Ask yourselves: why didn't you look up Wikipedia's articles about economy, Dmitri Mendeleev, man, or land even though you know little about them? Simple, because they suck. Millions of people feel the same way too. This is not acceptable on our side and this must be changed by making these articles good.
Subpages[edit]
- Wikipedia:WikiProject Vital Articles/Tools - technical how-to on how to use tools and scripts
Past work[edit]
- 30 kB drive
- 47 articles expanded to 30 kilobytes; 26 July 2022 – 31 August 2022
- Vital GA Drive
- Land to good article status, unsuccessful; 1 September – 15 November 2022
Function[edit]
This WikiProject is designed to be a public space that has neat stuff to do or learn about, and to serve as a place where you sit down, relax, and make edits or discuss with others. Its purpose is to improve the Vitals articles and lists. We always welcome anonymous and new people here (and if you are one of them, have a chat at the talk page!)
There is no such thing as "joining" or "registering" for this WikiProject, as it is an overarching project that aims to gather other WikiProjects together for collaboration. If you're actively improving vital articles, you're already a member of this WikiProject. If you want to find people that are working on Vital articles, use this link to find recent edits and talk to them directly.
Tasks[edit]
- Wikipedia:Database reports/Vital articles update report
- No backlogUnassessed vital articles – -2 articles in total
- No backlogVital articles with unknown topic – 0 articles in total
A list of articles needing cleanup associated with this project is available. See also the tool's wiki page and the index of WikiProjects.
Improving a Vital article[edit]
While we might not know the exact formula for mass-producing Vital GAs, we do know ways to tackle and improve these kind of articles. Here are some techniques that you can use:
- Don't be afraid to try and don't be a perfectionist. Yes, that paragraph that you just wrote might not be there once the article is at GAN, but it will be an important stepping stone for recognizing further improvement. As long as your own content is significantly better and more reliable than the rest of the article, you've done a good job.
- Be concise and keep the summary style in mind. An article should not be too long or else the readers will become dizzy (~60 kB of readable prose is the ideal size). Pro tip: one of the best way to quickly raise article quality is to trim bad content, such as cruft, unsourced sections, original research, etc.
- Be mindful of systematic bias. For vital articles specifically, the most commonly encountered bias is American-European bias. For example, there's a tendency of using European allegories or paintings to illustrate abstract ideas. Don't just swap these images for the sake of diversity however. Remember, the best images are the one that is relevant, high-resolution, sharp, shows the subject clearly in the small thumbnail and is applicable to all cultures.
- Patrol sources and ensure their quality. If you find a low-quality source, either replace it with higher-quality ones or jank the content if it doesn't warrant inclusion in the first place. The WP:RSP list, User:SuperHamster/CiteUnseen and User:Headbomb/unreliable are some of the best tools available to detect bad sources, though remember to use your own judgement as well.
- Copyedit the text and make sure that the text looks more Wikipedia-like. If in doubt, take a look at Wikipedia:Basic copyediting, Wikipedia:Writing better articles, WP:Manual of Style and more.
If you had completed all of these basic techniques, here are some of the more specialized yet powerful ways that you can improve Vital articles. Enjoy these dishes with extra Wikipedia:Ignore all rules and common sense:
- Use the bold, revert, discuss cycle to garner attention and quickly adding improvements the (old) Wikipedia way. This method is especially useful for editing popular country articles provided that you're prepared. Just make an edit that you think it would improve the article, the edit then gets reverted, and both people discuss to reach a better solution.
- Use AutoWikiBrowser and other automated tools to quickly correct errors in many Vital articles. For example, you can use AWB to monitor typos and fix them accordingly. Detailed instructions for some tools such as WP:PetScan and user scripts can be obtained at Wikipedia:WikiProject Vital Articles/Tools.
- Import good content from subtopic articles. For example, in a section about the properties of numbers, it may be helpful to get the content from smaller scope articles such as natural numbers. However, you will need to attribute the source per Wikipedia:Copying within Wikipedia and can be pretty tedious when messing with the template. An IAR and simpler way might be to make a talk page section and list all of your articles that you've copied, including their oldid.
- And perhaps, the most spicy of 'em all is using large language models such as ChatGPT, GPT-3, etc. for brainstorming ideas on Wikipedia. These neural networks as of 2023 are one of the most powerful tool to face the writer's block and give clues at expanding broad-topic articles, and they have the potential to do far more in the future. It should NOT, however, be used to generate original content because of original research and verifiability policy. For tips on using large language models, see Wikipedia:Using neural network language models on Wikipedia and Wikipedia:Large language models.
Awards[edit]
We have a good roster of awards given to those that help us advance the goal to make all Vital Articles GAs and FAs. These awards may be awarded by anyone to anyone worthy.
