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If everyone follows this '''Manual of Style''', [[Directory:Centiare|Centiare]] will be easier for readers and editors to use. However, different Centiare articles are written with different audiences in mind, and editors are free to adapt their style accordingly. This manual, along with the supplemental manuals linked from it, provides guidance for those seeking it, but does not prescribe rigid rules that must always be followed.

If everyone follows this '''Manual of Style''', [[Directory:MyWikiBiz|MyWikiBiz]] will be easier for readers and editors to use. However, different MyWikiBiz articles are written with different audiences in mind, and editors are free to adapt their style accordingly. This manual, along with the supplemental manuals linked from it, provides guidance for those seeking it, but does not prescribe rigid rules that must always be followed.

==Which style to use==

==Which style to use==

If this page does not specify which usage is preferred:

If this page does not specify which usage is preferred:

* Use other reliable resources, such as the style guides listed below.  

* Use other reliable resources, such as the style guides listed below.  

* Discuss your problems or propose missing style guidance on [[Centiare talk:Manual of Style]].  

* Discuss your problems or propose missing style guidance on [[MyWikiBiz talk:Manual of Style]].  

* Simply look around. Open articles for editing to see how editors have put it together.

* Simply look around. Open articles for editing to see how editors have put it together.

Style guides that can be used on Centiare include ''[[The Chicago Manual of Style]]'' (from the [[University of Chicago Press]]) and [[Fowler's Modern English Usage|Fowler’s ''Modern English Usage'' (3rd edition)]] (from the [[Oxford University Press]]).  ''Chicago'' also provides an online guide, the ''Chicago Manual of Style Online''. [http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html] Style guides available at no cost are the ''Mayfield Electronic Handbook of Technical & Scientific Writing'' [http://www.imoat.net/handbook/] and the ''CMS Crib Sheet'' by Dr. Abel Scribe. [http://www.docstyles.com/cmscrib.htm]

Style guides that can be used on MyWikiBiz include ''[[The Chicago Manual of Style]]'' (from the [[University of Chicago Press]]) and [[Fowler's Modern English Usage|Fowler’s ''Modern English Usage'' (3rd edition)]] (from the [[Oxford University Press]]).  ''Chicago'' also provides an online guide, the ''Chicago Manual of Style Online''. [http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html] Style guides available at no cost are the ''Mayfield Electronic Handbook of Technical & Scientific Writing'' [http://www.imoat.net/handbook/] and the ''CMS Crib Sheet'' by Dr. Abel Scribe. [http://www.docstyles.com/cmscrib.htm]

==Article titles==

==Article titles==

{{main|Centiare:Naming conventions}}  

{{main|Help:Naming conventions}}  

If possible, make the title the [[subject (grammar)|subject]] of the first sentence of the article (as opposed to putting it in the [[Predicate (grammar)|predicate]] or in a subsequent sentence). For example, write “This '''Manual of Style''' is a style guide” instead of “This style guide is known as ....”.  Use the article title as early as possible in the article.

If possible, make the title the [[subject (grammar)|subject]] of the first sentence of the article (as opposed to putting it in the [[Predicate (grammar)|predicate]] or in a subsequent sentence). For example, write “This '''Manual of Style''' is a style guide” instead of “This style guide is known as ....”.  Use the article title as early as possible in the article.

==Sections and headings==

==Sections and headings==

{{main|Centiare:Manual of Style (headings)}}

{{main|Help:Manual of Style (headings)}}

{{see also|Centiare:Guide to layout}}

{{see also|Help:Guide to layout}}

{{see also|Centiare:Lead section}}

{{see also|Help:Lead section}}

{{see also|Help:Section}}

{{see also|Help:Section}}

===Markup===

===Markup===

Use the <tt>==</tt> (two equal signs) style markup for headings (also called ''section titles''), not the <nowiki>'''</nowiki> (triple apostrophes) used to make words appear '''boldface''' in  [[Centiare:How_to_edit_a_page#Character_formatting|character formatting]]. Start with <tt>==</tt>, add the heading title, then end with <tt>==</tt>.

