News articles

1. News Articles

This article provides a comprehensive guide to creating and formatting news articles within a MediaWiki environment, geared towards beginners. We will cover structuring, content guidelines, formatting techniques, and best practices for presenting timely and informative news content.

What is a News Article in a Wiki Context?

In a traditional news outlet, a news article reports current events. In a wiki, a news article serves a similar purpose, but with added benefits. Wiki news articles are collaboratively edited, allowing for diverse perspectives and continuous updates. They are also permanently archived, creating a valuable historical record of events. Unlike a blog post (which tends to be more opinion-based and personal), a wiki news article strives for NPOV. This is crucial. The goal isn't to *persuade* someone but to *inform* them.

A well-written news article on a wiki should:

• **Be factual:** Based on verifiable sources.
• **Be neutral:** Present all sides of a story without bias.
• **Be concise:** Get to the point quickly and efficiently.
• **Be up-to-date:** Reflect the latest developments in the story.
• **Be well-structured:** Easy to read and understand.
• **Be properly attributed:** Clearly cite all sources.

Structuring a News Article

A standard news article structure typically includes the following sections:

• **Headline:** A concise and attention-grabbing summary of the article's main point. Avoid sensationalism.
• **Lead (or Lede):** The opening paragraph, which provides the most important information – the "5 Ws and H": *Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How*. This is the most crucial part of the article; many readers will only read the lead.
• **Body:** Provides details and supporting information, expanding on the lead. Organize information logically, often chronologically or by topic. Use subheadings to break up the text.
• **Background:** Provides context for the story, explaining relevant history or related events. Link to existing wiki pages for more in-depth information. For example, if reporting on a political event, link to the relevant Political system page.
• **Reactions:** Includes quotes and statements from people involved or affected by the event. Ensure quotes are accurate and properly attributed.
• **See Also:** A section listing links to related articles within the wiki. Use this to connect your article to the broader wiki knowledge base.
• **References:** A list of all sources used in the article, formatted according to the wiki's citation guidelines (see below).
• **External Links:** Links to relevant sources *outside* the wiki.

Formatting a News Article in MediaWiki

MediaWiki provides a robust set of formatting tools. Here's how to use them to create a professional-looking news article:

• **Headlines:** Use heading tags (`= Headline =`, `== Subheading ==`, `=== Sub-subheading ===`, etc.). Use heading levels appropriately to create a clear hierarchy. Avoid using too many top-level headings.
• **Paragraphs:** Separate paragraphs with blank lines.
• **Bold Text:** Use triple apostrophes (`Bold text`) for emphasis.
• **Italic Text:** Use double apostrophes (`Italic text`) for emphasis or titles.
• **Lists:**

   * **Bulleted Lists:** Use asterisks (`*`) at the beginning of each item.
   * **Numbered Lists:** Use hash marks (`#`) at the beginning of each item.

• **Links:** Use double square brackets (`Link to another wiki page`) for internal links and standard URL syntax (`Example Website`) for external links.
• **Images:** Use the `caption` syntax to include images. Ensure you have the rights to use the image. Consider the Copyright implications.
• **Tables:** Use wiki table syntax to create tables for presenting data. This can be complex; consult the Help:Tables page.
• **Blockquotes:** Use the `> Blockquote text` syntax to quote text.
• **Horizontal Rules:** Use three or more hyphens (`---`) on a separate line.

Content Guidelines: Maintaining Neutrality and Verifiability

The most important aspect of a wiki news article is maintaining NPOV. Here are some guidelines:

• **Present all sides:** Include information from all relevant perspectives.
• **Avoid loaded language:** Use neutral wording and avoid emotionally charged terms.
• **Attribute opinions:** Clearly identify opinions as such, and attribute them to their source. For example, instead of "The policy is disastrous," write "Critics of the policy argue that it is disastrous."
• **Verify information:** All information must be verifiable from reliable sources. Avoid using blogs, social media, or other unreliable sources. Stick to reputable news organizations, government reports, academic studies, and other established sources.
• **Avoid original research:** Do not add your own opinions or interpretations to the article. Report what others have said and done.
• **Fact-check carefully:** Double-check all facts before publishing. Errors can damage the credibility of the wiki.

