Thelemapedia:Tutorial (Content)

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See Also Help & How-to docs

Now that you know how to edit a page, use basic wiki formatting, and create wiki links, it's time to work with the content of Thelemapedia articles.

Starting a new page

First things first

1. Search Thelemapedia to see whether someone has written a similar page before you start one yourself.
2. Review the naming conventions of the project you are working in before naming a new page or setting up a new index page. For example: some articles might use "Topic (metatopic)", such as "Planet (astrology)".

Ways to create a new article

1. Start a page from an existing link. If the link is red, then it links to an empty page. Simply click on that link and begin typing in the text box.
2. Create a link from an existing page. While you are editing an existing page, if a word or phrase strikes you as if it ought to have an article of its own, just create a wiki link (by putting it in double square brackets, [[like this]]).
3. Start a page from the Temp Zone. Edit the Temp Zone, then create a new link. Then create/edit your new page by clicking on the red link and writing new text.
4. Starting a page in the URL address bar. Simply enter something like the following into your browser as a page address: http://www.thelemapedia.org/index.php/Sample_page_title, replacing "Sample_page_title" with whatever you want the page to be called (be sure to include the underscores if the title has spaces). This will bring up a page that informs you that there is currently no text in the article yet. Click on the "Edit" link at the top of that page, and presto! you are now editing your brand new page.

Writing style

Thelemapedia is an encyclopedia—it is not a dictionary, soapbox, journal, discussion forum, site mirror, or link repository. As such, all articles should conform with the following:

1. Reflect the knowledge base or common knowledge. Articles should be a summary of existing knowledge, not personal opinion. This means that content should either be (a) in print, preferrably by a Thelemicly mainstream author (e.g. Crowley, Parsons, DuQuette, or Sabazius), or (b) truly common knowledge, such as "most people in France speak french". Thelemapedia is not the place to experiment with new ideas or original research.
2. Use neutral language. Avoid speaking from the first person (e.g. "In my opinion..." or "I believe..."). Do not sign your articles. Try not to let your "personality" show in your writing—be straightforward and concise. Writing should not be dramatic, mysterious, or prose-like. Just the facts, Jack, just the facts.
3. Seek to educate. The whole point of this site is to educate visitors seeking clear and accurate knowledge. Everything else is secondary, period. Avoid using a lot of complex language and tech-speak—either explain your terms or link them to articles. Before you hit "Save" ask yourself "if I were relatively new to this topic, would I understand this?"

All articles 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.

For a more detailed review on writing a great Thelemapedia article, check out Article Basics.

Sources

The best source for content is books. This is because what you write becomes verifiable. Since this site's focus is on Thelema, it is naturally best to use Thelemic authors and academics, especially Aleister Crowley. Other excellent authors are: Levi, Regardie, DuQuette, Hyatt, Grant, Gerald Del Campo, Martin Starr, Rodney Orpheus, Richard Kaczynski, Dionysos Thriambos, Sabazius, Hymenaeus Beta, Bill Heidrick, Benjamin Rowe, Hakim Bey, Blavatski, and all the other usual suspects.

You can also find excellent material on the Internet. Some of the best sites are:

• Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/)
• The Hermetic Library (http://www.hermetic.com/)
• Bulfinch’s Mythology (http://www.bulfinch.org/)
• Sacred Texts Archive (http://www.sacred-texts.com/index.htm)
• Bartleby (http://www.bartleby.com/)

If you use information directly from these sites, or from books, you must cite your sources. Look over Common Sources for a short but important review on how to do so.

Finally, do not submit copyrighted material without permission. The best articles are usually written from either personal knowledge, or through the synthesis of research from multiple sources. For a more detailed discussion of copyrights, see Wikipedia:Copyrights.

Now, time to move on with the tutorial...