Wikipedia:Wikipedia in brief
Wikipedia aims to be a neutral compilation of verifiable, established facts. |
This means:
- Neutral
- Wikipedia undue weight. Balance derives from reliable sources, not personal judgment.
- Compilation
- Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, consisting of articles written in a particular style. There is a process which advances articles to our goal.
- Verifiable
- Information must be realistically verifiable by others. This is generally done by citing from reliable sources.
- Established
- Original ideas, interpretations, or research cannot be verified, and thus are inappropriate for Wikipedia. Wikipedia is not a primary source; it strives to be a tertiary source.
- Facts
- Wikipedia documents facts; it does not offer editorial opinions. Articles state the important views which exist, and who holds them ("facts about opinions").
See also
- Wikipedia:Administration – Discuses both the human administrative structure of Wikipedia, and its non-human components.
- Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons – About how editors must take particular care when adding information about living persons to any Wikipedia page.
- Wikipedia:Purpose – Describes Wikipedia's motive for being.
- Wikipedia:Here to build an encyclopedia – About how Wikipedians are here to build an encyclopedia, i.e., a neutral public reference work on certain topics.
- Wikipedia:Five pillars – The fundamental principles of Wikipedia summarized in five "pillars".
- Wikipedia:The rules are principles – About how policies and guidelines exist only as rough approximations of their underlying principles.
- Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not – The page outlines certain things that Wikipedia is not.