wikiversity, currently based loosely on Wikipedia's manual of style.

Contents 1 Article names 2 Headings 2.1 Syntax 2.2 Conventions 2.3 Formatting 3 Here is a title 4 Here is another title 5 Here is a title 6 See also

[edit] Article names

Please follow Wikiversity:Naming conventions for naming articles. In general, remember the following:

• Article names should not contain special characters like &, |, -, / and + (there are exceptions, such as the C++ programming language, or when making subpages)
• For articles within the main namespace pages, only the first letter should be capitalized unless the words are referring to a proper noun, or unless the entire word is capitalized, for example in an acronym, like "PHP".
• Spaces should be used appropriately, and will be automatically converted to underscores. For example, Main Page and not MainPage or mainPage

Where appropriate, the article name can also be bolded if it occurs within the first paragraph.

[edit] Headings

Liberal use of headings is encouraged. Semicolons can be used but, as they cannot be linked to as sections of an article appropriately, using the equal sign method is preferred. Articles should, where at all possible, be split into subsections of reasonable length, separated by headings surrounded by two equals signs.

[edit] Syntax

Following is an example of the Mediawiki syntax for headings:

Introductory paragraph.

== Heading ==
Text.

== Heading ==
Text.

Subsections can be created by using three or four equals signs, with four being parsed as a lower heading level than three. For example

Introductory paragraph.

== Heading ==
Text.

=== Subheading ===
Text.

=== Subheading ===
Text.

==== Deeper subheading ====
Text.

== Heading ==
Text.

[edit] Conventions

• Only the first letter of a heading title should be capitalised (with the exception of acronyms)
• It is suggested that headings do not contain special characters, as when linked to they are converted to a format suitable for URLs which can be confusing for visitors
• Follow the previous headings in terms of heading level - don't jump from two equals signs to four equals signs
• Only use one equals sign in special cases, where warranted. This is part of the Mediawiki software, but is a rather large and obtrusive header, and is unnecessary. If in doubt, use two equals signs.
• Keep headings short; one to two words is enough
• Do not repeat titles or significant parts thereof (exceptions include numbering, e.g. appending integers or roman numerals to headings)

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[edit] Formatting

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Wikiversity is not Wikipedia

Wikiversity uses the same formatting capability as Wikipedia. Some Wikiversity instructors feel that using the basic outline of an encyclopedia is not conducive to creating attractive and appealing lessons. They want more than just paragraph after paragraph of unformatted text.

Therefore, some instructors use creative ways to enhance the appearance of their pages. By looking through all the possible formatting options in the help section, you will begin to find ways to make your pages more attractive. Even placing a simple colon at the beginning of long lines helps readability.

Developing standards

Currently, there are no standards at Wikiversity for page formatting. Therefore, each instructor develops with his or her own preference for the appearance of a lesson page, a table of contents, and a reference page, etc.

A simple example:

Here is a simple example:

[edit] Here is a title A subtitle Lots of wonderful text. Even more text. Great text is the best text but marvelous text is even better yet. Text text text text text. Another subtitle Lots of wonderful text. Even more text. Even more text. Even more text. Even more text. Even more text. Text text text text text. Text text text text text. Text text text text text. [edit] Here is another title A subtitle Lots of wonderful text. Even more text. Even more text. Even more text. Even more text. Even more text. Text text text text text.

[edit] Here is a title Here is a subtitle Lots of wonderful text. Even more text. Even more text. Even more text. Even more text. Even more text. Even more text. Text text text text text. Lots of wonderful text. Even more text. Even more text.

Better looking

As you can see, this is much more colorful and appealing than most of the pages at Wikiversity. But you will have to decide how much formatting will create the best learning environment for your students. Robert Elliott 03:42, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] See also