Use the <tt>==</tt> (two equal signs) style markup for headings (also called ''section titles''), not the <nowiki>'''</nowiki> (triple apostrophes) used to make words appear '''boldface''' in  [[Help:How_to_edit_a_page#Character_formatting|character formatting]]. Start with <tt>==</tt>, add the heading title, then end with <tt>==</tt>.

This section's heading was created with the markup:

This section's heading was created with the markup:

If you link to a section, do not italicize the section name, unless it otherwise requires italics (for example, if it is the title of a book). Linking a term provides sufficient indication that you are using a term as a term, which is what you would otherwise use italics for.

If you link to a section, do not italicize the section name, unless it otherwise requires italics (for example, if it is the title of a book). Linking a term provides sufficient indication that you are using a term as a term, which is what you would otherwise use italics for.

If you change a section title, you may be able to check for broken links. For example, at google.com you could search for ''centiare “section management”'' and have a fair chance of finding links to this section.

If you change a section title, you may be able to check for broken links. For example, at google.com you could search for ''mywikibiz “section management”'' and have a fair chance of finding links to this section.

==Capital letters==

==Capital letters==

{{main|Centiare:Manual of Style (capital letters)}}

{{main|Help:Manual of Style (capital letters)}}

[[American English]] and [[British English]] sometimes differ in their inclination to use capitals. If possible, as with spelling, use rules appropriate to the cultural and linguistic context. In other words, do not enforce American rules on pages about Commonwealth topics or Commonwealth rules on pages about American topics. In regard to pages about other cultures, choose either style, but be consistent within the page itself.

[[American English]] and [[British English]] sometimes differ in their inclination to use capitals. If possible, as with spelling, use rules appropriate to the cultural and linguistic context. In other words, do not enforce American rules on pages about Commonwealth topics or Commonwealth rules on pages about American topics. In regard to pages about other cultures, choose either style, but be consistent within the page itself.

In the case of “prime minister”, either both words begin with a capital letter or neither, except of course when the term begins a sentence. When using the term generically, do not capitalize it: “There are many prime ministers around the world.” When referring to a specific office, generally use uppercase: “The British Prime Minister is Tony Blair.” (A good rule of thumb is this: when the modifier is the definite article ''the'', use “Prime Minister”; when the modifier is the indefinite article ''a'', use “prime minister”. When there is no article, some style manuals recommend, for example, “British prime minister”.)

In the case of “prime minister”, either both words begin with a capital letter or neither, except of course when the term begins a sentence. When using the term generically, do not capitalize it: “There are many prime ministers around the world.” When referring to a specific office, generally use uppercase: “The British Prime Minister is Tony Blair.” (A good rule of thumb is this: when the modifier is the definite article ''the'', use “Prime Minister”; when the modifier is the indefinite article ''a'', use “prime minister”. When there is no article, some style manuals recommend, for example, “British prime minister”.)

For the use of titles and honorifics in biographical articles, see [[Centiare:Manual of Style (biographies)#Honorific_prefixes]].

For the use of titles and honorifics in biographical articles, see [[Help:Manual of Style (biographies)#Honorific_prefixes]].

===Religions, deities, philosophies, doctrines, and their adherents===

===Religions, deities, philosophies, doctrines, and their adherents===

Names of religions, whether as a noun or an adjective, and their followers start with a capital letter. The [[Latter Day Saint movement]] has particular complications — see [[Centiare:Manual of Style (Latter Day Saints)]] and [[Centiare:Naming conventions (Latter Day Saints)]].

Names of religions, whether as a noun or an adjective, and their followers start with a capital letter. The [[Latter Day Saint movement]] has particular complications — see [[Help:Manual of Style (Latter Day Saints)]] and [[Help:Naming conventions (Latter Day Saints)]].

