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{{documentation subpage}}
{{Documentation subpage}}
{{Redirect|Template:Proveit|the template about the referencing gadget|Template:User ProveIt}}
{{Cleanup-jargon}}
{{TOCright}}
{{High-use}}
{{Notice|An introductory version of this documentation is provided at [[Wikipedia:Citation needed]].}}
{{Template shortcut|cn|facts|uncited|citeneeded}}
{{Template redirect|citationneeded|reference needed}}
<noinclude>{{pp-semi-indef}}<!--persistent vandalism from anon users--></noinclude>
{{Tl|Citation needed}} is a [[Wikipedia:Template messages|template]] used to identify claims in articles, particularly if questionable, that need a [[Wikipedia:Citing sources|citation]] to a [[WP:Reliable sources|reliable source]]. This template produces the superscripted message&nbsp;{{citation needed|date=May 2013|reason=example}} and is installed with no spaces directly after punctuation.


==Purpose==
== Use ==
:{{tnull|Citation needed|date{{=}}{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}}}
The word <code><nowiki>{{Fact}}</nowiki></code> or <code><nowiki>{{Facts}}</nowiki></code>may make more sense if you visualize a question-mark afterward: "Fact?" or "Facts?"
:{{tnull|Citation needed|date{{=}}{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}|reason{{=}}''Your explanation here''}}


=== Notes ===
This [[WP:Template|template]] is used in articles to identify sentences or short passages which are incomplete without an [[WP:CITE|inline citation]]. It produces the following appearance:
* The {{para|date}} parameter consists of the full English name of the current month (with initial capital and rest lowercase), a space, and the year. For example, "{{xt|January 2013}}" but not "{{!xt|jan13}}" or "{{!xt|January 23, 2013}}". Deviation from this rule will place the article in [[:Category:Articles with invalid date parameter in template]].
:<code>This sentence needs an inline citation.<!--{{Fact}} categories--><!--{{Fact}} begin-->{{fix
** To automatically add the current date, you can use [[Help:Substitution|substitution]] like this: <code><nowiki>{{subst:Citation needed}}</nowiki></code>.
|link=Wikipedia:Citation needed
** If the {{para|date}} parameter is not given, a [[Wikipedia:Bots|bot]] will soon add it ([[User:AnomieBOT|AnomieBOT]]'s TagDater task) but it's better if you add it yourself to avoid an extra edit to the article's history.
|text=citation needed
* The {{para|reason}} parameter is for an explanation why you think the material needs a source. It is optional but very helpful. It is displayed as a [[tooltip]] in some browsers (hover the mouse here {{Citation needed|reason=If and only if this text is displayed, the reason parameter is working in your browser|date={{currentmonth}} {{currentyear}}}} to check behaviour of your browser). For example, the following usage might be appropriate to the claim that "Humphrey Bogart was an avid snooker player": <br> {{tnull|Citation needed|reason{{=}}This claim needs a reliable source; Bogart was a famous actor but his major biographies don't mention snooker.|date{{=}}{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}}}
|class=noprint Template-Fact
** Use only [[plain text]] for the {{para|reason}} parameter. It does not support [[Help:Wiki markup|wiki markup]] like wikilinks, which can mess up the tooltip.
|title=This claim needs references to reliable sources
** Double quotation marks used within the {{para|reason}} parameter will likewise mess up the tooltip; use single quotes or the HTML code <code>&amp;quot;</code> instead.
|date=June 2008
** If omitted, the tooltip "This claim needs references to reliable sources." is used by default.
|cat=[[Category:All articles with unsourced statements]]
* This template should usually be installed directly ''after'' punctuation, such as a full stop (period) or a comma.
|cat-date=Category:Articles with unsourced statements}}<!-- Do no add categories here --></code><br/>
* Use of this template places the article into [[:Category:All articles with unsourced statements]] and [[:Category:Articles with unsourced statements from {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}]] (example; past months are listed in [[:Category:Articles with unsourced statements]]).
And it produces the following appearance in a paragraph context:<br/>
* Remove the template when you add a citation for a statement.
:Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris<!--{{Fact}} categories--><!--{{Fact}} begin-->{{fix
|link=Wikipedia:Citation needed
|text=citation needed
|class=noprint Template-Fact
|title=This claim needs references to reliable sources
|date=June 2008
|cat=[[Category:All articles with unsourced statements]]
|cat-date=Category:Articles with unsourced statements}}<!-- Do no add categories here --> nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident<!--{{Fact}} categories--><!--{{Fact}} begin-->{{fix
|link=Wikipedia:Citation needed
|text=citation needed
|class=noprint Template-Fact
|title=This claim needs references to reliable sources
|date=June 2008
|cat=[[Category:All articles with unsourced statements]]
|cat-date=Category:Articles with unsourced statements}}<!-- Do no add categories here -->, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.


