Wikipedia:Solving disputes

(Redirected from Wikipedia:DISPUTE)

Focus on content

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Comment on what is written, not on who wrote it. Wikipedia tries to keep a balanced view in its pages. When you think part of an article is biased or not accurate, if you can, make it better. If you can't, and you don't agree with it, try to balance the view with your side of the story, but use reliable sources.

Explain why you made the edits you have, especially when you want other people to agree with you.

Talk about the problem with the other user

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If there's a problem, using a talk page is a good way to try to solve a problem. Don't make the problem worse by edit warring on the article. Talk to the person on their talk page, or on the talk page of the page where there's a problem.

Ask questions; and show that you are giving careful attention to the answers. For example, try to re-think your own words in terms of the graphic pyramid at the right. Try to use the graphic to highlight problems in one or more sentences written by you or by someone else.

When talking about the problem, stay calm. If the other user is rude to you, don't do the same. Try to look at things from their point of view, and try to reach a compromise. Assume good faith, unless it is obvious they are not editing in good faith.

 
Stay in the top three sections of Graham's Hierarchy of Disagreement.

Ask others for help

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If using the talk page has not helped, ask other users for help. Ask other people on their talk pages or on Simple talk for some help, to see if they can give an outside opinion. Ask them for some advice on how the problem can be solved. For example, try to find ways to sharpen the focus of issues by using the pyramid graphic at the right.