Deities begin with a capital letter: ''God'', ''Allah'', ''Freya'', ''the Lord'', ''the Supreme Being'', ''the Messiah''. (Note that articles, such as “the” are not capitalized.) The same is true when referring to important religious figures, such as Muhammad, by terms such as ''the Prophet''. Transcendent ideas in the Platonic sense also begin with a capital letter: ''Good'' and ''Truth''. Pronouns referring to deities, or nouns (other than names) referring to any material or abstract representation of any deity, human or otherwise, do not begin with a capital letter.  Thus while it is accepted correct usage to say, “He prayed to Wotan”; since ''Wotan'' in this case is a proper name, it is correctly capitalized, but the common use of gods in this sense is not capitalized.  Thus one would ''not'' say "He prayed to the God Wotan," but instead would say "He prayed to the god Wotan."  The following sentence would be correct usage: “It was thought that he prayed to God, but it turned out he prayed to one of the Norse gods.”

Deities begin with a capital letter: ''God'', ''Allah'', ''Freya'', ''the Lord'', ''the Supreme Being'', ''the Messiah''. (Note that articles, such as “the” are not capitalized.) The same is true when referring to important religious figures, such as Muhammad, by terms such as ''the Prophet''. Transcendent ideas in the Platonic sense also begin with a capital letter: ''Good'' and ''Truth''. Pronouns referring to deities, or nouns (other than names) referring to any material or abstract representation of any deity, human or otherwise, do not begin with a capital letter.  Thus while it is accepted correct usage to say, “He prayed to Wotan”; since ''Wotan'' in this case is a proper name, it is correctly capitalized, but the common use of gods in this sense is not capitalized.  Thus one would ''not'' say "He prayed to the God Wotan," but instead would say "He prayed to the god Wotan."  The following sentence would be correct usage: “It was thought that he prayed to God, but it turned out he prayed to one of the Norse gods.”

===Calendar items===

===Calendar items===

{{further|[[Centiare:Manual of Style (dates and numbers)]]}}

{{further|[[Help:Manual of Style (dates and numbers)]]}}

The names of months, days, and holidays always begin with a capital letter: June, Monday, Fourth of July (when referring to the [[Independence Day (United States)|U.S. Independence Day]], otherwise July 4 or 4 July).

The names of months, days, and holidays always begin with a capital letter: June, Monday, Fourth of July (when referring to the [[Independence Day (United States)|U.S. Independence Day]], otherwise July 4 or 4 July).

===Animals, plants, and other organisms===

===Animals, plants, and other organisms===

{{main|Centiare:WikiProject Tree of Life#Article titles and common names|Centiare:Naming conventions (fauna)}}

{{main|Help:WikiProject Tree of Life#Article titles and common names|Help:Naming conventions (fauna)}}

Capitalize the name of a genus but not the name of a species (and italicize both names): for example, the tulip tree is ''Liriodendron tulipifera''.  

Capitalize the name of a genus but not the name of a species (and italicize both names): for example, the tulip tree is ''Liriodendron tulipifera''.  

Editors have hotly debated whether the common names of species should start with a capital letter, and this remains unresolved.  As a matter of truce, both styles are acceptable (except for proper names), but create a [[Centiare:Redirect|redirect]] from the alternative form.

Editors have hotly debated whether the common names of species should start with a capital letter, and this remains unresolved.  As a matter of truce, both styles are acceptable (except for proper names), but create a [[Help:Redirect|redirect]] from the alternative form.

===Celestial bodies===

===Celestial bodies===

==Italics==

==Italics==

{{further|[[Centiare:Manual of Style (text formatting)]]}}

{{further|[[Help:Manual of Style (text formatting)]]}}

Use the <code><nowiki>''</nowiki></code> (italic) markup. Example:

Use the <code><nowiki>''</nowiki></code> (italic) markup. Example:

They are also used in these other cases:

They are also used in these other cases:

===Titles===

===Titles===

{{main|Centiare:Manual of Style (titles)}}

{{main|Help:Manual of Style (titles)}}

Italics are used for the titles of works of literature and art. (The titles of articles, chapters, and other short works are not italicized but are enclosed in double quotation marks.)

