Chalo Chatu:Writing better articles

This page provides guidance on how to write effective articles, focusing on layout, style, and ensuring clarity, precision, and relevance for readers.

Layout

A well-structured article starts with a clear introduction, maintains an organized body, and ends with standard appendices such as references and related articles.

Introductory Material

An article should begin with a brief lead section introducing the topic. The lead should come above the first header, without needing a separate "Introduction" section. If necessary, the first section after the lead may provide an overview, although more specific section titles are encouraged.

Paragraphs

Paragraphs should be concise, focused, and sufficiently developed. Avoid overly long paragraphs, and split them if needed to maintain focus. One-sentence paragraphs are used for emphasis but should be rare.

Headings

Headings should clarify the article’s structure and guide readers through its content. Start with a level 2 heading for the article title, followed by lower levels as appropriate. For clarity, headings should not be wikilinked.

Images

When possible, include images that directly relate to the text they illustrate. Properly positioned images help enhance readability. Use concise captions and ensure images are contextually relevant.

Size

Long articles should be avoided, with articles ideally containing fewer than 50KB of prose. For longer articles, break them into smaller sections, using the "Main article" template to link to subarticles. Each subtopic should stand on its own with clear summaries.

Articles Covering Subtopics

Chalo Chatu articles naturally grow by expanding subtopics into individual articles. As articles develop, summary sections should be linked to more detailed articles. For example, the article on Zambia can contain summaries with links to more in-depth pieces on specific topics like Zambian sports or history.

Information Style and Tone

Chalo Chatu uses a Britannica-style encyclopedic tone, combined with locally informed narratives centered on Zambia for Zambia by Zambians.

• Formal and Objective Tone: Articles should maintain an academic tone, avoiding first- or second-person perspectives. Use gender-neutral pronouns when necessary and avoid jargon, slang, or overly complex language.
• Clear, Accessible Writing: The style should cater to a wide audience, from those with limited background knowledge to experts. Avoid jargon unless it is necessary for the subject, and provide explanations when it is used.

Use of Styles

Two commonly used styles for writing articles are Summary Style and Inverted Pyramid Style:

Summary Style

Summary style organizes articles into main topics and subtopics. Subtopics may develop into full articles, each linked back to the main article for ease of navigation.

Inverted Pyramid Style

This style is particularly useful for articles that prioritize key information first, followed by supporting details and background material. It is especially useful in articles about events or subjects with less complex structuring.

Lead Section

The lead section is crucial as it provides an overview of the article. It should briefly summarize the most important points about the topic, with the first sentence answering two key questions: What is the subject? and Why is it notable?

Opening Paragraph

The first sentence should establish what the subject is and why it matters, with subsequent sentences summarizing the article’s key points.

Use of Color

Color should be used sparingly and only as a secondary visual aid. It is important to be mindful of accessibility issues, such as color blindness or display contrast issues.

Final Tips for Clarity and Structure

• Avoid Honorifics: Titles like "Dr." or "Mr." should be omitted from articles.
• Integrate Changes: When editing, avoid adding disjointed sections. Changes should flow with the existing content.
• Avoid Persuasive Writing: Articles should avoid persuasive language, focusing instead on presenting factual, neutral information.

Providing Context

Assume that the reader may have no prior knowledge of the subject. Provide sufficient background information to make the article accessible to everyone, and ensure that links to related topics help readers build a comprehensive understanding.