Thread:NinjaClockworker/@comment-6986530-20140210153918

^ ^; Well you asked me for some and I don't think I'm a great authority on them but here's what I came up with so far...

1. When changing a word you think is incorrect or misspelled, check to make sure that it’s wrong.

--This is based on something I’ve seen where a user will take a word that’s less common in use and change it into another word they find more familiar, even in cases where the more familiar word makes less sense than the first one.

--Look up the word first to see if it’s actually a typo or if it has a real meaning. Furthermore, check how it might be used in a sentence to make sure it’s correct. Do not go on gut instinct. 8U

                --Also about spelling, make sure to keep up to date on name-changing policies via the wiki’s Discussion Threads. You can help by implementing these policies as well in places where we missed a couple names.

 Here’s an Example for Spelling: “X decided to forgo the treatment” is a correct sentence. A user may see this sentence and change it to “X decided to forgot the treatment” or, more charitably, “X decided to forget the treatment.” Neither of the corrections are actually correct, or more appropriate.

2. Don’t make a change that’s unnecessary.

--Obviously this is a difficult line to draw, but it is one of the unspoken policies of the wiki that we are trying to avoid going back and forth with page edits. (Such as in the case of avatars.) Therefore, we try to avoid edits that are, basically, just people rewording something because it sounds better to them.

--This may be made under the same principle as the first one, that someone may see something and think it is grammatically inaccurate when, in fact, it is just a way to phrase things that they are unfamiliar with. It’s also really important that your rewording is not more grammatically incorrect than the previous one. Sound it out to see if it makes sense.

--This can also, of course, apply not just to grammar but also not wanting readers to be misled about something. See the argument for changing “assassinated” to “killed” when describing Kachess’ actions towards Sateriasis.

--It is okay, however, to rewrite something if you can make an argument for why the rewording is better for the article and not just preferable to you. ^ ^;

--I mean obviously if it is grammatically incorrect then change it 8V just make sure.

 Here’s an Example for Rewording: “After asking the girl about her reasons for doing so, X packed up her supplies and left.” Is a correct sentence. A user may see this sentence and not like the way it sounds to them. They might change it to “X asked why she did the deed and then packed up her things, leaving soon after.” This was unnecessary.

3. If you’ve made a change on several pages consistently and it consistently has been reverted, that change has probably been deemed unnecessary or inaccurate. :P

--Like the “’s” discussion we had, but also applies to broader things I’ve seen of other users and anons, like adding trivia.

--In that case, ask for clarification on why the change was reverted (if no answer was given or if it isn’t immediately obvious.) You can debate the necessity of the change if you do.

--In the end, if the change isn’t necessary or detrimental to the quality of the page, don’t keep making it. That’ll just be reverted.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">4. Consistency is important in editing pages.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">--A lot of this can apply to capitalization, spelling improvements, or when a word change has been put into effect. Make your change throughout the whole article, or it just looks sloppy and confusing to readers.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">--This is a pretty easy pit to fall into—I usually try to avoid it with the “find” tool on my browser to make sure I catch every instance of the word that needs changing.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none">I might update these at some point @~@;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"> <ac_metadata title="Tips"> </ac_metadata>