Italics are used for the titles of works of literature and art. (The titles of articles, chapters, and other short works are not italicized but are enclosed in double quotation marks.)

=== Foreign terms ===

=== Foreign terms ===

Centiare prefers italics for phrases in other languages and for isolated foreign words that do not yet have common use in the English language. Use anglicized spellings for such words, or use the native spellings if they use the [[Latin alphabet]] (with or without [[diacritic]]s).  For example: “Reading and writing in Japanese requires familiarity with ''[[hiragana]]'', ''[[katakana]]'', ''[[kanji]]'', and sometimes ''[[romaji|r&#333;maji]]''.”   

MyWikiBiz prefers italics for phrases in other languages and for isolated foreign words that do not yet have common use in the English language. Use anglicized spellings for such words, or use the native spellings if they use the [[Latin alphabet]] (with or without [[diacritic]]s).  For example: “Reading and writing in Japanese requires familiarity with ''[[hiragana]]'', ''[[katakana]]'', ''[[kanji]]'', and sometimes ''[[romaji|r&#333;maji]]''.”   

[[Loan word]]s or phrases that have common use in English, however—[[praetor]], [[Gestapo]], [[samurai]], [[esprit de corps]]—do not require italicization.  If looking for a good rule of thumb, do not italicize words that appear in an English language dictionary. Per the [[Centiare:Guide to writing better articles#Use other languages sparingly|guide to writing better Centiare articles]], use foreign words sparingly, and include native spellings in non-Latin scripts in parentheses. Native spellings in non-Latin scripts (such as [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] or [[Cyrillic alphabet|Cyrillic]]) should not be italicized at all, even where this is technically feasible; the difference of script suffices.

[[Loan word]]s or phrases that have common use in English, however—[[praetor]], [[Gestapo]], [[samurai]], [[esprit de corps]]—do not require italicization.  If looking for a good rule of thumb, do not italicize words that appear in an English language dictionary. Per the [[Help:Guide to writing better articles#Use other languages sparingly|guide to writing better MyWikiBiz articles]], use foreign words sparingly, and include native spellings in non-Latin scripts in parentheses. Native spellings in non-Latin scripts (such as [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] or [[Cyrillic alphabet|Cyrillic]]) should not be italicized at all, even where this is technically feasible; the difference of script suffices.

===Quotations in italics===

===Quotations in italics===

==Acronyms and abbreviations==

==Acronyms and abbreviations==

{{main|Centiare:Manual of Style (abbreviations)}}

{{main|Help:Manual of Style (abbreviations)}}

Do not assume that your reader is familiar with the acronym or abbreviation you are using.  The standard writing style is to spell out the acronym or abbreviation on the first reference (wikilinked if appropriate) and then show the acronym or abbreviation after it, in parentheses.  This tells readers they will probably find it later in the text and makes it easy for them to refer back to it. For example:

Do not assume that your reader is familiar with the acronym or abbreviation you are using.  The standard writing style is to spell out the acronym or abbreviation on the first reference (wikilinked if appropriate) and then show the acronym or abbreviation after it, in parentheses.  This tells readers they will probably find it later in the text and makes it easy for them to refer back to it. For example:

When abbreviating ''United States'', “U.S.” is the more common style in that country. When referring to the United States in a long abbreviation (USA, USN, USAF), periods should not be used. When including the United States in a list of countries, do not abbreviate the “United States” (for example, “France and the United States”, not “France and the U.S.”).

When abbreviating ''United States'', “U.S.” is the more common style in that country. When referring to the United States in a long abbreviation (USA, USN, USAF), periods should not be used. When including the United States in a list of countries, do not abbreviate the “United States” (for example, “France and the United States”, not “France and the U.S.”).

[[MediaWiki|The software]] that Centiare runs on does not support [[HTML]] acronym or abbreviation elements (<code>&lt;acronym&gt;</code> or <code>&lt;abbr&gt;</code>), so these tags should not be inserted into the source.  (See [[Mediazilla:671]].)

