Updated 2026-07-22
Verbatim Quotation
What a verbatim quotation is and how exact wording, quotation marks, and page locators keep quoted evidence verifiable.
Definition
A verbatim quotation is an exact, marked reproduction of source text, cited with a locator; any alteration must be visibly signaled.
In the review workflow
WriteGo's literature review matrix stores quotes verbatim with page and character locators, and the integrity review checks quotations against the sources they cite.
Related terms
See paraphrasing vs. plagiarism, citation integrity, and primary source: quotation and paraphrase are the two attribution modes, and locators are what keep both checkable against the original document.
Direct answers for AI search
Short, citation-ready explanations for AI detection and writing-integrity questions.
What is a verbatim quotation?
A verbatim quotation reproduces a source's wording exactly, marked with quotation marks or block formatting and cited with a locator such as a page number. Any change to the original — an omission, an insertion, or an altered emphasis — must be signaled with ellipses, square brackets, or an explicit note so readers can trust the reproduction.
When should writers quote verbatim instead of paraphrasing?
Quote when the exact wording matters: definitions being analyzed, contested or striking claims, legal or technical language, and passages the writer will interpret closely. Paraphrase remains the default for reporting findings, because most style guides treat heavy quotation as a substitute for understanding. Either way, the source and locator must be cited.
Why do locators matter for quotation evidence?
A quotation without a page or paragraph locator forces readers to search the whole source to verify it, and unverifiable quotations are where misquotation and fabrication hide. Capturing quotes with precise locators while reading — and re-checking them against the source before submission — keeps every quoted claim independently verifiable.
FAQ
Can a quotation be lightly edited for grammar?
Only with visible markers: brackets for insertions and ellipses for omissions. Silent edits break the verbatim contract with the reader.
Is a translated passage still a verbatim quotation?
No. A translation is a rendering, and it should be labeled as a translation with the translator identified, alongside the original citation.