Quotations and sources
Learn the difference between <blockquote>, <q> and <cite>.
What is the blockquote tag?
The <blockquote> tag carries long block quotations. It is used for quotes that are longer than a single paragraph and stand on their own. The browser shows it indented by default.
Inside it you usually place one or more <p> paragraphs. For example, a few sentences quoted from an article. For short quotes another tag is better; we will see it in the next step.
The q and cite tags
The <q> tag carries short inline quotations. Use it inside a sentence for a few words or a single sentence. The browser wraps it in quotation marks automatically.
<cite> carries the source of the quote (author, book, article title). It marks the title of a work. You can give a source inside <blockquote> or <q> with <cite>.
Citing a source with cite
It is a good habit to cite the source when you quote. You can add a <cite> inside a <blockquote> or <q> tag to give the author or the work's title.
Example: <blockquote><p>Knowledge is power.</p><cite>Francis Bacon</cite></blockquote>. <cite> carries only the work's title or author — not the quote itself.
Exercise Write a sourced quote
Add a <blockquote> to body. Inside it, write a <p> with Knowledge is power. Then give the source as Francis Bacon in a <cite>.
Show example solution
<body>
<blockquote>
<p>Knowledge is power.</p>
<cite>Francis Bacon</cite>
</blockquote>
</body>Test yourself
-
Which tag is used for a long, block-level quote?
- <blockquote>
- <q>
- <cite>
- <quote>
Show answer
<blockquote> — Correct. Long quotes go inside <blockquote>.
-
Close the quote
<blockquote> <p>Knowledge is power.</p> ____Show answer
<blockquote> <p>Knowledge is power.</p> </blockquote> -
Match each tag to its role
- <blockquote>
- Block quote
- <q>
- Short inline quote
- <cite>
- Source / author
- <p>
- Paragraph
-
Which tag is used for a short quote inside a sentence?
- <blockquote>
- <q>
- <cite>
- <short>
Show answer
<q> — Correct. Short inline quotes are written with <q>.