HowTo:Tune up an article

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If you're reading this, read carefully, because this will show you step-by-step how to not write articles in a shitty format. You can use this as both a guide to tune up your own article, or one that you have come across.

Listed below are several things that are often overlooked when it comes to making an article. Even top Uncyclopedia writers make the mistakes below from time-to-time. Most of these mistakes regard format.

Number One: Introduction

The correct format. Notice how there is an introduction with the correct bolding (click to enlarge).

To better imitate Wikipedia's format, it is absolutely essential that you bold the title of your article the first time that it is used in the article itself. Below is an example. The title of the article is "Daddy Long Legs", and this is the first paragraph of the article:

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Daddy Long Legs (1958 - 1991) was a merciless yet famous pimp, credited for perfecting the pimp slap of death which prior to his era of pimping was in developmental stages...

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Note that the title of the article is one of the first words in the article. This is also something that is recommended. Also, the first time the article's title is used in the article itself it bolded, and a brief introduction follows. The only exceptions to these formatting rules are UnNews articles and HowTo articles.

Nobody knows how or why this is done. It just is. Or, if you're like a certain unnamed Uncyclopedian, you might feel that it's relevant to bold everything that you feel is essential to your article. This, unfortunately, causes aneurysms.

Number Two: Spell-checking

The incorrect formatting. Although the bolding is correct, there is no introduction. It jumps immediately to a subtitle (click to enlarge).

So many n00bs enjoy misspelling things. It's almost effortless to simply copy and paste an article and run it through a spell-check. Here's how to do it:

1. Click the "edit" tab at the top of the page, or if you're already editing it, skip this step. This is essential, because copied work from anywhere else other than an edit box cannot be read by some spell-checks.
2. Find an online spell-check, or use a word processing program to spell-check your work after you paste it. Remember: copy, don't cut. Cutting has lead to the loss of numerous articles.
3. Fix any misspelled words.
4. Copy and paste the work back into the edit box over the old work.

NOTE: If you are too lazy to do all that, use Mozilla Firefox with its internal spell check.

Indeed, you must copy it from an edit box (click to enlarge).

Because spell-checks aren't flawless, read over the article yourself to make sure everything is pretty. Make sure things sound right, because inconsistency is one of the number one causes of death on Uncyclopedia. We cut this one guy's fingers off for writing a really bad article one time.

For more on spelling and grammar, go here.

Number Three: Subtitle

Still incorrect formatting. Instead of a subtitle, it jumps immediately to a main title. This is still wrong (click to enlarge).

Never start an article with a subtitle; there should always be an introduction first. Basically, if there is no text before your "Contents" tab, you've probably broken this rule.

Number Four: Red Links & Categorizing

It cannot be stressed enough that red links are %$#@ing annoying. Red links are links that go nowhere. To avoid red links, do a search on Uncyclopedia to actually see if the article you're having the article link to even exists. Of course, do this in a new window to make sure you don't lose any work.

Also, please categorize your articles. Uncategorized articles are lost articles. Articles without a home...articles with no friends. So categorize them, you insensitive prick!

Here you can find every category on Uncyclopedia.

See also

• Uncyclopedia:How To Get Started Editing
• UnNews:Style Guide
• HowTo:Take a bad review out of context