User:The Drama Llama/intext

Where possible it is advisable to name ones sources within the body of the text, even when using footnotes. Following this advice ensures that the nature of the source is clear to readers, and also highlights inappropriate sources more clearly.

Who is speaking?
Naming your sources in the body of the text helps avoid the possibility of inappropriate sources.

Examples:
 * BAD: The film Donnie Darko has been described as one of the greatest films of all time. 1

1Fred Smith, West Lincolnshire Advertiser, 9 July, 2001.


 * GOOD: Fred Smith of the West Lincolnshire Advertiser has called Donnie Darko one of the greatest films of all time. 1

1Fred Smith, West Lincolnshire Advertiser, 9 July, 2001.

The first example seems appropriate: it makes a claim and supports it with a verifiable reference. But footnoting hides the fact that this claim is made in an obscure British local newspaper, not by some more important film reviewer whose views might be more important. This problem is already covered by WP:NOTABILITY of course, but following the guideline of attributing sources in-text would have the effect of emphasizing such problems.

Even when the sources are notable and significant, articles will be clearer if they are named in the text, rather than only in the footnote.


 * GOOD: Famous film director Steven Spielberg has called Donnie Darko one of the greatest films of all time. 1

1Steven Spielberg, interview with Matt Wilkins, The New York Times, 21 July, 2002.

Than this:


 * BAD: Donnie Darko has been called one of the greatest films of all time. 1

1Steven Spielberg, interview with Matt Wilkins, The New York Times, 21 July, 2002.

The first example buries the source in a footnote, making it look as though many unspecified people hold this opinion. The second example makes it immediately clear that this is just one person, albeit a notable one.

Distinguishing opinions from facts
When facts are indisputable, there is no problem with identifying the source only in footnotes. However, when a statement is more like an interpretation than a fact, attributing the source in the main text makes that clearer.