WikiIslam:Writing Style Guide: Difference between revisions

WikiIslam is an objective and neutral, encyclopedic source of information about Islam. As such the tone of its writing and the use of its sources directly impact its mission. Writers for WikiIslam should collect and present the relevant information

from the cited sources. Conclusions may be included but not original research; all conclusions must be taken from the relevant sources. When divergent views exist within expert opinion,

both sides should be included so far as possible and the conclusion should encourage the reader to draw their own conclusions/investigate further. It should go without saying, however to be explicit extremely generalizing,

hateful, or otherwise insulting statements against any group of people (including against Muslims) are specifically not allowed and continued use of such language may result in a permanent ban.

Overall, the tone should be encyclopedic and neutral. The facts should be presented "as is" with only as much commentary is needed to elucidate any given point or give relevant background information, and the tone of the writing should be that of an encyclopedia entry describing a fact about the world we live in, not a polemic trying to convince the reader of a given point or a conversation with a friendly acquittance. Articles must adhere to the encyclopedia format and should address the topic at hand directly and neutrally; articles engaged in a particular argument and attempting to persuade the reader of one side will not be permitted. Speaking directly to the reader should be avoided if at all possible, and the use of the 1st person "we" should likewise be avoided if at all possible. Although the wiki covers some controversial topics the goal of its language should be to keep anyone reading as long as possible without causing any offense. This does NOT mean that the content of the article should "pull punches" or avoid controversial topics that might hurt the feelings of Muslims or any other group of people, however the word choice should not be such that a person from any given group immediately stop reading due to the diction alone.