Short answer
In CiteFlow, a quotation remains useful when it stays linked to its document and page context. Add why it matters and reopen the PDF before final use; optional local OCR can expose scanned text but still needs visual verification.
When to use this method
General note apps can store quotations; this guide is for retaining the source record and page needed to verify them.
Before you start
Add the source PDF and correct its title, author, year and identifier when known. A quotation repeats the author's exact words, while a paraphrase restates the idea in your own words. Both still need a source record and a locator that returns to the supporting page.
How we checked this guide How page links, copied citations and draft limits were checked.
- What we reviewed
- Reviewed selected-text capture, page context, notes, copy-with-citation behavior and source-page reopening in CiteFlow.
- What we confirmed
- Evidence can remain linked to its local source record and page. Stored context supports verification but does not establish that a quotation was interpreted correctly.
- Important limit
- A sentence copied without its preceding qualifier can reverse the author's meaning. Keep surrounding context in the note and reopen the source page before final use.
Capture a quote with its context
Verify the source record
Check title, authors, year and DOI or other identifier before accumulating notes under the record.
Select a verifiable passage
Prefer selectable source text and keep the page image available whenever the passage came from recognition or manual transcription, then compare it with the page image.
Copy with citation context
Retain the source identity and page information alongside the quotation, then add a note about its role in the argument. CiteFlow records citation-aware copies in Citation History so you can review or copy the saved draft again.
Return before final use
Open the original page and verify wording, punctuation and context before quoting or paraphrasing in submitted work.
Evidence-capture risks
- Saving a quote without page information
- Letting optional OCR errors enter a quotation
- Confusing a semantic-search match or project note with the author's claim
Checkpoint: Quotation checks
- Compare exact wording with the source image or text.
- Store both PDF label and printed page number when they differ.
- Separate the author's claim from your note.
- Review the Citation History entry and selected citation style.
- Retain surrounding context and reopen the page before final use.
CiteFlow
Capture quotations with their source record, page context and a note that explains how the evidence will be used.