Barnstars[edit]
{{subst:Vital Barnstar|1=message ~~~~}}
– good old barnstar, given to those that have done a good job.
Vital Barnstar | ||
{{{1}}} |
{{subst:The Vital Articles Barnstar|1=message ~~~~}}
The Vital Articles Barnstar | ||
{{{1}}} |
Userboxes[edit]
- {{User Vital}} – for members of the project.
This user is interested in improving vital articles. |
- {{Vital userbox}} – good old userbox, given to those that have done a good job.
This user has received a Vital barnstar. |
- {{Good Vital infobox}} – Userbox for those that have successfully nominated a Vital good article.
This user has helped promote vital good articles on Wikipedia. |
- {{Featured Vital infobox}} – Userbox for those that have successfully nominated a Vital featured article.
This user has helped promote vital featured articles on Wikipedia. |
Assessment[edit]
For mobile readers, you can click here to switch to desktop mode to read the table more easily. This Vital article assessment scheme is meant to be subjective and complementary to Wikipedia:Content assessment.
Dashboard[edit]
Article alerts[edit]
For article alerts about a specific level, see:
For article alerts on all vital articles (levels 1–5):
Today's featured articles
- 24 May 2024 – George Town, Penang (talk · edit · hist) will be Today's Featured Article; see blurb
- 23 May 2024 – Mount Edziza volcanic complex (talk · edit · hist) will be Today's Featured Article; see blurb
Today's featured article requests
- 05 Jul 2024 – July 2009 Ürümqi riots (talk · edit · hist) has been proposed for Today's Featured Article by Z1720 (t · c); see discussion
- 02 Jul 2024 – Thomas Cranmer (talk · edit · hist) has been proposed for Today's Featured Article by Z1720 (t · c); see discussion
Did you know
- 12 May 2024 – Franz Liszt (talk · edit · hist) was nominated for DYK by Ligaturama (t · c); see discussion
- 04 May 2024 – Giant panda (talk · edit · hist) was nominated for DYK by Wolverine XI (t · c); see discussion
- 03 May 2024 – Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (talk · edit · hist) was nominated for DYK by Keivan.f (t · c); see discussion
- 01 May 2024 – Lineage (anthropology) (talk · edit · hist) was nominated for DYK by Me Da Wikipedian (t · c); see discussion
Articles for deletion
- 14 May 2024 – Discrimination against Bengalis in India (talk · edit · hist) was AfDed by Ratnahastin (t · c); see discussion (5 participants)
Redirects for discussion
- 16 May 2024 – Forbidden hot dog (talk · edit · hist) →Typha was RfDed by OlifanofmrTennant (t · c); see discussion
- 14 May 2024 – Doug Ross (ER) (talk · edit · hist) →ER (TV series) was RfDed by LibStar (t · c); see discussion
- 13 May 2024 – Windows 8.2 (talk · edit · hist) →Windows 10 was RfDed by TheTechie (t · c); see discussion
- 13 May 2024 – Birmingham LGD (talk · edit · hist) →Birmingham was RfDed by A smart kitten (AWB) (t · c); see discussion
- 13 May 2024 – Buckinghamshire LGD (talk · edit · hist) →Buckinghamshire was RfDed by A smart kitten (AWB) (t · c); see discussion
- 13 May 2024 – Cornwall LGD (talk · edit · hist) →Cornwall was RfDed by A smart kitten (AWB) (t · c); see discussion
- 13 May 2024 – Coventry LGD (talk · edit · hist) →Coventry was RfDed by A smart kitten (AWB) (t · c); see discussion
- 13 May 2024 – Derby LGD (talk · edit · hist) →Derby was RfDed by A smart kitten (AWB) (t · c); see discussion
- 13 May 2024 – East Riding of Yorkshire LGD (talk · edit · hist) →East Riding of Yorkshire was RfDed by A smart kitten (AWB) (t · c); see discussion
- 13 May 2024 – Herefordshire LGD (talk · edit · hist) →Herefordshire was RfDed by A smart kitten (AWB) (t · c); see discussion
- (74 more...)