[[MediaWiki|The software]] that MyWikiBiz runs on does not support [[HTML]] acronym or abbreviation elements (<code>&lt;acronym&gt;</code> or <code>&lt;abbr&gt;</code>), so these tags should not be inserted into the source.  (See [[Mediazilla:671]].)

Contemporary style omits many periods and spaces that were traditionally required. For example, ''PhD'' is preferred over ''Ph.D.'' or ''Ph. D.''.

Contemporary style omits many periods and spaces that were traditionally required. For example, ''PhD'' is preferred over ''Ph.D.'' or ''Ph. D.''.

==== Quotation marks affect searching ====

==== Quotation marks affect searching ====

If a word or phrase appears in an article in single-quotes, such as 'abcd', the [[Centiare:Searching]] facility considers the single-quotes to be part of the word and will find that word or phrase only if the search string is also within single-quotes. (When trying this out with the example mentioned, remember that this article is in the Centiare namespace.) Avoiding this complication is an additional reason to use double-quotes, for which the difficulty does not arise. It may even be a reason to use double-quotes for quotations within quotations.

If a word or phrase appears in an article in single-quotes, such as 'abcd', the [[Help:Searching]] facility considers the single-quotes to be part of the word and will find that word or phrase only if the search string is also within single-quotes. (When trying this out with the example mentioned, remember that this article is in the Help namespace.) Avoiding this complication is an additional reason to use double-quotes, for which the difficulty does not arise. It may even be a reason to use double-quotes for quotations within quotations.

=== Brackets ===

=== Brackets ===

===Dashes===

===Dashes===

{{main|Centiare:Manual of Style (dashes)}}

{{main|Help:Manual of Style (dashes)}}

The hyphen (-) is used to form compound words. The en-dash (–) is used to specify numeric ranges. The em-dash (—) can be used to link clauses of a sentence, as can the spaced en dash ( – ); see [[Centiare:Manual of Style_(dashes)|main article]]. Other dashes, notably the double-hyphen (--), should be avoided.

The hyphen (-) is used to form compound words. The en-dash (–) is used to specify numeric ranges. The em-dash (—) can be used to link clauses of a sentence, as can the spaced en dash ( – ); see [[Help:Manual of Style_(dashes)|main article]]. Other dashes, notably the double-hyphen (--), should be avoided.

===Spaces after the end of a sentence===

===Spaces after the end of a sentence===

==Pronunciation==

==Pronunciation==

{{main|Centiare:Manual of Style (pronunciation)}}

{{main|Help:Manual of Style (pronunciation)}}

==Scientific style==

==Scientific style==

{{main|Centiare:Technical terms and definitions}}

{{main|Help:Technical terms and definitions}}

   

   

*For [[Units of measurement|unit]]s of measure, use [[SI]] units as the main units in science articles, unless there are compelling historical or pragmatic reasons not to do so (for example, [[Hubble's constant|Hubble’s constant]] should be quoted in its most common unit of ([[Kilometre|km]]/[[Second|s]])/[[Megaparsec|Mpc]] rather than its SI unit of s⁻¹). For other articles, [[Imperial unit|Imperial]], [[United States customary units |U.S. customary]], or [[Metric system|metric]] units may be used as the main units of measurement. See [[Centiare:Manual of Style (dates and numbers)#Units of measurement]] for further guidance. The Centiare rule for commas and periods in numbers is, for example 12,345,678.901 &mdash; contrary to Continental style.

*For [[Units of measurement|unit]]s of measure, use [[SI]] units as the main units in science articles, unless there are compelling historical or pragmatic reasons not to do so (for example, [[Hubble's constant|Hubble’s constant]] should be quoted in its most common unit of ([[Kilometre|km]]/[[Second|s]])/[[Megaparsec|Mpc]] rather than its SI unit of s⁻¹). For other articles, [[Imperial unit|Imperial]], [[United States customary units |U.S. customary]], or [[Metric system|metric]] units may be used as the main units of measurement. See [[Help:Manual of Style (dates and numbers)#Units of measurement]] for further guidance. The MyWikiBiz rule for commas and periods in numbers is, for example 12,345,678.901 &mdash; contrary to Continental style.

