Wikipedia:Communication is required

This is an explanatory essay about the editing and civility policies. This page provides additional information about concepts in the page(s) it supplements. This page is not one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community.

Shortcuts WP:ENGAGE WP:COMMUNICATE

This page in a nutshell: Wikipedia is a collaborative project. Sometimes, you must engage in constructive discussions with others or you risk sanctions.

Wikipedia's hallmark is its user-generated,

to discuss issues when needed.

Reverting

If you are trying to improve content (and not simply reverting

.

Restoring your edits multiple times without consensus is a form of

blocked

. You have two options: make a good-faith effort to discuss and wait for consensus before any further action, or stop reverting completely. There is no third option.

Formal noticeboards

When attention has been drawn to your actions on one of the noticeboards such as

the edit-warring noticeboard

, it is generally in your best interest to engage in the discussion, although it is not mandatory. In addition to being an opportunity for you to present your side, your willingness to co-operate with others is essential to reaching an amicable solution. Although it can be tempting to respond to everyone in detail, it may be more effective to allow contributors to express their views without interruption, and provide a few simple responses.

Repeated complaints by multiple editors

If you are getting multiple complaints on your talk page or on an article talk page about your editing,

" may eventually result in a block.

If you regularly restore your edits to a page without consensus, even within the limits of the

, you are still edit warring and once it catches the eye of an administrator, you are likely to be sanctioned. Stop restoring your edits, and start a discussion on the talk page to establish consensus. Often, it requires compromise.

Everyone is expected to make a good-faith effort to discuss disagreements with involved editors. It may require compromise, finding

forms.

Remember that Wikipedia is open for everyone regardless of their location or background. Be prepared to understand and accept that you may be collaborating with someone on the other side of the globe who has completely different cultural values and opinions.

Everyone must be willing to talk to others sometimes. Some people have gone long periods without discussion, but only because they didn't do anything controversial. Most people who edit for more than a few months will find they need to explain or question others occasionally; they must communicate in a

as a collaborative project.

See also

• Tendentious editing
• Encourage full discussions
• There is no justice