Citing the author of a blockquote using Markdown syntax

Citing Authors in Markdown Blockquotes: Best Practices and Syntax

Learn how to properly attribute sources within Markdown blockquotes, enhancing credibility and clarity in your documentation and content.

Markdown is a lightweight markup language that allows you to format plain text documents. One of its common uses is for blockquotes, which are used to indicate that a section of text is quoted from another source. While Markdown provides a straightforward way to create blockquotes, it doesn't have a built-in, standardized syntax for citing the author or source directly within the blockquote itself. This article explores various methods to effectively attribute authors and sources, ensuring your quoted content is both clear and credible.

Basic Markdown Blockquote Syntax

Before diving into citations, let's review the fundamental way to create a blockquote in Markdown. You simply prefix each line of the quoted text with a > character. For multi-paragraph quotes, you can either prefix each line or each paragraph.

> This is a simple blockquote.
> It spans multiple lines.

> This is another paragraph within the same blockquote, separated by a blank line.
> It continues the quoted content.

Basic Markdown blockquote example

Methods for Attributing Authors

Since Markdown lacks a dedicated citation syntax for blockquotes, we rely on common conventions. The most widely accepted methods involve placing the author's name and source either immediately after the blockquote or on a new line within the blockquote, often preceded by an em dash (—) or a simple hyphen (-).

flowchart TD
    A[Start Blockquote] --> B{Add Quote Content}
    B --> C{Need Citation?}
    C -- Yes --> D{"Choose Citation Method"}
    D -- "Method 1: After Blockquote" --> E[Add Author/Source on New Line]
    D -- "Method 2: Inside Blockquote" --> F[Add Author/Source within Blockquote]
    F --> G[Use Em Dash or Hyphen]
    E --> H[End Blockquote]
    G --> H
    C -- No --> H

Decision flow for citing authors in Markdown blockquotes

Method 1: Attributing After the Blockquote

This is arguably the cleanest and most common approach. You place the author's name and source on a new line immediately following the blockquote. This keeps the quoted text distinct and the attribution clear.

> "The only way to do great work is to love what you do."
> 
> — Steve Jobs

Attribution placed immediately after the blockquote

Method 2: Attributing Within the Blockquote

Another valid method is to include the attribution as the last line within the blockquote itself. This ensures the attribution is visually grouped with the quoted content, even if the blockquote is moved or copied.

> "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
> — Steve Jobs

Attribution included as the last line of the blockquote

Including Source Links

For digital content, it's often beneficial to include a link to the original source. This can be done by embedding the link directly into the author's name or the source title.

> "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
> 
> — [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_Roosevelt)

Attribution with a hyperlink to the source

Advanced Attribution: Multiple Paragraphs and Sources

When quoting multiple paragraphs or needing more detailed source information, you can extend these methods. For very long quotes, you might even consider a footnote or endnote system, though that goes beyond pure Markdown syntax and often requires additional tooling or conventions.

> "It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light."
>
> "You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor."
> 
> — [Aristotle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle), *Nicomachean Ethics*

Multi-paragraph quote with detailed attribution