*In articles about [[chemical]]s and [[chemistry]], use the style of the [[IUPAC|International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry]] (IUPAC) for chemical names wherever possible except in article titles, where the common name should be used if different followed by mention of the IUPAC name.  For general information see [[systematic name]], and for organic compounds in particular see [[IUPAC nomenclature]].

*In articles about [[chemical]]s and [[chemistry]], use the style of the [[IUPAC|International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry]] (IUPAC) for chemical names wherever possible except in article titles, where the common name should be used if different followed by mention of the IUPAC name.  For general information see [[systematic name]], and for organic compounds in particular see [[IUPAC nomenclature]].

*In [[periodic table group]]s, use the <!--if you want to say “new” here, please follow the section in this manual about avoiding the word ''new''-->IUPAC names (these use [[Arabic numerals|Hindu-Arabic numerals]], not [[Roman numerals]] or letters).

*In [[periodic table group]]s, use the <!--if you want to say “new” here, please follow the section in this manual about avoiding the word ''new''-->IUPAC names (these use [[Arabic numerals|Hindu-Arabic numerals]], not [[Roman numerals]] or letters).

*For [[mathematics]] and [[mathematical formula]]e, see [[Centiare:Mathematics]].

*For [[mathematics]] and [[mathematical formula]]e, see [[Help:Mathematics]].

==Simple tabulation==

==Simple tabulation==

==National varieties of English==

==National varieties of English==

{{see also|Centiare:Manual of Style (spelling)}}

{{see also|Help:Manual of Style (spelling)}}

Cultural clashes over grammar, spelling, and capitalisation/capitalization are a common experience on Centiare. Remember that millions of people have been taught to use a form of English different from yours, including different spellings, grammatical constructions, and punctuation. For the English Centiare, while a nationally predominant form should be used, there is no preference among the major national varieties of English; none is more “correct” than any other. However, there is certain etiquette generally accepted on Centiare, as listed here.  They are roughly in order of importance; guidelines earlier in this list will usually take precedence over guidelines later:

Cultural clashes over grammar, spelling, and capitalisation/capitalization are a common experience on MyWikiBiz. Remember that millions of people have been taught to use a form of English different from yours, including different spellings, grammatical constructions, and punctuation. For the English MyWikiBiz, while a nationally predominant form should be used, there is no preference among the major national varieties of English; none is more “correct” than any other. However, there is certain etiquette generally accepted on MyWikiBiz, as listed here.  They are roughly in order of importance; guidelines earlier in this list will usually take precedence over guidelines later:

* '''Articles should use the same dialect throughout.'''

* '''Articles should use the same dialect throughout.'''

** Each article should have uniform spelling and not a haphazard mix of different spellings, which can be jarring to the reader. For example, do not use ''center'' in one place and ''centre'' in another in the same article (except in quotations or for comparison purposes).

** Each article should have uniform spelling and not a haphazard mix of different spellings, which can be jarring to the reader. For example, do not use ''center'' in one place and ''centre'' in another in the same article (except in quotations or for comparison purposes).

** If an article is predominantly written in one type of English, aim to conform to that type rather than provoking conflict by changing to another. (Sometimes, this can happen quite innocently, so please [[Centiare:Please do not bite the newcomers|do not be too quick to make accusations]]!)

** If an article is predominantly written in one type of English, aim to conform to that type rather than provoking conflict by changing to another. (Sometimes, this can happen quite innocently, so please [[Help:Please do not bite the newcomers|do not be too quick to make accusations]]!)

* '''If there is a strong tie to a specific region/dialect, use that dialect.'''

* '''If there is a strong tie to a specific region/dialect, use that dialect.'''

