Wikiversity:Readability

Basic truths of readability

 * People tend to give up when you try to cram 40 specific instructions in their head, but usually do well with two or three main ideas.
 * We already have Wikipedia, Wikibooks, and various other websites and books which have gone into details.
 * It's not useful to reinvent the wheel.
 * It is useful to improve the wheel by surveying the field to figure out how other peoples' interpretation of the wheel can be more useful.
 * Unless your reader understands why you're right, you're not right.
 * Often, when a person sees a very large Wikipedia page, they'll end up reading less than if it was shorter.

The ideal format of a Wikiversity page

 * Simple
 * Short (Less than about 6 screen lengths per wiki page)
 * Does not go too far into details (Links to details)
 * Doesn't require a major time investment to get what you want
 * Useful
 * Fulfills a need or want
 * Is an original work
 * Cool
 * Looks good
 * Delivers information in a new and interesting way

How to achieve this

 * 1) Check Google, Wikipedia, Wikiversity, and Wikibooks for information related to your topic
 * 2) Skim through the available data, or truly read them if at all possible
 * 3) Decide what the major themes of the topic are
 * 4) Plan how to simply, effectively communicate only the important details, and where to link to specific details if the reader desires them