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<noinclude>{{pp-protected|reason=This help page doesn't need to be edited by brand new users|small=yes}}</noinclude>{{intro to|The [[WP:MOS|Manual of Style]] (MoS or MOS) is an in-depth guide that provides standards on how to format Wikipedia articles. Following these guidelines helps keep the encyclopedia clear, consistent, and stable.
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The simplest way to do this is to find a well-written article and copy its formatting. But if you want more information on any formatting, the MoS probably has a recommendation (you can search its contents [[Help:Introduction to the Manual of Style/6|here]]).
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Remember, the MoS is a guideline; you don't need to have the whole thing memorized! It's there to assist you when you're unsure how to best display information, and to minimize arguments if another editor disagrees with your formatting choices.
{{nutshell|The Manual of Style exists to provide a clear, consistent and stable standard with which to format written Wikipedia articles.}}
[[Image:Encyclopaedia Britannica 15 with 2002.jpg|thumb|left|115px|We're working on shortening the MoS ... really.]]
The [[WP:MOS|Manual of Style]], sometimes abbreviated as MoS, is a long guide that provides standards on how to format written Wikipedia articles. Because there are so many articles out there, it is important to follow it as a guideline as best you can; this is so that your contribution can remain clear, consistent and stable. The simplest way to do this is just to find a well written article and copy its formatting.
This introduction provides a light gloss of some of the most important features of the Manual of Style that will help in getting you around.
[[File:Wikilink example small.png|thumb|290px|right|Example of good wiki linking.]]
===Links===
Linking through [[Hyperlink|hyperlinks]] is an important feature of Wikipedia. Internal links (or 'wikilinks') bind the project together into an interconnected whole. Links provide instant pathways to locations within the project that are likely to increase our readers' understanding of the topic at hand. You can read more about how to add them [[Help:Introduction to editing with VisualEditor/3|here]].
For how many internal links to include in an article, you want to ask yourself, "Would a reader of this subject be interested in that other article? Does it help explain concept that is only briefly described in this article?". Typically, the first instance of an important word should be linked to the relevant article on that topic.
External links (to other websites other than Wikipedia) can be added in the 'External links' section along with a short description. These should only be included if highly relevant or provides more detail than the article has space for. Websites used as references to the article's content should in stead be put in the 'References' section.
'''See also:'''
* [[User:Tony1/Build_your_linking_skills|An exercise for building your linking skills]]
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Content is more important than formatting, and other editors can assist you if you're in doubt (similarly, [[wikipedia:Assume good faith|assume good faith]] when others help by formatting your writing).
[[Category:Wikipedia quick introductions]]
[[Category:Wikipedia Manual of Style]]
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