Editing Brighter Shores:Stubs (section)

== Editing a stub ==
When editing a stub, there are a few things you should remember.

# Follow the standards of correct English. Write in full, clear sentences.
# Give a clear, precise definition or description of your topic.
# Avoid [[Wikipedia:Fallacies of definition|fallacies of definition]]. For articles about non-concepts (e.g., about kingdoms and cities), definitions are impossible, so begin with a clear, helpful, informative description of the subject. State what cities are in the kingdom, what it is known for, basic details of popular places, etc. A good definition or description may encourage potential contributors by suggesting the limits of the article, indirectly summarising what needs to be done. For example, '''''Salvador Allende''' was the President of Chile from 1970 until 1973'' would be a good description.
# Make sure any relevant linkable words have been linked.
# Submit the article with a Summary Comment that will attract the attention of others to your stub. If nothing else, copy and paste the stub itself into the Summary field when you save your article.
# Feel some responsibility for your stub article. There is a fine line between helping by outlining what needs to be done, and being annoying by not doing anything yourself. If nobody contributes to your stub for a few weeks, roll up your sleeves and expand it yourself. Take the fact that nobody has contributed as a hint that your stub might not have been that great, and if nothing else, try to make it a better stub.

Admittedly, these guidelines are in some sense irrelevant because no matter what you do, someone will probably fix the article for you. That's the beauty of a wiki! But if you want to contribute something positive, and you cannot write the whole article yourself, then at least let your contribution be an invitation to participation.