Wikibooks:Avoid instruction creep

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.