New Resume Decline Reason For AfC Helper

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving into a crucial update for the Articles for Creation (AfC) Helper tool on Wikipedia. This update focuses on adding a new decline reason specifically tailored for submissions that resemble resumes rather than encyclopedic articles. This is super important because it helps maintain the quality and integrity of Wikipedia's content. Let's break down why this is necessary, what the new decline reason entails, and how it will be implemented.

Why We Need a Specific Decline Reason for Resumes

When it comes to creating content for Wikipedia, it's all about maintaining a high standard of encyclopedic quality. Guys, you know that Wikipedia isn't just a place to list off someone's accomplishments or create a glorified resume. It's a platform for providing well-researched, neutral, and comprehensive information about notable subjects. That's where the problem with resume-like submissions comes in. These submissions often miss the mark because they:

• Rely Heavily on Self-Published Sources: Resumes typically highlight individual achievements and often cite self-published sources or the subject's own materials. While these sources can provide some information, they lack the independent verification and analysis needed for an encyclopedic entry.
• Lack Secondary Analysis: A good Wikipedia article doesn't just list facts; it provides context and analysis from reliable, independent sources. Resumes, on the other hand, tend to focus on a chronological listing of accomplishments without the necessary critical evaluation.
• Exhibit Undue Focus on Positive Events: Resumes are designed to present the subject in the best possible light, which can lead to a biased and unbalanced portrayal. Wikipedia articles, however, must adhere to a neutral point of view and present a balanced perspective, including both positive and negative aspects when appropriate.
• Fail to Meet Wikipedia's Sourcing Standards: Wikipedia articles must be based on reliable, independent sources that provide in-depth coverage of the subject. Resumes often fall short of this standard, relying on primary sources or sources that lack significant coverage.

So, having a specific decline reason for resumes helps streamline the review process and ensures that submissions meet Wikipedia's rigorous standards. By clearly articulating why a submission is not suitable, we provide valuable feedback to submitters and guide them toward creating content that aligns with Wikipedia's goals.

The New Decline Reason: A Closer Look

The new decline reason is designed to clearly and constructively explain why a resume-like submission is not appropriate for Wikipedia. The message, which will be used in the Articles for Creation Helper (AFCH), is as follows:

This submission appears to read more like a [[résumé]] than an entry in an encyclopedia. Encyclopedia articles should refer to a range of [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources|independent, reliable, published sources]], that provide [[Wikipedia:Secondary sources|secondary analysis]] of the subject's life in context. In contrast, résumés will tend to list individual accomplishments and rely on [[Wikipedia:BLPSELFPUB|self-published sources]], which might [[Wikipedia:DUE|unduly focus]] on positive events and fail to properly balance their weight. [[Wikipedia:Writing Wikipedia articles backward|Please rewrite your submission]] to comply with these policies by using [[Wikipedia:42|independent, reliable sources]].

Let's break down the key components of this message:

• Clear Identification of the Issue: The message immediately points out that the submission reads like a resume, setting the context for the decline.
• Emphasis on Encyclopedic Standards: It highlights the importance of using independent, reliable sources and providing secondary analysis, which are crucial elements of a Wikipedia article.
• Explanation of the Pitfalls of Resume-Like Submissions: The message explains why resumes are problematic, including their reliance on self-published sources, undue focus on positive events, and failure to provide balanced coverage.
• Guidance on How to Improve the Submission: It directs submitters to relevant Wikipedia policies and guidelines, such as the need for independent sources and the importance of writing from a neutral point of view. It also suggests rewriting the submission to comply with these policies.
• Links to Relevant Policies and Guidelines: The message includes links to key Wikipedia policies and guidelines, such as [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources]], [[Wikipedia:Secondary sources]], [[Wikipedia:BLPSELFPUB]], [[Wikipedia:DUE]], and [[Wikipedia:Writing Wikipedia articles backward]]. These links provide submitters with direct access to the information they need to understand and address the issues with their submission.

