Wikipedia:You don't need to cite that the sky is blue
(Redirected from Wikipedia:NOTBLUE)
This essay contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia users. Essays may represent common ideas, or ideas that many users would not support. They are not rules. Think carefully about what they say before following them. |
Some people think that every single assertion in an article needs to be cited. That is not true, not even for an article that is a Good article or Very Good article candidate. That is called overcitation. The result of this is that these editors recommend other editors spend more time citing things that are considered by some not controversial.
Something only need be cited if it meets one of the following criteria:
- direct quotations,
- statistics,
- published opinion,
- counter-intuitive or controversial statements that are challenged or likely to be challenged, and
- contentious material relating to living persons.
Otherwise, it generally doesn't need to be cited.