Citation and Referencing

Proper citation is *essential* for a credible news article. MediaWiki typically uses the `<ref>` tag for citations. Here's how it works:

1. **Add a citation:** Insert the `<ref>` tag followed by the citation information, then close it with `</ref>`. The exact format of the citation information will depend on the wiki's citation guidelines. A common format is: `<ref>

1. Template:Cite web

Template:Cite web is a fundamental citation template used on Wikipedia and other MediaWiki-based wikis, including this one, to consistently format citations for web pages. It’s a crucial tool for maintaining the credibility and verifiability of information presented within articles. This article provides a comprehensive guide to using the template, covering its parameters, best practices, and troubleshooting tips for beginners. Understanding and utilizing this template effectively is a cornerstone of responsible content creation.

What is a Citation and Why is it Important?

Before diving into the specifics of `Template:Cite web`, it's essential to understand *why* we cite sources. Citations serve several critical purposes:

• **Verifiability:** They allow readers to independently verify the information presented in an article. Readers can follow the links and assess the source themselves.
• **Credibility:** Citing reputable sources enhances the credibility of the article and the editor who wrote it.
• **Avoiding Plagiarism:** Properly citing sources avoids plagiarism, which is a serious ethical violation.
• **Context & Further Research:** Citations provide context and allow readers to explore the topic in greater depth.
• **Maintaining Neutrality:** Relying on cited sources helps ensure that information presented is based on evidence rather than personal opinion. This is particularly important when discussing Technical Analysis or interpreting Market Trends.

The Basics of Template:Cite web

`Template:Cite web` is designed to streamline the process of creating citations for online resources. Instead of manually formatting each citation, the template automatically generates a standardized citation format based on the information you provide.

To use the template, you simply insert it into your article text, filling in the relevant parameters. The basic syntax is:

```wiki <ref></ref> ```

Let's break down each parameter:

• **`author`**: The author of the web page. If no individual author is identified, use the organization or website responsible for the content. For example, "Reuters" or "Investopedia". Consider how authorship impacts the reliability of a source when analyzing Trading Signals.
• **`url`**: The direct URL (web address) of the page. This is *essential*. Without a valid URL, the citation is effectively useless. Ensure the URL is stable and unlikely to change.
• **`title`**: The title of the web page. This should be enclosed in quotation marks if it's the title of an article or webpage.
• **`publisher`**: The name of the website or organization that publishes the web page. This is often different from the author. For instance, the author might be a journalist writing for a news website.
• **`date`**: The date the web page was published or last updated. Use the format YYYY-MM-DD (e.g., 2023-10-27). The date is crucial for assessing the timeliness of information, especially when discussing volatile Financial Instruments.
• **`accessdate`**: The date you accessed the web page. This is important because web pages can change over time. Use the format YYYY-MM-DD. This demonstrates the information was available at the time of writing.
• **`archiveurl`**: The URL of an archived version of the web page (e.g., from the Wayback Machine – [1]). Archiving is *highly recommended* as websites can disappear or change their content.
• **`archivedate`**: The date the page was archived. Use the format YYYY-MM-DD.
• **`quote`**: A short, relevant quote from the web page. Use sparingly; it's not always necessary.
• **`pages`**: If the information comes from a specific page or section within a longer web document, indicate the page number or section title here.

Example Usage

Let's illustrate with an example. Suppose you want to cite an article on Investopedia about the Moving Average indicator:

```wiki <ref></ref> ```

This will generate a citation that looks something like this:

"Moving Average." Investopedia. Accessed October 27, 2023. [2](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/movingaverage.asp). Archived October 27, 2023, at the Wayback Machine.

Common Parameters and Advanced Options

Beyond the basic parameters, `Template:Cite web` offers several other useful options:

• **`format`**: Specifies the format of the source (e.g., HTML, PDF, EPUB). Useful when citing downloadable reports or documents.
• **`language`**: The language of the web page. Use the two-letter ISO 639-1 code (e.g., "en" for English, "es" for Spanish).
• **`trans_title`**: A translation of the title into the article's language. Use this if the original title is in a different language.
• **`work`**: The name of the overall work or website that contains the page (e.g., the name of a newspaper if the page is an article from that newspaper).
• **`loc`**: Location within the work (e.g., section title).
• **`first`**: The first name of the author.
• **`last`**: The last name of the author. Using `first` and `last` allows for more consistent author formatting.
• **`authorlink`**: A link to the author's Wikipedia page (if they have one).
• **`coauthors`**: Used to list multiple authors.
• **`ref`**: Allows you to assign a custom reference name (useful for reusing the same source multiple times).

