Quotation

File:Internet quotation don't believe everything.jpg

Quotations are an excellent and direct way to report who said what when. The main caveats are to beware of counterfeits and always acknowledge your sources. This is most simply done through a reference tag (<ref>), either manually or automatically, using a quotation template.

Direct or indirect?

Where language is particularly unusual or otherwise revealing, a direct (i.e. verbatim) quotation is recommended. Where the language is wordy in an uninteresting way, it may be preferable to use an indirect quotation to summarise it.

Direct

Direct quotes must be between double quotes (") and must acknowledge the source, i.e. by providing a link to it. If you use Template:SMWQ as recommended below, these are automatically created for you.

Indirect

Indirect quotations are inexact renderings of third party material. Do not use quote marks, except for any deceitful language, such as "terrorism". Always acknowledge that the material is from someone else and include a reference to the source.

Quotation templates

The best way to include quotations is to use a quotation template. The most up to date template for including quotations is Template:SMWQ, which is almost always preferable to the older Template:QB.

Template:SMWQ

Full article: Template:SMWQ

{{#subobject: |Has superobject=Quotation |Has objectClass=Quotation |Has author=Abraham Lincoln|+sep=, |Has text=“The problem with internet quotes is that you cant [sic.] always depend on their accuracy” |Is about=Quotation,reliability, internet, accuracy|+sep=, |Has wikipediaPage= |Has location=|+sep=, |Has publicationDate=1864 |Sourced from=Internet |Has sourceDetails= |Has sourceTitle= |Has sourceName=Internet |Has sourceURL=https://saidit.net/s/Memetics/comments/lxp/the_problem_with_internet_quotes_is_that_you_cant/

}}

File:Internet quotation.jpg

SMWQ is preferred since it allows semantic representation of the quotation — the practical upshot of which is that it can automatically appear on multiple pages. Another feature of this template is that it allows easy selection from a range of styles, from inline (just put inside "..." marks, citing the source as a <ref>) up to a separate quotation box. The source for the quote left is as follows:<poem>{{SMWQ |align=right |text=The problem with [[internet]] quotes is that you cant [sic.] always depend on their accuracy |subjects=reliability, internet, accuracy |image=internet quotation.jpg |image_width=512px |format=image |source_name=Saidit |source_URL=https://saidit.net/s/Memetics/comments/lxp/the_problem_with_internet_quotes_is_that_you_cant/ |authors=Abraham Lincoln |date=1864 }} </poem> Try to fill in as many of the parameters as possible as precisely as possible. Adding accurate date, location, authors, source_name etc. will help the quote appear on more pages.

Template:QB

Full article: Template:QB

The problem with internet quotes is that you cant [sic.] always depend on their accuracy.
Abraham Lincoln, 1864

More lightweight is the older template:QB, which puts its contents in a quotation box, but which does none of the semantic markup or presentation. The only real advantage of this is that the source code is shorter, i.e.: <poem> {{QB |The problem with [[internet]] quotes is that you cant [sic.] always depend on their accuracy. <br/>''[[Abraham Lincoln]]'', [[1864]]<ref>https://saidit.net/s/Memetics/comments/lxp/the_problem_with_internet_quotes_is_that_you_cant/</ref> }}</poem>

Length

Very long quotations are generally unhelpful and break up the narrative flow of an article. Consider an indirect quotation, i.e. a summary, in this case. If you consider the quotation of particular merit, consider posting it in its entirety to the Document namespace, although be aware that separate rules apply.

Accuracy

Do check quotes for accuracy before posting on this website, and cite a creditable source using the |source_URL parameter of Template:SMWQ. If one exists, use the generally agreed original source. If the authenticity of the quote is disputed, note this when citing it (for example, using the |note parameter).

References