User:Joe Quick/Sandbox

Article style

All entries at Citizendium should engage their subjects comprehensively, neutrally and objectively to the greatest degree possible. Writing comprehensively entails providing full explanations of all facets of an article's subject that experts judge significant. Furthermore, each topic should be represented as a complex whole rather than a simple conglomeration of its parts: a good Citizendium article will explain how different aspects of a topic fit together as well as applications and connections to other topics. It will also be neutral, which means the article will not align with any one position if there is controversy amongst experts concerning some aspect of the article's topic. Instead, it will remain objective, describing each relevant position without skewing the narrative toward the personal beliefs or positions of the author(s). In short, articles should present the big picture, including all relevant perspectives, and should be written carefully and without bias. Citizendium is not a place for advocacy or for advertisement.

The Citizendium community recognizes the special role that subject matter experts play in assuring that the site’s contents meet these standards. We recognize two important types of expertise: broad knowledge and deep knowledge. Experts with broad knowledge of one or more domains of knowledge help us ensure that the topics of our articles are presented in the scientific, philosophical, cultural and methodological contexts in which professionals discuss them. Experts with deep knowledge of specific topics help us make sure that we have all of the relevant facts and that we present them correctly. Many people have both types of knowledge. Official recognition of expertise shall be based on guidelines established by the Editorial Council.

Though expertise is valued, unnecessarily complicated writing is not. Citizendium material is intended to be accessible to the general public and should be composed so as to maximize accessibility. The basic content provided at the Citizendium is intended for an audience with completed secondary education. More specialized content is welcome but it should be written without unnecessary jargon or unnecessarily recondite language and it must be placed in context.

As far as possible, special needs of visually or otherwise impaired users and of machines will be taken into account.

Article development

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The collaborative aspect of

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