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[[Content sources]] | [[Content sources]] | ||
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*Proof as much as possible what you write or copy. It means that you should not take anything for granted especially what is found on web sites even the popular wikipedia and monstrous.com. Don't forget we want to become the most authoritative source about monsters. | *Proof as much as possible what you write or copy. It means that you should not take anything for granted especially what is found on web sites even the popular wikipedia and monstrous.com. Don't forget we want to become the most authoritative source about monsters. | ||
*Last but not least, if you cut and paste, make sure that there are no copyright issues. | *Last but not least, if you cut and paste, make sure that there are no copyright issues. | ||
==The rules== | ==The rules== | ||
Because of the nature of the wiki, we can name creature independently from the choice of a restrictive category. But we also have to apply some rules so that Monstropedia does not become an anarchic mess. These rules are the following, every new creature that would not be entered respecting these simple rules won't qualify. We will create the appropriate template to help you comply with these guidelines. | Because of the nature of the wiki, we can name creature independently from the choice of a restrictive category. But we also have to apply some rules so that Monstropedia does not become an anarchic mess. These rules are the following, every new creature that would not be entered respecting these simple rules won't qualify. We will create the appropriate template to help you comply with these guidelines. | ||
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*Newly-added creatures have to have reached a certain level of notoriety, the thresfold of 100 000 believers/witness is to be considered here (which is the size of a little city, not a small village !). There will be regional sections to deal with local ghosts. | *Newly-added creatures have to have reached a certain level of notoriety, the thresfold of 100 000 believers/witness is to be considered here (which is the size of a little city, not a small village !). There will be regional sections to deal with local ghosts. | ||
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*Names can sometimes be controversial because of perceived negative cultural connotations, historical conflicts or territorial disputes. However, Monstropedia does not take sides in a political controversy or determine what is something or someone's true, proper name. What this encyclopedia does, rather, is to describe the controversy. | *Names can sometimes be controversial because of perceived negative cultural connotations, historical conflicts or territorial disputes. However, Monstropedia does not take sides in a political controversy or determine what is something or someone's true, proper name. What this encyclopedia does, rather, is to describe the controversy. | ||
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Ex : Calgavs is a demon in buddhist mythology, he has to be listed in the demons index as well as the index of mythology / tibet. | Ex : Calgavs is a demon in buddhist mythology, he has to be listed in the demons index as well as the index of mythology / tibet. | ||
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*'''Element''': which main element(s) - air, water, fire, earth, blood, stone, metal,... | *'''Element''': which main element(s) - air, water, fire, earth, blood, stone, metal,... | ||
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*lead section which is brief but sufficient to summarize the entire topic | *lead section which is brief but sufficient to summarize the entire topic | ||
*Overview focusing more on the core of the subject, rather than the complete range | *Overview focusing more on the core of the subject, rather than the complete range | ||
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covering the major aspects of the topic (be sure to use headers!) | covering the major aspects of the topic (be sure to use headers!) | ||
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*Stories : you can cut and past whole stories if there are less than 5000 characters | *Stories : you can cut and past whole stories if there are less than 5000 characters | ||
Latest revision as of 16:31, 4 January 2009
How to write a good new article about a creature
The sources
A list of recommended online sources will be placed at the beginning of each category. Each editor will check the recommended sources and use it as inspiration to write the article.
About cut and paste
- If the corresponding Wikipedia article is perfect, you may just cut and paste it but it is always better to rewrite an article so it fits with the general monstropedia philosophy . Please use the monster template to organize the chunks of information
- Don't forget to quote what the source of what you copy
- If you just cut and paste, try to do it in an intelligent way by reorganizing the content or including excepts from different sources.
- Proof as much as possible what you write or copy. It means that you should not take anything for granted especially what is found on web sites even the popular wikipedia and monstrous.com. Don't forget we want to become the most authoritative source about monsters.
- Last but not least, if you cut and paste, make sure that there are no copyright issues.
The rules
Because of the nature of the wiki, we can name creature independently from the choice of a restrictive category. But we also have to apply some rules so that Monstropedia does not become an anarchic mess. These rules are the following, every new creature that would not be entered respecting these simple rules won't qualify. We will create the appropriate template to help you comply with these guidelines.
Is my creature acceptable ?
- Check if the creature is not already referenced under a different name, this happens all the time !. It is better to improve an existing entry than to add confusing articles on the same subject.
- Please don't list any creature of those role-playing games in the main index, you may list in the subsection called Fiction/Games
- Newly-added creatures have to have reached a certain level of notoriety, the thresfold of 100 000 believers/witness is to be considered here (which is the size of a little city, not a small village !). There will be regional sections to deal with local ghosts.
Naming the monster
- When naming a creature, disambiguation is recommended as the same creature can have many different names and different creatures may have some names in common. Ex: a yeti is not a bigfoot and a familiar is also an imp.
- Make use of the most popular/accepted name as the title of the article related to the creature and create the corresponding redirect pages for the other names. It is made by adding the tag REDIRECT:page name between double brackets . Don’t forget that naming a creature by his true name is always more powerful.
- Names can sometimes be controversial because of perceived negative cultural connotations, historical conflicts or territorial disputes. However, Monstropedia does not take sides in a political controversy or determine what is something or someone's true, proper name. What this encyclopedia does, rather, is to describe the controversy.
Listing the creature
Each creature has to be added to the respective lists of its respective categorie(s) and subcategorie(s). These lists serve as index for each section and subsection.
Ex : Calgavs is a demon in buddhist mythology, he has to be listed in the demons index as well as the index of mythology / tibet.
Labelling the creature
Please mention the type, culture, morpho, element and author when they are relevant and list them in the appropriate categories.
- Type: what type of creature - the main 9 categories
- Mythology: Which culture of origin - cross folklore/mythology index
- Element: which main element(s) - air, water, fire, earth, blood, stone, metal,...
Basic guidelines to organize the content of an article
The article describing the creature should contains the following sections when they are relevant. The ordre of the appearance of the sections can vary according to the subject or the editor’s feeling.
Labels
- Classification elements (type, culture, morpho, element and author)
- Category/subcategory Ex: put the tag [Goetia demon] for Orobas
Brief intro
- lead section which is brief but sufficient to summarize the entire topic
- Overview focusing more on the core of the subject, rather than the complete range
Detailed sections
covering the major aspects of the topic (be sure to use headers!)
Nature
- Lore : countries where the belief of the monster is/was present
- Etymology : origin of the name
- Iconography : please add an image - use the following tag and upload a picture after you have published the article -
- Description/Morphology
- Family : Does the creature belongs to a given family of creature ? (Medusa is a gorgon). Is the monster a generic names for several different creatures ? (the gorgons were three sisters).
- Element
- Powers/Weaknesses
- Behavior : is it good or evil with humans, describe his behavior, habits or tricks.
- Places : where is/was the creature to be found ?
- Friends/Predator/Preys
History/Beliefs
- Author(s): list the main sources
- Chronology
- Events
- Famous
- Stories : you can cut and past whole stories if there are less than 5000 characters
Theories and analysis
- Theories about origin and existence
- Modern searchings
- Organizations
- Recent discoveries
Art/Fiction
- Paintings
- Literature
- Music
- Popular culture
- Movies
- Games
- Sources
- External links to relevant sites of interest
- See also
- List of links to other relevant Monstropedia articles
- Add the relevant that fit, but not too many.
For instance, Medusa should be associated with the articles Gorgon and Perseus.
Categories
Dont forget to label your category : monstrotype/mythology/element
For instance, Medusa, the Greek gorgon monster should be listed in the following categories:
- Greek mythology
- Legendary creatures
- Hybrids