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 | This page in a nutshell: Before writing a new essay, check to make sure that the topic hasn't already been covered. |
Although there is no guideline or policy that explicitly prohibits it, writing redundant essays and information pages is discouraged. New pages should offer new perspectives or fresh insight on editing Wikipedia, and not reiterate arguments or information that has already been covered in previous policies, guidelines, or other essays and informative pages. Editors should browse the directory or use the search tool that are available to avoid unintended repetition. Elaborating on a subtopic briefly covered in an existing essay, or offering a new perspective on an argument made by another essay, are acceptable.
Essays and information pages covering the same topic should be merged. If an essay is short and new enough that there is nothing to merge, then consider redirecting the page to a larger or more popular essay, userfying the essay if the author has a desire to keep it, or utilizing the deletion process.