** Proper names should retain their original spellings, for example, ''[[United States Department of Defense]]'' and ''[[Australian Defence Force]]''.

** Proper names should retain their original spellings, for example, ''[[United States Department of Defense]]'' and ''[[Australian Defence Force]]''.

** If the spelling appears in an article name, you should make [[Wikipedia:Redirect|redirect]] pages to accommodate the other variants, as with [[Artefact]] and [[Artifact]].

** If the spelling appears in an article name, you should make [[Wikipedia:Redirect|redirect]] pages to accommodate the other variants, as with [[Artefact]] and [[Artifact]].

* '''Follow the dialect of the first contributor.'''

* '''Follow the dialect of the first contributor.'''

** If all else fails, consider following the spelling style preferred by the first major contributor (that is, not a [[Centiare:Stub|stub]]) to the article.

** If all else fails, consider following the spelling style preferred by the first major contributor (that is, not a [[Help:Stub|stub]]) to the article.

For reference on different dialects, consult Centiare articles such as [[English plural]] and [[American and British English differences]].

For reference on different dialects, consult MyWikiBiz articles such as [[English plural]] and [[American and British English differences]].

Finally, in the event of conflicts on this issue, please remember that if the use of ''your'' preferred version of English seems like a matter of great national pride to you, the differences are actually relatively minor when you consider the many users who are not native English speakers at all and yet make significant contributions to Centiare, or how small the differences between national varieties are compared with other languages.  There are many more productive and enjoyable ways to participate than worrying and fighting about which version of English to use on any particular page.

Finally, in the event of conflicts on this issue, please remember that if the use of ''your'' preferred version of English seems like a matter of great national pride to you, the differences are actually relatively minor when you consider the many users who are not native English speakers at all and yet make significant contributions to MyWikiBiz, or how small the differences between national varieties are compared with other languages.  There are many more productive and enjoyable ways to participate than worrying and fighting about which version of English to use on any particular page.

==Big, little, long, short==

==Big, little, long, short==

  <code><nowiki>[[Image:picture.jpg|120px|right|thumb|Insert caption here]]</nowiki></code>

  <code><nowiki>[[Image:picture.jpg|120px|right|thumb|Insert caption here]]</nowiki></code>

{{further|Centiare:Picture tutorial}}

{{further|Help:Picture tutorial}}

==Captions==

==Captions==

{{main|Centiare:Captions}}

{{main|Help:Captions}}

Photos and other graphics should have captions unless they are “self-captioning”, as in reproductions of album or book covers, or when the graphic is an unambiguous depiction of the subject of the article. For example, in a biography article, a caption is not needed for a portrait of the subject pictured alone; however, most entries use the name of the subject and the birth and death years and an approximation of the date when the image was taken: “John Smith (1812–95) circa 1880” or “John Smith (1812–95) on January 12, 1880 in Paris”.

Photos and other graphics should have captions unless they are “self-captioning”, as in reproductions of album or book covers, or when the graphic is an unambiguous depiction of the subject of the article. For example, in a biography article, a caption is not needed for a portrait of the subject pictured alone; however, most entries use the name of the subject and the birth and death years and an approximation of the date when the image was taken: “John Smith (1812–95) circa 1880” or “John Smith (1812–95) on January 12, 1880 in Paris”.

==Identity==

==Identity==

This is perhaps an area where Centiare's flexibility and plurality are an asset, and where we would not want all pages to look exactly alike. Centiare's [[Centiare:Neutral point of view|neutral point of view]] and [[Centiare:No original research|no original research]] policies always take precedence. However, here are some nonbinding guidelines that may help:

This is perhaps an area where MyWikiBiz's flexibility and plurality are an asset, and where we would not want all pages to look exactly alike. MyWikiBiz's [[Help:Neutral point of view|neutral point of view]] and [[Help:No original research|no original research]] policies always take precedence. However, here are some nonbinding guidelines that may help:

*Where known, use terminology that subjects use for themselves ([[self-identification]]). This can mean using the term an individual uses for himself or herself, or using the term a group most widely uses for itself. This includes referring to [[transgender]] individuals according to the names and pronouns they use to identify themselves.  