Files for discussion
- 13 May 2024 – File:Clash of the titansposter.jpg (talk · edit · hist) (on 1, 2) was FfDed by Steel1943 (t · c); see discussion
Featured article candidates
- 07 May 2024 – AC/DC (talk · edit · hist) was FA nominated by Vaughan J. (t · c); see discussion
- 25 Apr 2024 – Existence (talk · edit · hist) was FA nominated by Phlsph7 (t · c); see discussion
- 22 Apr 2024 – Dracunculiasis (talk · edit · hist) was FA nominated by Ajpolino (t · c); see discussion
- 31 Mar 2024 – Galileo project (talk · edit · hist) was FA nominated by Hawkeye7 (t · c); see discussion
- 17 Mar 2024 – Iron Man (talk · edit · hist) was FA nominated by Thebiguglyalien (t · c); see discussion
A-Class review
Good article nominees
- 13 May 2024 – Mind (talk · edit · hist) was GA nominated by Phlsph7 (t · c); start discussion
- 12 May 2024 – Pikachu (talk · edit · hist) was GA nominated by Pokelego999 (t · c); start discussion
- 11 May 2024 – Cassava (talk · edit · hist) was GA nominated by Chiswick Chap (t · c); start discussion
- 09 May 2024 – Zinc chloride (talk · edit · hist) was GA nominated by Keresluna (t · c); start discussion
- 08 May 2024 – Game Boy (talk · edit · hist) was GA nominated by RickyCourtney (t · c); see discussion
- 07 May 2024 – Sorghum (talk · edit · hist) was GA nominated by Chiswick Chap (t · c); start discussion
- 07 May 2024 – Software maintenance (talk · edit · hist) was GA nominated by Buidhe paid (t · c); see discussion
- 05 May 2024 – Potato (talk · edit · hist) was GA nominated by Chiswick Chap (t · c); start discussion
- 05 May 2024 – Kevin Rudd (talk · edit · hist) was GA nominated by DTH89 (t · c); start discussion
- 04 May 2024 – Rye (talk · edit · hist) was GA nominated by Chiswick Chap (t · c); start discussion
- (41 more...)
Featured article reviews
- 24 Feb 2024 – Polio (talk · edit · hist) was put up for FA review by Z1720 (t · c); see discussion
- 20 Feb 2024 – Edward I of England (talk · edit · hist) was put up for FA review by JimKillock (t · c); see discussion
- 17 Feb 2024 – Mariah Carey (talk · edit · hist) was put up for FA review by ScarletViolet (t · c); see discussion
- 15 Jan 2024 – Emmy Noether (talk · edit · hist) was put up for FA review by Z1720 (t · c); see discussion
- 09 Dec 2023 – Borobudur (talk · edit · hist) was put up for FA review by SandyGeorgia (t · c); see discussion
- 30 Oct 2023 – Byzantine Empire (talk · edit · hist) was put up for FA review by SandyGeorgia (t · c); see discussion
- 16 Aug 2023 – Minneapolis (talk · edit · hist) was put up for FA review by SandyGeorgia (t · c); see discussion
- 24 Jul 2023 – Geography of Ireland (talk · edit · hist) was put up for FA review by Z1720 (t · c); see discussion
- 14 May 2023 – Edward III of England (talk · edit · hist) was put up for FA review by SandyGeorgia (t · c); see discussion
- 08 May 2023 – William Wilberforce (talk · edit · hist) was put up for FA review by Buidhe (t · c); see discussion
Requests for comments
- 14 May 2024 – Leonid Brezhnev (talk · edit · hist) has an RfC by Emiya1980 (t · c); see discussion
- 22 Apr 2024 – New York City (talk · edit · hist) has an RfC by Castncoot (t · c); see discussion
- 19 Apr 2024 – Israel (talk · edit · hist) has an RfC by JDiala (t · c); see discussion
- 12 Apr 2024 – Israel–Hamas war (talk · edit · hist) has an RfC by BilledMammal (t · c); see discussion
- 04 May 2024 – Liverpool (talk · edit · hist) RfC by Liverpolitan1980 (t · c) was closed; see discussion
Peer reviews
- 04 May 2024 – Regency of Algiers (talk · edit · hist) has been put up for PR by Scope creep (t · c); see discussion
- 03 May 2024 – Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (talk · edit · hist) has been put up for PR by Keivan.f (t · c); see discussion
- 25 Apr 2024 – Ethics (talk · edit · hist) has been put up for PR by Phlsph7 (t · c); see discussion
- 18 Apr 2024 – Bill Gates (talk · edit · hist) has been put up for PR by MSincccc (t · c); see discussion
- 16 Apr 2024 – Geologic time scale (talk · edit · hist) has been put up for PR by Jarred C Lloyd (t · c); see discussion
- 13 Apr 2024 – Charles the Bold (talk · edit · hist) has been put up for PR by Amir Ghandi (t · c); see discussion
- 05 Apr 2024 – Narwhal (talk · edit · hist) has been put up for PR by Wolverine XI (t · c); see discussion
- 03 Apr 2024 – Campbell's Soup Cans (talk · edit · hist) has been put up for PR by TonyTheTiger (t · c); see discussion
- 01 Apr 2024 – History of Christianity (talk · edit · hist) has been put up for PR by Jenhawk777 (t · c); see discussion
- 31 Mar 2024 – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (talk · edit · hist) has been put up for PR by SafariScribe (t · c); see discussion
- (5 more...)
