• Search first. Wikipedia is huge, and you can probably find the answer to your question much more quickly by looking for it yourself. Use the search box on the left or Google site search for searching Wikipedia. If there is no relevant information on Wikipedia, try an Internet search engine.
• Do your own homework. The reference desk will not give you answers for your homework, although we will try to help you out if there is a specific part of your homework you do not understand. Make an effort to show that you have tried solving it first.
• Do not request medical or legal advice. Any such questions may be removed. If you need medical or legal advice, do not ask it here. Ask a doctor, dentist, veterinarian, or lawyer instead. See also Wikipedia:Medical disclaimer and Wikipedia:Legal disclaimer.
• Do not start debates or post diatribes. The reference desk is not a soapbox.

How to ask a question

• Include a title and a question. It is easier for our volunteers if question formatting is consistent.
• Be specific. Make the title meaningful, so volunteers who can help with your question will find it. Clearly state your question and include any information that might help to understand the context (for example, a wikilink or a link to an online resource). If your question deals with local or national issues, make sure you specify what area of the world it applies to.
• Do not provide contact information, such as your e-mail address, home address, or telephone number. Be aware that the content on Wikipedia is extensively copied to many websites; making your e-mail address public here may make it very public throughout the Internet.
• Sign your question. Type ~~~~ (four tildes) at the end of your question, to let the reference desk know who is asking.
• Do not crosspost. Post your question at one section of the reference desk only.
• Be patient. Your question probably will not be answered right away, so come back later and check for a response. Questions are normally answered at the same page on which they were asked. A complete answer to your question may be developed over a period of up to four days.

• Be thorough. Provide as much of the answer as you are able to.
• Be concise, not terse. Please write in a clear and easily understood manner. Keep your answer within the scope of the question as stated.
• Provide links when available, such as wikilinks to related articles, or links to the information that you used to find your answer.
• Be polite and assume good faith, especially with users new to Wikipedia.
• Don't edit others' posts, except to fix formatting errors that interfere with readability.
• Don't give any legal or medical advice. For your own safety, please read Wikipedia: medical disclaimer and Wikipedia: legal disclaimer.