User:SpacemanSpiff/CopyingFAQ

Frequently asked questions

1. Are there any rules to adding content to a Wikipedia article?

   Yes, very simple stuff actually. Any time you add content, make sure that what you add is verifiable and is sourced to a reliable source like a text book, journal article, newspaper article etc and is written in neutral language -- meaning that it just explains the topic without taking any position on the issue.

2. Great to know that I can use a text book as a reference. Can I copy from it?

   No, you will have to write the content in your own words -- you will have to paraphrase it. e.g. Imagine you find this source: Singh, R. A. (2006). Chhote Lal Khatri (ed.). R.K. Narayan: reflections and re-evaluation. Sarup & Sons. p. 1. ISBN 9788176257138., and you think this passage from the book deserves to be included in the article on The Financial Expert:

   The Financial Expert, the sixth novel published in 1952 is regarded as the masterpiece of R. K. Narayan's greatest single comic creation. It is in five parts corresponding to the five acts of an Elizabethean drama. The Financial Expert is well construed in the racy, realistic and sympathetic style of a comedy. It is about the rise and fall of Margayya, a money-lender of Malgudi.

   One acceptable way to insert this content on to The Financial Expert would be to add the following in the relevant part of the article:

   "''The Financial Expert'' is five part comedic novel authored by [[R. K. Narayan]]. The story revolves around a money-lender, detailing his successes and troubles and is set in the town of [[Malgudi]]. It was released in 1952.<ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=R. A.|editor= Chhote Lal Khatri|title=R.K. Narayan: reflections and re-evaluation|publisher=Sarup & Sons|date=2006|isbn=9788176257138|p=1|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=x8BwVbOEiGwC&lpg=PP1&dq=r.%20k.%20narayan&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

   When you add the above, it will show as

   The Financial Expert is five part comedic novel authored by R. K. Narayan. The story revolves around a money-lender, detailing his successes and troubles and is set in the town of Malgudi. It was released in 1952.

   In the above example, the content you have added is verifiable, neutral in tone, sourced to a reliable source and suitably paraphrased to not resemble the source text.

3. Hmmm, that's sad. I saw this really nice generic introduction on List of international cricket five-wicket hauls by Glenn McGrath and thought it would make a good addition to the List of international cricket five-wicket hauls by Anil Kumble. Is there no way I can add it in the other article without having to rewrite it?

   Actually you can. Wikipedia content is licensed under CC-BY-SA or GFDL (the text at the bottom of the source article will tell you which) and you can therefore copy content from one article to another, but you will have to attribute the source.

   So you want to copy the following text:

   "In cricket, a five-wicket haul (also known as a "five–for" or "fifer")[1][2] refers to a bowler taking five or more wickets in a single innings. This is regarded as a notable achievement,[3] and fewer than 30 bowlers have taken more than 15 five-wicket hauls at international level in their cricketing careers.[4][5]"

   Click edit on the McGrath list and copy the text. Next, open the Kumble list in a new tab/window and click edit and paste the text in your desired location. Do not save yet. Now go back to the "history" tab of the McGrath article and click on the top most time/date - A version of the page will appear shortly, copy the hyperlink from this and go to the Kumble list. Now insert "Copied from <hyperlink> List of international cricket five-wicket hauls by Glenn McGrath in that little text box that says "Edit summary". Now press save. That's all there is to it. (See the history of List of international cricket five-wicket hauls by Anil Kumble to see how this attribution looks).

4. I heard that it's ok to copy material from sources that are in public domain. Is that not correct?

   You heard correct. However, if you copy material from them without stating that you are copying material from them then that's plagiarism. Also note that "public domain" does not mean available to the public etc. It means that the creator of the content has explicitly authorised anyone to use it or the copyright for that work has expired. A text book published in 1980, although available in public libraries, college libraries or just available for you to read without any charge is still not public domain material and should not be confused as such. An example of a public domain source is the NASA website --www.nasa.gov (Note: Even on that website there could be material that is not in the public domain.)

   Let's say you find this article when you're looking at the NASA website. You find it very interesting and want to add parts of it to Solar Dynamics Observatory. You can copy the text you wish to add, then add it to the article. Once you finish pasting the text, add "The above article has been adapted from the public domain work from NASA, Solar Dynamics Observatory: Something New On the Sun: SDO Spots a Late Phase in Solar Flares", then on the "edit summary" text box add "copied from PD source -- NASA, http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sdo/news/late-phase-flares.html and then save. (PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS WITH THE ARTICLE, THIS IS JUST FOR ILLUSTRATION.)

5. Can you tell me what sources I can copy from?

   No. There aren't any sources you can copy from; some you can copy from with attribution (like most parts of NASA), but there's no standard list. However, please note that you can not copy from the following for sure (this list is not exhaustive):

   Government websites

   School/college/university websites

   Text books

   Newspapers, magazines, journals, news websites

   Other books

   Websites, newsletters of NGOs

   Blogs

   Other encyclopaedias

   General websites, topic specific websites

6. OK. But can I write an essay and put it up on the article?

   No, Wikipedia does not allow original research. We require all content to be verifiable through reliable sources.

7. But I'm doing my thesis and I've done a lot of research for it, can't I upload that?

   Not right now. Wikipedia requires secondary sources to discuss your work. So, when you publish your thesis, and if other sources such as Times of India or The Hindu or a book by an author who is notable in that field discusses it, then we can add content to an article, sourced to the secondary source.

8. I get it now. Is that all?

   Yup, for the purpose of your course related editing this list is fine. However, don't forget to read the Welcome page as that provides a more comprehensive look on our policies and guidelines.