What is and how to answer a controversial topic?

Answer 1

Below are some recommendations from WikiAnswers Supervisors to help you understand the ins and outs of properly posting and editing Q&As and effectively communicating with other contributors. They are not meant to replace the official WikiAnswers Terms of Use or other WikiAnswers guidelines as presented in our detailed Help Center.

The WikiAnswers community is large and ever-growing, with contributors joining us from many regions of the world. Some topics will always be a fertile ground for questions and study. Our cultures differ, languages are varied and not everyone has the same sources of information, nor do they share the same convictions. Controversial topics for which there are many different beliefs, viewpoints, and opinions, will emerge from those differences.

* Take a gentle approach. Present your opinions and beliefs for what they are: your opinions and your beliefs. Avoid belligerent lecturing or preaching, patronizing or forcibly imposing your beliefs and convictions upon others. Put yourself in the reader's shoes and ask whether you are providing factual, useful information or trying to persuade. For instance, rather than making an unequivocal statement such as 'There is not such a thing as ghosts!' a better way might be to say, "According to present scientific knowledge, the phenomena called "ghosts" has not been proven to exist", or begin your post with "Though some people believe in ghosts.." * For those questions that are based on subjective interpretation or supported solely by opinion, and scientific questions for which there are differing viewpoints, please use a header like "According to one view…" or "Here's what (the name of an authoritative source) says …." This indicates to other contributors that your post is an opinion or perspective and should be left intact; so long as it follows WikiAnswers style rules, it does not contain harmful, offensive or otherwise abusive content, it is not presented as trying to convince or impose a view, and it does not contain false or obvious inaccurate information.. It also invites additional viewpoints, also appropriately labeled. In contrast to many WikiAnswers topics, where we strive for a single perfect answer, answers on controversial topics often lend themselves to multiple answers listed together.

* To clarify the statement above: Use citations whenever possible. Quoting a book, authoritative source or commentator helps the reader investigate the issue further or confirm your reading. It also helps delineate between various perspectives by providing a source that can be listed alongside others. Though it is not required, it is helpful to include references to the sources which led you to form your opinion or belief. Including references allows a reader to investigate all sides of a controversial topic and decide for him or herself. Since there are many sources that include books, studies, reports, news articles, websites, etc. * Your opinion or belief, so long as it answers the question without being nonsense, is welcome. Please keep in mind that while there are many books and studies, and while most readers accept the contents of some books and studies as true and factual, contributors need to understand that what is accepted as "factual" by the adherents of one particular conviction on a controversial issue may not be accepted as "factual" by those who adhere to another line of thought or conviction. Attempts to impose the "facts" of one conviction upon the adherents of another may not only prove fruitless, but may be viewed as aggressive, patronizing or even offensive as well. * Avoid debates in Q&As. Use the Discussion Pages for placing additional comments that are respectful and polite. Posts which attack a person will be edited to remove unnecessary personal remarks.

* Posts that do not specifically answer or address questions will be subject to deletion.

* Q&As that experience ongoing misuse or abuse will be 'protected' to prevent further vandalism.

In this open 'wiki' environment tolerance is vital. We ask that you respect the rights of others to their own beliefs and convictions, even when they seem false to you. Sometimes it is a very fine line, so please use your best judgment. If you are concerned with an answer, send a message to wikianswers @ answers.com explaining your concerns.