Help:Create an Entry

Adapted from Wikipedia

Before Creating a New Entry:

• Try editing existing articles on OutHistory.org to get a feel for the software.
• Search OutHistory.org first to make sure that an article does not already exist on the subject. If the article does exist and it is unprotected, make any additions or edits you consider necessary or important.
• Gather references to provide proof for your statements and support your arguments. Historical articles that do not meet OutHistory.org's standards by citing reliable published sources are likely to be deleted.
• Find historical documents, photographs, audio and video clips to make your page engaging

How To Create a New Entry:

First you must create an account as an OutHistory.org user. Then there are two ways to create a new page:

• Option 1: You can type the title of your new page directly into the address bar: http://209.200.244.13/wiki/ (write your title here)

• Option 2: You can also create a link on another page to your new page. After you save this edit, simply click on the link to get to your new, blank page.

Note: The interlinking of pages is what makes the entire site function therefore we recommend that you create a new page from an existing page (Option 2). If you choose to create a page indirectly by way of the Search Box or through the Address bar, remember to link it an existing, related page or add a few categories so that other users can find your page.

Parts of a Complete Entry Include:

1 Title

• see Titles for suggestions

2 Protected or Open Entry Tag

Every page on the site needs to have a Protected or Open Entry tag:

PROTECTED ENTRY: This entry by a named creator or site administrator can be changed only by that creator and site administrators, so they are responsible for its accuracy, coverage, evidence, and clarity. Please do use this entry's Comment section at the bottom of the page to suggest improvements. Thanks.

OPEN ENTRY: This entry is open to collaborative creation by anyone with evidence, citations, and analysis to share, so no particular, named creator is responsible for the accuracy and cogency of its content. Please use this entry's Comment section at the bottom of the page to suggest improvements about which you are unsure. Thanks.

These tags alert the user to the difference between pages created by a named author and pages to which any user can contribute.

Protected pages by a named author are created in consultation with OutHistory.org staff. These pages must also be locked in addition to having the "Protected" tag.

3 Headings

For a top-level heading, put it on a separate line surrounded by '=='. For example:

  ==Introduction==

Subheadings use '===', '====', and so on.

4 Text

• Try to make your writing as clear as possible
• Adjust your formatting for the web. For example, avoid lengthy paragraphs which are hard to read on a computer screen.
• See Paragraph Spacing

5 References

• Cite all information, arguments and images drawn from other sources in your footnotes
• See Citations

6 Categories

• Browse existing categories and subcategories to see which apply to your article
• Be sure to include decade, century and time period categories if they apply to your article
• If there are people, places, events mentioned in your article which are not already listed as subcategories, feel free to create new subcategories for them
• See Categories

7 Article Timeline

• Be sure to fill in the "Article timeline" at the bottom of the page so that users doing time searches will find your article

8 Synopsis

• A synopsis shows up under the title when users are doing a search
• Your synopsis must no more than 250 characters
• See Synopses

8 Internal Links

• Linking your page to other pages on the OutHistory.org website will improve the website's usability and diret more users to your page