User:Dweller/Professional prose

The Featured article criteria include a requirement for professional prose. This is judged at WP:FAC by the reviewers.

This article summarises some of the key issues reviewers are assessing, when deeming whether an article is written in "professional prose".

Grammar and spelling

• The English must be grammatically correct
• No typos and other spelling errors
• A consistent and appropriate version of localised English must be used
• Conforms to Wikipedia's Manual of Style
• Shall not have redundant wording or modifiers. E.g. "completely destroy," or "consensus of opinion."
• Shall not use modifiers to modify unmodifiable words. E.g. "more unique," or "entirely new."

Fluency

• The prose should flow naturally within sections
• Ideally, sections should naturally follow one another or be appropriately grouped

Conciseness

• An appropriate but concise amount of text should be used to express each point in the article, without excess of adjectives (either positive or denigatory) and without belabouring the point.

Technical language v dumbing down

• Some articles require judicious use of technical terminology. The reader should have an opportunity to understand the first instance of each term, either by explanation, or through an appropriate wikilink
• While excess jargon can be unreadable, it is equally unacceptable to 'dumb down' a topic, except where there is specific need, e.g. Introduction to... articles

See also

+Tony's essay