Wikipedia:How to improve civility

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an essay; it contains the advice and/or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. It is not a policy or guideline, and editors are not obliged to follow it.

Treat your fellow editor as a respected and admired colleague, who is working in collaboration with you on an important project.


See also:Wikipedia:Etiquette

[edit] Preventing incivility within Wikipedia

  • Use negative feedback (suggesting that an editor involved in conflict should leave a conflict or even temporarily avoid all controversial areas in Wikipedia). It may be worthwhile making such suggestions to both sides of the conflict.
  • Have certain users refrain from editing specific pages that often trigger incivility.
  • Walk away. Wikipedia is a very big place. Just go edit somewhere else for a while and return when tempers have cooled.

[edit] Reducing the impact

  • Balance criticisms by providing a constructive comment as well.
  • Do not reply to offensive comments. Forget about them. Forgive the editor. Do not escalate the conflict (an individual approach which allows a user to remain uninvolved).
  • Alternatively, respond to perceived incivility with greater civility and respect. Many editors will then moderate their tone to match yours.
  • Please. Thank you. I'm sorry. You're welcome. You're a good person and I know we'll work this out.

[edit] Suggest apologizing

See also: Wikipedia:Etiquette; Wikipedia:Be nice

Disputes, and even misunderstandings, can lead to situations in which one party feels injured by the other. The apology is a form of ritual exchange between both parties, where words are said that allow reconciliation.

For some people, it may be crucial to receive an apology from those who have offended them. A sincere apology is also often the key to the resolution of a conflict. An apology provides the opportunity for a fresh start. An apology can clear the air when one person's perceived incivility has offended another.