Requested moves
- 15 May 2024 – NBC (talk · edit · hist) is requested to be moved to National Broadcasting Company by Remsense (t · c); see discussion
- 11 May 2024 – Technical University of Berlin (talk · edit · hist) is requested to be moved to Technische Universität Berlin by SFBB (t · c); see discussion
- 10 May 2024 – Apple II (talk · edit · hist) is requested to be moved to Apple II (1977 computer) by Dgpop (t · c); see discussion
- 30 Apr 2024 – Rashtrakuta Empire (talk · edit · hist) is requested to be moved to Rashtrakutas by ImperialAficionado (t · c); see discussion
- 23 Apr 2024 – Cranial nerves (talk · edit · hist) is requested to be moved to Cranial nerve by Tobiasi0 (t · c); see discussion
- 17 Apr 2024 – Maratha Empire (talk · edit · hist) is requested to be moved to Maratha Confederacy by PadFoot2008 (t · c); see discussion
- 13 Apr 2024 – Dora the Explorer (talk · edit · hist) is requested to be moved to Dora the Explorer (TV series) by Vestrian24Bio (t · c); see discussion
- 13 Mar 2024 – Henry I, Duke of Guise (talk · edit · hist) is requested to be moved to Henri I, Duke of Guise by Sovietblobfish (t · c); see discussion
- 07 May 2024 – Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow (talk · edit · hist) move request to Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow by Popcornfud (t · c) was not moved; see discussion
- 07 May 2024 – Pala Empire (talk · edit · hist) move request to Pala dynasty by ImperialAficionado (t · c) was not moved; see discussion
- (5 more...)
Articles to be merged
- 16 May 2024 – Contraposition (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for merging to Transposition (logic) by Thiagovscoelho (t · c); see discussion
- 13 May 2024 – Rohingya genocide (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for merging to Persecution of Muslims in Myanmar by Vanisherman (t · c); see discussion
- 12 May 2024 – North Asia (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for merging to Siberia by Treetoes023 (t · c); see discussion
- 11 May 2024 – Agronomy (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for merging to Agricultural science by DuxLoKi (t · c); see discussion
- 11 May 2024 – Agricultural science (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for merging to Agronomy by DuxLoKi (t · c); see discussion
- 07 May 2024 – Asperger syndrome (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for merging to Autism spectrum by COArSe D1RTxxx (t · c); see discussion
- 07 May 2024 – Online chat (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for merging to Synchronous conferencing by Helpful Raccoon (t · c); see discussion
- 03 May 2024 – Forest gardening (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for merging to Silvopasture by Chidgk1 (t · c); see discussion
- 03 May 2024 – The gospel (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for merging to Gospel by LlywelynII (t · c); see discussion
- 30 Apr 2024 – Legal case (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for merging to Legal proceeding by Visviva (t · c); see discussion
- (23 more...)
Articles to be split
- 09 May 2024 – Michael Crawford (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for splitting by 2601:1C1:8200:260:1D7B:1660:F08F:1EAE (t · c); see discussion
- 03 May 2024 – Social choice theory (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for splitting by Closed Limelike Curves (t · c); see discussion
- 02 May 2024 – Slaughterhouse (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for splitting by GobsPint (t · c); see discussion
- 25 Apr 2024 – Jeffrey Epstein (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for splitting by DBrown SPS (t · c); see discussion
- 01 Apr 2024 – Mole salamander (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for splitting by TypistMonkey (t · c); see discussion
- 18 Mar 2024 – Gazelle (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for splitting by Maykii (t · c); see discussion
- 12 Mar 2024 – Bioterrorism (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for splitting by Geysirhead (t · c); see discussion
- 06 Mar 2024 – Submarine (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for splitting by Piotrus (t · c); see discussion
- 04 Mar 2024 – Internet celebrity (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for splitting by SilverLocust (t · c); see discussion
- 02 Mar 2024 – Cebu (talk · edit · hist) is proposed for splitting by Diannaa (t · c); see discussion
- (71 more...)
Click to watch (Subscribe via RSS Atom) · Find Article Alerts for other topics!
Statistics[edit]
See also[edit]
- Wikipedia:WikiProject Vital Articles/Article alerts – specialized noticeboard for Vital articles
- File:Wikipedia’s poor treatment of its most important articles.pdf (2011)
- File:Fun or Functional? The Misalignment Between Content Quality and Popularity in Wikipedia (WMF Research Showcase 2015-09-16).pdf
- Wikipedia:WikiProject Vital Articles/Readability (2016)