Content Guidelines

Mission & Philosophy

Aevum Encyclopedia exists to curate, verify, and present human knowledge in a format that is accessible, authoritative, and beautifully structured. Every article should serve as a reliable reference point for students, researchers, and curious readers worldwide.

Core Content Standards

All contributions must adhere to the following foundational principles:

• Accuracy & Verifiability: Every factual claim must be supported by credible, accessible sources. Unverified assertions should be removed or flagged for review.
• Neutral Point of View (NPOV): Articles must present all significant viewpoints fairly, without editorial bias or promotional language.
• Original Research Prohibited: Do not publish unpublished theories, personal analyses, or novel classifications. Synthesize existing published work only.
• Respectful Tone: Maintain professional, objective language. Avoid sensationalism, speculation, or dismissive phrasing.

Writing & Formatting

Structure

Use hierarchical headings to organize content logically. Maintain consistent capitalization and avoid overly verbose section titles.

Paragraphs & Lists

Keep paragraphs focused (3-5 sentences). Use bulleted lists for non-sequential items and numbered lists for step-by-step processes or ranked data.

Technical Terms

Define specialized terminology on first use. Use plain language wherever possible without sacrificing precision. Avoid unnecessary jargon or discipline-specific slang.

Citations & References

Proper attribution is the backbone of Aevum Encyclopedia. All citations must follow the Chicago Manual of Style (Notes-Bibliography system) or APA 7th edition, applied consistently within each article.

Multimedia & Assets

Images, diagrams, audio, and video must enhance understanding, not merely decorate. All media requires proper licensing and descriptive alt text.

• Licensing: Only use public domain (CC0), Creative Commons (CC BY, CC BY-SA), or self-authored content with proper attribution.
• Resolution: Minimum 800px width for standard images. Vector formats (SVG) preferred for diagrams and maps.
• Alt Text: Must accurately describe the visual content for accessibility. Do not use generic phrases like "Image of..."
• Fair Use: Limited exceptions apply for educational commentary. When using fair use, include a clear justification in the file description.

Prohibited Content

The following content types violate Aevum's core policies and will be removed immediately:

• Defamatory, libelous, or personally attacking statements
• Hate speech, discrimination, or dehumanizing rhetoric
• Copyright-infringing material without proper licensing
• Spam, promotional content, or undisclosed advertising
• Pseudoscience presented as established fact without clear labeling
• Personally Identifiable Information (PII) without explicit consent
• Violent, sexually explicit, or gratuitous imagery

Review & Moderation Process

Every article undergoes a multi-tier review system to ensure quality before publication:

1. Automated Checks: AI scans for citation gaps, neutrality flags, formatting errors, and policy violations.
2. Peer Review: Subject-matter contributors review content for accuracy and depth within 48-72 hours.
3. Editorial Approval: Senior editors conduct final verification before publishing or updating live articles.
4. Continuous Monitoring: Published articles are periodically re-evaluated for outdated information or emerging corrections.

Contributors receive detailed feedback on revisions. Major changes require version history tagging to maintain transparency.

Help & Support

Need clarification on a guideline? Facing a citation dispute? Our editorial team is here to help.

• Editorial Desk: editorial@aevumencyclopedia.org
• Community Forum: Discuss formatting, policy edge cases, and best practices with other contributors.
• Style Quick Reference: Download our printable cheat sheet for on-the-go writing sessions.
• Report Violations: Use the "Flag for Review" tool on any article to submit concerns for moderation.