Wikibooks:Avoid instruction creep
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Instruction creep is a wiki phenomenon that occurs when a community's written rules evolve into something other than what they are supposed to be: straightforward explanations of community norms. It is important that policies and guidelines do not themselves become a source of problems.
In particular:
- Ensure that every rule has a good reason.
- Keep explanations simple and to the point. Use essays to elaborate.
- Separate distinct points, to aid clarity and purpose.
- Leave room for Wikibookians to use common sense.
- Remove or modify any stated requirement which is found to lack community consensus.