*Where known, use terminology that subjects use for themselves ([[self-identification]]). This can mean using the term an individual uses for himself or herself, or using the term a group most widely uses for itself. This includes referring to [[transgender]] individuals according to the names and pronouns they use to identify themselves.  

*Use specific terminology: People from Ethiopia (a country in Africa) should be described as Ethiopian, not African.

*Use specific terminology: People from Ethiopia (a country in Africa) should be described as Ethiopian, not African.

==Wikilinking==

==Wikilinking==

{{main|Centiare:Manual of Style (links)|Centiare:Only make links that are relevant to the context}}

{{main|Help:Manual of Style (links)|Help:Only make links that are relevant to the context}}

Make only [[Help:Contents/Links|links]] relevant to the context. It is not useful and can be very distracting to mark all possible words as hyperlinks. Links should add to the user’s experience; they should not detract from it by making the article harder to read. A high density of links can draw attention away from the high-value links that you would like your readers to follow up. Redundant links clutter up the page and make future maintenance harder. A link is the equivalent of a footnote in a print medium. Imagine if every second word in an encyclopedia article were followed by “(see:)”. Hence, the links should not be so numerous as to make the article harder to read.  

Make only [[Help:Contents/Links|links]] relevant to the context. It is not useful and can be very distracting to mark all possible words as hyperlinks. Links should add to the user’s experience; they should not detract from it by making the article harder to read. A high density of links can draw attention away from the high-value links that you would like your readers to follow up. Redundant links clutter up the page and make future maintenance harder. A link is the equivalent of a footnote in a print medium. Imagine if every second word in an encyclopedia article were followed by “(see:)”. Hence, the links should not be so numerous as to make the article harder to read.  

==== Color coding ====

==== Color coding ====

{{main|Centiare:Accessibility}}

{{main|Help:Accessibility}}

Using color ''alone'' to convey information ([[color coding]]) should not be done.  This is not accessible to people with [[color blindness]] (especially [[monochromacy]]), on black-and-white printouts, on older monitors with fewer colors, on monochrome displays ([[Personal digital assistant|PDAs]], [[cell phone]]s), and so on.

Using color ''alone'' to convey information ([[color coding]]) should not be done.  This is not accessible to people with [[color blindness]] (especially [[monochromacy]]), on black-and-white printouts, on older monitors with fewer colors, on monochrome displays ([[Personal digital assistant|PDAs]], [[cell phone]]s), and so on.

==External links==

==External links==

{{main|Centiare:External links}}

{{main|Help:External links}}

Links to websites outside of Centiare can be listed at the end of an article or embedded within the body of an article.

Links to websites outside of MyWikiBiz can be listed at the end of an article or embedded within the body of an article.

=== List of links ===

=== List of links ===

=== Embedded links ===

=== Embedded links ===

{{main|Centiare:Citing sources}}

{{main|Help:Citing sources}}

External links can be embedded in the body of an article to provide specific references. These links have no description other than an automatically generated number. For example:

External links can be embedded in the body of an article to provide specific references. These links have no description other than an automatically generated number. For example:

:<code><nowiki>Sample text [http://www.example.com]</nowiki></code>.

:<code><nowiki>Sample text [http://www.example.com]</nowiki></code>.

====Footnotes====

====Footnotes====

{{main|Centiare:Footnotes}}

{{main|Help:Footnotes}}

The References or Notes section can have a code which will copy your embedded link (with its external link, description and/or quote), into the References or Notes section and make it a functioning link there. Do not use this code with an embedded link alone; use it only if you're adding a citation or description of the link.

The References or Notes section can have a code which will copy your embedded link (with its external link, description and/or quote), into the References or Notes section and make it a functioning link there. Do not use this code with an embedded link alone; use it only if you're adding a citation or description of the link.