Best Practices for Using Template:Cite web

• **Always include a URL:** This is the most important part of the citation.
• **Archive web pages:** Use the Wayback Machine or another archiving service to preserve the source in case the original page disappears or changes.
• **Be consistent:** Follow a consistent citation style throughout the article.
• **Use accurate dates:** Double-check the publication and access dates.
• **Provide complete information:** Fill in as many parameters as possible.
• **Avoid bare URLs:** Never include a URL without a proper citation using `Template:Cite web` or another appropriate template. Bare URLs look unprofessional and don’t provide enough context.
• **Check for broken links:** Regularly check your citations to ensure the URLs are still working. Tools like Broken Link Detection can help.
• **Consider the source's reliability:** Evaluate the credibility of the source before citing it. Is it a reputable organization? Is the author an expert in the field? This is important when evaluating Trading Strategies.
• **Format dates correctly:** Always use the YYYY-MM-DD format.
• **Understand different Candlestick Patterns and their sources.**
• **Be mindful of Bollinger Bands and the sources that explain them.**
• **Research the origins of Fibonacci Retracements and cite accordingly.**
• **Explore different Elliott Wave Theory interpretations and their cited origins.**
• **Understand the historical context of Dow Theory and cite its proponents.**

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• **Citation not displaying correctly:** Check for syntax errors in the template. Make sure all brackets and equal signs are in the correct places.
• **Broken link:** The URL may be incorrect or the web page may have been removed. Try to find an archived version or a different source.
• **Citation style inconsistent:** Review the article's style guide and ensure you're following the guidelines.
• **Error message:** Pay attention to any error messages that appear when you save the page. These messages can often provide clues about the problem.
• **Incorrect date format:** Ensure dates are in YYYY-MM-DD format.
• **Archive URL not working:** Verify the archive URL is correct and points to a valid archived version of the page.

Related Templates and Resources

• `Template:Cite book`: For citing books.
• `Template:Cite journal`: For citing journal articles.
• `Template:Cite news`: For citing news articles (often a good alternative if `Cite web` doesn't fit perfectly).
• `Template:Cite report`: For citing reports.
• Help:Citing sources: A comprehensive guide to citing sources on Wikipedia.
• Wikipedia:Verifiability: Wikipedia's policy on verifiability.
• The Wayback Machine: For archiving web pages.
• Zotero and Mendeley: Citation management tools.
• Understanding Support and Resistance Levels requires reliable sources.
• Learning about Chart Patterns requires accurate citations.
• Researching Risk Management techniques demands credible sources.
• Analyzing Market Psychology benefits from well-cited research.
• Studying Fundamental Analysis necessitates citing financial reports.
• Exploring Quantitative Analysis requires referencing statistical methods.
• Understanding Options Trading strategies relies on citing option pricing models.
• Learning about Forex Trading requires citing currency exchange rate data.
• Researching Cryptocurrency Trading needs sources on blockchain technology.
• Analyzing Commodity Markets demands citing production and consumption data.
• Understanding Interest Rate Analysis requires citing central bank reports.
• Learning about Inflation Indicators needs references to economic data.
• Studying GDP Growth requires citing national statistics.
• Analyzing Employment Figures requires citing labor market reports.
• Understanding Balance of Trade needs references to trade statistics.
• Researching Government Debt requires citing fiscal reports.
• Learning about Monetary Policy requires citing central bank statements.
• Analyzing Corporate Earnings requires citing financial statements.
• Understanding Economic Cycles relies on citing economic research.

Start Trading Now

Sign up at IQ Option (Minimum deposit $10) Open an account at Pocket Option (Minimum deposit $5)

Join Our Community

Subscribe to our Telegram channel @strategybin to receive: ✓ Daily trading signals ✓ Exclusive strategy analysis ✓ Market trend alerts ✓ Educational materials for beginners</ref>` 2. **Create a References section:** Add the `== References ==` heading at the end of the article. MediaWiki automatically generates a numbered list of references in this section.