== Examples ==
# Editors frequently use this template to "tag" material which they see as questionable or weak, but not obviously invalid. The tag serves as a request for a specific inline citation. Addition of such a citation will help [[WP:V|verification]] of the material.<br/>
=== Example 1 ===
# You may use 'date=' parameter ''correctly formatted'' which is used in sorting. It allows the tag to invoke the proper ''chronologically organized clean-up category''. If you don't specify it, a bot will do it. {{I2}}Using either of two methods (both require you to use a [[WP:SUBST|subst:]]) will format the date code for you.<br/><tt>
:<code><nowiki>This sentence shows the template used at the end.{{Citation needed|reason=Reliable source needed for the whole sentence|date=</nowiki>{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}}}</code>
## <code> {{tlx|fact|<nowiki>{{ subst:DATE }} | Why you're hanging this tag</nowiki> }} </code><br/>
## <code> <nowiki>{{ subst:fact-now | Why you're hanging this tag }} </nowiki> </code>{{I}}{{Bull2}}(using the {{Tl2|fact-now}} template)</tt>
## Both methods keep things straight and would give identical results. The 'fact-now' template just calls this one. <br/>
# It is particularly important to place the template carefully in long sentences to ''clearly indicate what you are calling into question''. In many complicated technical subjects with involved sentences, this is frequently not possible at all, so it is '''''good practice to annotate your concern''''' as well. Since extra template parameters are ignored, the technique above is the same as using an inline comment, but superior since the [[curly braces]] enclose everything.
##Some of us even add our [[User (computing)|user name]] after the last pipe as a courtesy should there be a question.<br/>
##The annotation can be put on a separate line, as can your user name:<br/>
<pre>
Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident{{subst:Fact
|date=June 2008
|Are you sure cupidatat is a word?
|User:dunce_in_latin, 27 June 2008
}}, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
</pre>
# '''Always [[WP:SUBST|subst:]] the {{Tl2|DATE}} or {{Tl2|Fact-now}} templates. NEVER subst {{Tl2|fact}}.'''<br/>
# "Your reason or reasonings" is optional in either case, but is good practice. Gives a clear window into your objection or concern, and is particularly needed when a tag is used in a long complicated sentence. Extra template parameters are ignored, so is like using an inline comment for other editors. (In the future, it may be used to provide a pop-up so can be seen in a non-edit screen. See {{Tl|S5}} for an example of that technique, {{Tl|r-phrase}} for the guts/how-to.)
# This is a good technique with many maintenance templates. Saves others time and is courteous and helpful.
# So is adding your user name and the full date. <br/>


This wikitext will be rendered as follows:
===When not to use===
Unsourced or poorly sourced contentious material about [[WP:BLP|living persons]] should be '''removed immediately'''. Do not tag it; remove it. For more information, see the section on [[WP:BLP#Remove unsourced or poorly sourced contentious material|poorly sourced contentious material]] in the [[WP:BLP|Biography of Living Persons policy]].


:This sentence shows the template used at the end.{{Citation needed|reason=Reliable source needed for the whole sentence|date={{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}}}
Material which is doubtful and harmful may be removed immediately, rather than tagged. See [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#Unsourced material|Unsourced material]].


=== Example 2 ===
If you have the time and ability to find an authoritative reference, please do so. Then add the citation yourself, or correct the article text. After all, the ultimate goal is not to merely identify problems, but to fix them.


:<code><nowiki>[[Humphrey Bogart]] was an avid snooker player.{{Citation needed|date=</nowiki>{{currentmonth}} {{currentyear}}}}</code>
Many editors object to what they perceive as overuse of this tag, particularly in what is known as "drive-by" tagging, which is applying the tag without attempting to address the issues at all. Consider whether adding this tag in an article is the best approach before using it, and use it judiciously.


The template indicates that it may be that Humphrey Bogart played snooker at some point and it may be that he was enthusiastic about the game but no ''reliable'', ''published'' sources were given to verify it and the information is not considered [[common knowledge]].
This template is intended for specific passages which need citation. For articles or sections which have significant material lacking sources (rather than just specific short passages), there are other, more appropriate templates, such as {{tl|unreferenced}}.


