How to Use Wikipedia
Search Wikipedia to find reliable articles on any topic and use the references to verify the information.
Steps
- 1
Go to wikipedia.org
and type what you want to learn about into the search box at the top of the page.
- 2
Click the best matching result
from the list. The article title should match the topic you searched for.
- 3
Read the article introduction
first. The opening paragraph summarizes the most important facts about the topic.
- 4
Scroll down and click the blue links
within the article to learn more about related subjects.
- 5
Check the references section
at the bottom to see where the information came from. Click a numbered link to view the source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wikipedia accurate?Show
Wikipedia is generally reliable for broad topics but should not be your only source for academic research.
Can anyone edit Wikipedia?Show
Yes, anyone can edit most Wikipedia articles, which is why you should verify important facts through the cited sources.
How do I cite Wikipedia in my work?Show
Scroll to the bottom of the article and use the "Cite this page" link in the left sidebar to get a formatted citation.
Is Wikipedia free to use?Show
Yes, Wikipedia is completely free with no ads and is supported entirely by donations from users.
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Written by the HowToDoStuff.online editorial team. Last updated .