Ensure your citations are consistent and follow the wiki's style guide. If no specific style guide exists, consider using a standard academic citation style like APA or MLA.

Advanced Formatting Techniques

• **Templates:** MediaWiki templates can be used to create reusable content blocks. For example, a template could be created for formatting news article citations or for displaying infoboxes. See Help:Templates for more information.
• **Categories:** Categorizing your article makes it easier for other users to find. Use the `` syntax at the end of the article. You can also add multiple categories.
• **Infoboxes:** Infoboxes are used to display key information about a topic in a concise and visually appealing format. Templates are often used to create infoboxes.
• **Timelines:** For stories that unfold over time, consider creating a timeline to visualize the key events. There are extensions available that can help with this.

Best Practices for Writing News Articles

• **Write concisely:** Get to the point quickly and avoid unnecessary jargon.
• **Use active voice:** Active voice is generally clearer and more engaging than passive voice.
• **Proofread carefully:** Check for spelling, grammar, and factual errors.
• **Get feedback:** Ask other users to review your article before publishing.
• **Stay up-to-date:** Monitor the story and update the article as new information becomes available.
• **Collaborate:** Welcome contributions from other users.
• **Be respectful:** Maintain a civil tone and avoid personal attacks.
• **Understand the wiki's policies:** Familiarize yourself with the wiki's rules and guidelines. Especially the guidelines on Conflict of Interest.
• **Consider using a style guide:** A consistent style guide (like the Manual of Style) will improve the overall quality of the wiki.

Tools and Resources

• **MediaWiki Help:** [3](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Help) - The official MediaWiki help pages.
• **Editing in MediaWiki:** [4](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/User:Spanner/Editing_in_MediaWiki) - A comprehensive guide to editing in MediaWiki.
• **MediaWiki Templates:** [5](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Templates) - Information about using templates in MediaWiki.
• **Citation Styles:** [6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources) - While for Wikipedia, this provides excellent guidance on citation styles.
• **AP Stylebook:** [7](https://www.apstylebook.com/) - A widely used style guide for journalism.
• **Reuters Style Guide:** [8](https://about.reuters.com/style-guide/) - Another reputable style guide for news writing.
• **Investopedia:** [9](https://www.investopedia.com/) - Financial definitions and analysis.
• **TradingView:** [10](https://www.tradingview.com/) - Charting and social networking for traders.
• **Bloomberg:** [11](https://www.bloomberg.com/) - Financial news and data.
• **Yahoo Finance:** [12](https://finance.yahoo.com/) - Financial news and data.
• **Kitco:** [13](https://www.kitco.com/) - Precious metals prices and news.
• **Forex Factory:** [14](https://www.forexfactory.com/) - Forex news and analysis.
• **DailyFX:** [15](https://www.dailyfx.com/) - Forex news and analysis.
• **StockCharts.com:** [16](https://stockcharts.com/) - Stock charting and analysis.
• **Fibonacci Retracements:** [17](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/fibonacciretracement.asp)
• **Moving Averages:** [18](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/movingaverage.asp)
• **Bollinger Bands:** [19](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bollingerbands.asp)
• **Relative Strength Index (RSI):** [20](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/rsi.asp)
• **MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence):** [21](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/macd.asp)
• **Elliott Wave Theory:** [22](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/elliottwavetheory.asp)
• **Candlestick Patterns:** [23](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/candlestick.asp)
• **Support and Resistance Levels:** [24](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/supportandresistance.asp)
• **Trend Lines:** [25](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/trendline.asp)
• **Head and Shoulders Pattern:** [26](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/headandshoulders.asp)
• **Double Top/Bottom:** [27](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/doubletop.asp)
• **Triangles (Ascending, Descending, Symmetrical):** [28](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/triangle.asp)
• **Gap Analysis:** [29](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gap.asp)
• **Volume Analysis:** [30](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/volume.asp)

Start Trading Now

Sign up at IQ Option (Minimum deposit $10) Open an account at Pocket Option (Minimum deposit $5)

Join Our Community

Subscribe to our Telegram channel @strategybin to receive: ✓ Daily trading signals ✓ Exclusive strategy analysis ✓ Market trend alerts ✓ Educational materials for beginners