Thelemapedia:Really Simple Tutorial (content)

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Content is where things get a little tricky and difficult to explain in very simple terms. However, this is the "Really Simple Tutorial", so let's give it a shot...

For a more in-depth discussion on writing quality articles, see the article How to Contribute.

Writing style

Thelemapedia is an encyclopedia—it is not a dictionary, soapbox, journal, discussion forum, site mirror, or link repository (see more on what Thelemapedia is not). It might be useful to think of a Thelemapedia article as a short (but well-written) high school research paper. As such, an excellent Thelemapedia article should:

• be written in the third person, without being dramatic, poetic, or mysterious
• reflect knowledge from expert sources (esp. Aleister Crowley), not personal opinion or subjective experience
• be clear and concise while covering all relevant aspects
• cite its sources
• be written for the reader who is not familiar with the topic or its related jargon
• present information without attempting to persuade or advocate

When writing or editing an article, it should embody the Primary Editorial Principles:

1. Articles should be sympathetic with the principles, culture, practices, and beliefs of Thelema whenever possible.
2. Articles should promote clarity, accuracy, and the will to inform without distortion or fabrication.
3. Articles should reflect knowledge that is generally accepted in the Thelemic community, drawing from expert sources or common knowledge.

It would be a good idea to go over Thelemapedia's Editorial Policy when you have a chance.

Basic article structure

Although every topic is different, and some articles will have unique information structures, most will follow this general pattern:

1. Brief intro—a lead section which is brief but sufficient to define and summarize the topic
2. Detailed sections—covering the major aspects of the topic (be sure to use headers!)
3. See also—List of links to other relevant Thelemapedia articles
4. External links—to relevant sites of interest
5. References—citing sources used
6. Categories—add any that fit

Citing sources

It is important that you cite your sources if you draw from a book, journal, or website. If you write something like "Crowley believed that the sky was yellow", you should tell us where he said that. Also, if you write something that is a statement or belief of a group or person, be sure you attribute that statement or belief to them. This is not necessary for beliefs that are commonly held by Thelemites or considered very common knowledge. It's your call, but be thoughtful about it.

There are two ways to cite sources in the body on an article:

1. After a quote or paraphrase. Ex. Diana was also worshipped "as a goddess of nature" (Frazer, 1993, p.141).
2. Before a quote or paraphrase. Ex. Frazer (1993, p.141) writes that Diana was also worshipped "as a goddess of nature."

The exception to this format is when citing Aleister Crowley. On Thelemapedia, the standard is to list the name of the book or text. Examples:

• "The Circle announces the Nature of the Great Work" (Magick, ch.2).
• Crowley writes in Magick (ch.2), "The Circle announces the Nature of the Great Work."
• "The Circle announces the Nature of the Great Work" (Liber IV).
• "Every man and every woman is a star." (AL I:3)

Put under the "References" header, again in a bulleted list, any books, articles, web pages, etcetera that you used in constructing the article and/or recommend as sources of further information to readers.

• Frazer, James. (1993). The Golden Bough. Hertfordshire, U.K. : Wordsworth Reference
• Crowley, Aleister. (1997). Magick: Book 4. 2nd ed. York Beach, Me. : S. Weiser.
• ____. (1979). The Confessions of Aleister Crowley. London;Boston : Routledge & Kegan Paul.
• Thriambos, Dionysos. (2002). "Conditions for Eucharistic Magick (http://www.scarletwoman.org/scarletletter/v7n2/v7n2_conditions.html)." The Scarlet Letter. Vol. VII, No. 2.

If a page is taken from another GNU-licensed site, like Wikipedia, it should be referenced as such:

• Adapted from: Wikipedia. (2005). Thelemapedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelemapedia). Retrieved on July 1, 2005.

Citing sources provide references that help the reader to check the veracity of the article and to find more information. If you consult an external source while writing an article, citing it is basic intellectual honesty. More than that, you should actively search for authoritative references to cite. If you are writing from your own knowledge, then you should know enough to identify good references that the reader can consult on the subject. The main point is to help the reader—cite whatever you think will be most helpful. This applies when writing about opinions, as well—beware the temptation to write weasel phrases like, "Some people say..." Who said it, and where and when?

You don't have to write a complete article

Don't wait to contribute until you've written an entire article. It is completely acceptable, and even expected, that editors will add materials in a piecemeal fashion. If there is only one thing you know about a topic, then write about that one thing.

Introduction | The Basics | More Formatting | Content | Tidbits