Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit and contribute to. While articles are monitored for accuracy and cite reliable sources, not all entries can be thoroughly reviewed before publication. When using Wikipedia, users should evaluate articles using the "5 W's" - who wrote it, what information it provides, where it comes from, when it was published and last updated, and why it should be used - to help ensure reliability. The key is to verify all information on Wikipedia through other sources.

1. What’s Up With Wikipedia?
By Megann Fisher
Block 2

2. Wait, what is Wikipedia?
O Wikipedia is a free, web-based
encyclopedia that anyone can edit and
contribute to.

3. 1 Pro & 1 Con of Wikipedia
O Pro: Wikipedia is monitored for accuracy and most
articles do site reliable sources for the information
presented.
O Con: The person who writes the article may not
know everything on the topic and not all entries
can be reviewed before someone finds it.

4. So, how exactly do you use it??
O When you’re using Wikipedia, you want to
make sure the article is a good one, so
you want to make sure you use the 5 W’s
system.

5. Who?
Ask yourself these questions:
O Who is the author?
O Is there in depth information about the
author?
O Is there contact information for the
author?

6. What?
O What kind of information are you getting?
O Is the information biased?
O More than 1 point of view?
O Is the information neutral?
O Is it thorough & well organized?
O Complete and consistent?
O Well Written?
O Copyright status?

7. Where?
O Where is the link/website from?
O To find out where it’s from use the domain
name as a reference.

8. When?
O Is the information current?
O Is there a reference date?
O Does it show when the material was put
online?
O When was it last updated?
O Do all the links work?

9. Why?
O Why are you using this site?
O Can you find the information faster
somewhere else, including offline?
O Does this material suit your needs?
O Can you verify the information?

10. That’s all, folks!
O The main thing you have you remember
when using Wikipedia is to verify
everything!
O Wikipedia, when used correctly, can be a
great tool to use for research.