Chalo Chatu:Contributor Toolkit

Your quick-access writing companion for creating accurate, consistent, and encyclopedic articles.

This toolkit provides:

• Standard article skeleton
• Cheat sheet for structure and style
• Formatting and markup examples
• Article creation checklist
• Shortcuts to commonly used templates

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Article Skeleton (Basic Structure)

```wikitext

Introduction

Start with a 1–2 paragraph lead that briefly explains:

• Who or what the subject is
• Where it fits into Zambia’s context
• Why it is notable or worth recording

Background or Early History

Describe the origins, creation, or early years of the subject.

Significance or Impact

Explain how the subject has influenced its field, location, or community.

Recent Developments / Present Day

Update the reader with current status or latest events (optional for older topics)

Categories

[[Category:Your topic category]]

Quick Style Guide

• Tone: Neutral, encyclopedic, formal (avoid opinions)
• Language: Use British English (e.g. “organisation”, not “organization”)
• Dates: Use "12 March 2025" format
• Quotes: Use double quotation marks: " "
• Numbers: Spell out one–nine; use numerals for 10 and above
• Avoid: Slang, first-person writing, political commentary

Most Common Templates

• {{Infobox person}} – for biographies
• {{Infobox school}} – for schools
• {{Infobox organisation}} – for ministries, NGOs, businesses
• {{Verified source}} – for fully cited content
• {{Oral history}} – for field-collected testimony
• {{Developing article}} – for ongoing events

Cheat Sheet: References

Citing a website:

Final Checklist Before Submission

☑ Clear and complete lead section
☑ Verified sources or logged oral history
☑ Proper headings and structure
☑ Infobox included (if relevant)
☑ Categories added
☑ Tagged with one of:

{{Verified source}}

{{Oral history}}

{{Developing article}}

Tools and Links

• Chalo Chatu:Editorial Policy
• Chalo Chatu:Content Inclusion Guidelines
• Chalo Chatu:File Upload and Metadata Policy
• Chalo Chatu:Oral History Protocol Pack
• Chalo Chatu:Contributor Handbook
• Chalo Chatu:Editorial Logbook

Last updated: 1 August 2025