CopperWiki Article Framework

From CopperWiki

CopperWiki articles should aim to answer these questions

1. What's it all about? (Keyword introduction, definition/ short history ? etc)
2. Who should be bothered? Why should I be bothered?
3. How does it affect me/my family/my society/my country?
4. How does it affect the environment?
5. What can I do about it? (My choices based on where I live)
6. UNLEARN (Things to know, things to not know)
7. 90 degrees (creative suggestions of articles that can be developed e.g. autism and music)

First subsection

Introduction --(This subsection would be without a subheading) The introduction needs to establish why a particular topic needs to be on a Conscious Living platform like CopperWiki. Also, the first few lines could determine whether the article gets read or not. Here’s what the Intro should contain –

• The article should start with a short introduction about the keyword. The introduction should lead to the reason why the author has chosen to write this article in CopperWiki i.e. what does the author want to raise awareness about. How does the topic affect the reader, his home and his environment (Save the details for the ensuing paras)
• One helpful hint: beginning with an interesting factoid about the subject might make people sit up and take notice!

Short history ( optional – this depends on the keyword -- Recent concerns such as junk sleep or vegan travelling might not require this section) The introduction could be followed by a short history about the keyword. The historical facts included under this section should pique reader’s interest and raise his awareness about the rich background about the subject. Encyclopaedia like/academic/scientific/geographical details about the keyword’s history are not encouraged.

Why should I be aware of this?

The next subsection should address “Who should be bothered? What should I be bothered about?”

• This section should relate information about concerns regarding the keyword. Who all could be impacted by this subject/issue/topic? How are they impacted? How does it concern the reader / Why should it concern the reader?
• These concerns could be related to physical/mental health of people, the environment, ethics and our role and responsibilities towards self, society and planet.
• This subsection should establish that the issue is a matter of concern.

How does this affect me?

The next subsection would take the reader a step further.” How does it affect me/my family/my society/my country?”

• This subsection should relate the issue to the reader’s immediate world. The author should research and establish a link between these concerns and the reader’s immediate environment -- How does it affect me/my family/my society/my country?”
• So if endangered species is a matter of concern; then the article should inform the reader how a particular plant or animal species being endangered might affect him/his family or his immediate surroundings? Here the reader could be informed that a species getting endangered might disturb the food chain, the natural resources ( the water supply or forest cover in that area) or how some endangered species of plants are a source of life-saving medicines.

The issue could deal with the impact on the

• Individual – How does this affect his mental/physical well being and the quality of his life?
• Family –How do these developments/findings affect his or his family’s health, safety, well being? Give trends, latest research, associated risks, and latest news.
• Society – How do developments/findings affect the society? Does it have an impact on the collective thinking and behaviour of the society? How does this change in behaviour pattern affect individuals and families.

E.g. The rising fad for violent toys might result in violence among teenagers ( such information/trend needs to be backed by researches). This in turn might affect the safety of the elderly couples living alone.

All about the Topic

Provide all the necesary information to equip him for making choices.

How does it affect the environment?

How does the topic affect the reader’s environment – soil and the immediate environs/ ecology? What is its short/long term impact? If it is something happening in another continent, try and let the reader know how it might have a direct or an indirect impact on his environment and his life.

What can he do about it?

This is the most important part. In some subjects it is easy to identify what can the reader do to address his or her concern; In others, research and efforts need to be put to show him that what he does matters, however small his action might seem in totality, however indirect – it contributes to the overall result. The suggestions should be doable. The article should offer him choices that are possible for him and make a difference to his local environment. Eg- - If olive oil is good for cooking and has health benefit, it is not advisable for someone in India. It is expensive and adds to his carbon footprint and food miles. So depending on whether he is in eastern part of India where he can opt for mustard oil or if he is in southern part of India, he can opt for coconut oil. The article could educate him about what benefits he is getting from these oils that he would have got from olive oil. It should also inform him about what he might not be getting from these oils that he would have got from olive oil and what should he do to make up for this. The article should help him make informed choices. Think Green alternatives, home remedies, grandma’s tips and tricks (conventional wisdom vs homespun wisdom). For eg, see Home remedies For Fever.

He should learn something new from the article After reading the article he feels knowledgeable and empowered. The article should also offer him useful tips about taking action – so that he gets the most out of his efforts. It should also let him know about the pitfalls of excesses or any such actions related to the topic.

Eg – he might be having tea all his life but might not know it is rich in antioxidants. He should be informed about the various ways of having tea and how can he maximise his benefits.

• The article should also raise their awareness about things that make a difference – eg, if moms learn from our site what goes into baby shampoo, they might choose an organic alternative. Or that dry cleaners use a carcinogenic chemical which lingers on clothes for a long time.
• Provide new information which the reader may not know: for eg, bamboo can also be woven into bamboo fabric/the cell phones and game consoles everyone uses are made using Coltan, a Blood Mineral mined in war-ravaged Congo.
• Provide new applications: for eg, that vinegar in a spray bottle is an effective disinfectant-cum-cleaner,a green alternative to spray-on chemical cleaners

Unlearn

(Things to know, things to not know) - Dispel myths about everyday practices people take for granted. Unlearning the myths associated with the topic. For example, the common belief that milk is good for health has been qualified and indeed disproved in our article on The Milk Debate.

90 degrees

(creative suggestions of articles that can be developed e.g. autism and music)

CopperWiki

• A compendium of hard hitting facts that force the reader to sit up and take notice or interesting tidbits about the topic that could become talking points in conversations.
• They should answer how the topic affects the reader/his family/ society/country
• They could bust commonly held myths – indicate new research