This decline reason is not just about rejecting submissions; it's about educating submitters and helping them understand what it takes to create a successful Wikipedia article. By providing clear and constructive feedback, we can encourage submitters to revise their work and contribute valuable content to the encyclopedia.

Implementation: Adding the Decline Reason to AFCH and On-Wiki Templates

Okay, so now that we understand the importance of this new decline reason, let's talk about how it will be implemented. The process involves two main steps:

1. Adding the Decline Reason to AFCH: The first step is to add the new decline reason to the Articles for Creation Helper tool. This will make it available to reviewers when they are assessing submissions. When a reviewer encounters a submission that resembles a resume, they can select this decline reason from the dropdown menu, and the pre-written message will be automatically added to the decline notice.
2. Updating On-Wiki Templates: In addition to adding the decline reason to AFCH, it's also crucial to update relevant templates on Wikipedia. These templates are used in various places, such as talk pages and user pages, to communicate with submitters about the status of their submissions. By adding the new decline reason to these templates, we ensure that the message is consistently used across the platform.

By implementing this decline reason in both AFCH and on-wiki templates, we create a unified and consistent approach to addressing resume-like submissions. This consistency helps ensure that submitters receive clear and accurate feedback, regardless of where they encounter the decline notice.

The Consensus Behind the Change

This update isn't just a random decision; it's based on a consensus reached through discussion within the Wikipedia community. The discussion took place at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Articles_for_creation#Decline_criterion_for_r%C3%A9sum%C3%A9s, where editors weighed in on the need for a specific decline reason for resumes. The consensus was clear: a dedicated decline reason would help improve the quality of submissions and streamline the review process.

The discussion highlighted several key points:

• The Prevalence of Resume-Like Submissions: Editors noted that they frequently encounter submissions that read like resumes, indicating a need for a standardized way to address this issue.
• The Importance of Clear Communication: Participants emphasized the need for a clear and constructive message that explains why a resume-like submission is not appropriate for Wikipedia.
• The Value of Guiding Submitters: The discussion underscored the importance of providing guidance to submitters on how to improve their submissions and meet Wikipedia's standards.

The consensus-driven nature of this update reflects Wikipedia's collaborative spirit and commitment to community-based decision-making. By involving editors in the process, we ensure that changes are well-considered and aligned with the needs of the encyclopedia.

Why This Matters: Maintaining Wikipedia's Quality

So, why is this new decline reason such a big deal? It all boils down to maintaining the quality of Wikipedia. We want to ensure that the information on Wikipedia is reliable, accurate, and neutral. By having a specific decline reason for resumes, we're taking a proactive step to prevent non-encyclopedic content from entering the encyclopedia.

Think about it: if we allowed resume-like submissions to proliferate, Wikipedia would quickly become a collection of biased and poorly sourced articles. This would undermine the encyclopedia's credibility and make it a less valuable resource for readers. By enforcing strict standards for content, we uphold Wikipedia's reputation as a trusted source of information.

Moreover, this update helps create a more efficient and effective review process. By having a pre-written message for resume-like submissions, reviewers can quickly and consistently provide feedback to submitters. This saves time and allows reviewers to focus on other important tasks, such as assessing more complex submissions and providing in-depth guidance to new editors.

In the end, this new decline reason is about more than just rejecting submissions; it's about fostering a culture of quality and collaboration on Wikipedia. By providing clear feedback and guidance, we empower submitters to create better content and contribute to the encyclopedia's mission of providing free access to the sum of all human knowledge.

In Conclusion

Alright guys, that's the rundown on the new decline reason for resumes in the Articles for Creation Helper. It's a significant update that will help us maintain the quality of Wikipedia and ensure that submissions meet our encyclopedic standards. By clearly communicating why a submission is not suitable and providing guidance on how to improve, we can empower submitters to create valuable content for the encyclopedia.

Remember, Wikipedia is a collaborative project, and we all play a role in ensuring its success. By understanding and supporting these kinds of updates, we contribute to the ongoing effort to make Wikipedia the best it can be. Keep up the great work, everyone, and let's continue building a high-quality, reliable encyclopedia together!