Wikipedia is a neutral compilation of verifiable, previously written facts.
This can be expanded as follows:
- Neutral: Wikipedia does not judge or advocate specific views or opinions, or make determinations on "correctness". Differing views must be presented without bias.
- Compilation: Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information. There is a process of summarizing, grading, organizing and collating involved, to ensure that the resulting articles are as useful as possible for readers seeking both detail and overview.
- Verifiable: Information must be realistically verifiable, including being cited from reliable sources.
- Previously written: Original ideas, interpretations, or research cannot be verified, and thus are inappropriate for Wikipedia. Wikipedia is not a primary source; it strives to be a tertiary source.
- Facts: Wikipedia is about facts, not opinions. Articles should, neutrally and factually, state which people hold what opinions, but must not judge.