:[[Humphrey Bogart]] was an avid snooker player.{{Citation needed|date={{currentmonth}} {{currentyear}}}}
<!--- This is redundant and unneeded, ditto next section. All three commented out
==Technical details==


=== Example 3 ===
This is an [[WP:ILT|in-line template]]. Place the template immediately after the material in question, as one would do with a footnote. For example:


If it is considered that he might have played snooker but was not an avid player, a reason for the need of a citation may be given, displayed as a tooltip when the mouse hovers on "citation needed":
:<code><nowiki>This sentence needs an inline citation.{{Fact}}</nowiki></code>


:<code><nowiki>[[Humphrey Bogart]] was an avid snooker player.{{Citation needed|date=</nowiki>{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}|reason=Only aware he was photographed playing once. Not aware of any source that claims he played a lot.}}</code>
The name <code><nowiki>{{Fact}}</nowiki></code> may make more sense if you visualize a question-mark after it: ''Fact?''


:[[Humphrey Bogart]] was an avid snooker player.{{Citation needed|date={{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}|reason=Only aware he was photographed playing once. Not aware of any source that claims he played a lot.}}
The text "citation needed" will be linked to [[Wikipedia:Citation needed]], which explains to readers what the tag means.


In this example, it may be better to use the {{tl|Citation needed span}}, which has slightly different syntax, template to highlight the word "avid".
This template is a [[Wikipedia:Avoid self-references|self-reference]], and so is part of the Wikipedia project, rather than the encyclopedic content.


== When not to use this template ==
===Categorization===


Contentious material about [[Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons|living persons]] that is unsourced or poorly sourced should be '''removed immediately'''. Do not tag it; immediately remove it. This includes material that is disparaging, misrepresentative, insulting, harmful, or possibly [[libelous]]. For some policy about this, see the sections [[Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons#Remove contentious material that is unsourced or poorly sourced|"Remove contentious material that is unsourced or poorly sourced"]] at [[Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons]] and [[Wikipedia:Verifiability#Burden of evidence|"Burden of evidence"]] at [[Wikipedia:Verifiability]].
Adding this template to an article will place the article into one of a family of categories identifying "Articles with unsourced statements". To find all such articles, see [[:Category:All articles with unsourced statements]].


The <nowiki>{{Citation needed}}</nowiki> template is intended for use when there is a general question of the verifiability of a statement, or when an editor believes that a reference verifying the statement should be provided. Other templates are available for other or more specific issues; see the [[#Inline templates|list of inline templates]]. For example, claims that you think are incorrect should be tagged with {{Tl|Dubious}}, and those which represent a non-neutral view should be tagged with {{Tl|POV statement}}. Being specific about the nature of the problem will help other editors correct it.
A count of all such articles is maintained at [[User:Dragons flight/Category tracker]].


Within a [[Wikipedia:lead section|lead section]] that is clearly written as a summary of a substantially sourced article,
The articles will categorize by month, by a [[WP:BOT|bot]], using the date parameter to the template. These categories are subcategories of [[:Category:Articles with unsourced statements]].
* statements that are supported with citations within the body of the article should not be tagged,
* statements that are not supported in the article body should be tagged with {{tl|Not verified in body}}.


If you have the time and ability to find an authoritative reference, please do so. Then add the citation yourself, or correct the article text. After all, the ultimate goal is not to merely identify problems, but to fix them.
To find articles which have significant material lacking sources (rather than just specific passages), see [[:Category:Articles lacking sources]].


While an editor may add this template to any uncited passage for any reason, many editors object to what they perceive as overuse of this tag, particularly in what is known as "[[drive-by]]" tagging, which is applying the tag without attempting to address the issues at all. Consider whether adding this tag in an article is the best approach before using it, and use it judiciously. Wikipedia's [[WP:Verifiability|verifiability policy]] requires neither reliable sources for [[Common knowledge|common well-known facts]] (e.g., "the Moon orbits the Earth"), nor that citations be repeated through every sentence in a paragraph. All direct quotations and facts whose accuracy might be challenged (e.g., statistics) require citations. See [[WP:MINREF]] for the list of material that is absolutely required to be followed by an [[Wikipedia:Inline citation|inline citation]], rather than a [[Wikipedia:General references|general reference]] or no citation at all. Also note that the [[WP:BURDEN|burden of evidence]] lies with the editor who adds or restores material.
===Date parameter===


This template is intended for specific passages that need citation. For entire articles or sections that contain significant material lacking citations (rather than just specific short passages), there are other, more appropriate templates, such as {{Tl|Unreferenced}} and {{Tl|More citations needed}} (for whole articles) as well as {{Tl|Unreferenced section}} and {{Tl|More citations needed section}} (for sections of articles).
This template allows an optional date parameter that records when the tag was added. This helps with the categorization of articles requiring citations.


Do not use this template to tag policies or guidelines.
If this template is added without the date parameter, the date parameter will be added soon after by a [[WP:BOT|bot]]. Thus, one can just add <code><nowiki>{{Fact}}</nowiki></code> and let the bot handle the date.


== How to respond to this tag ==
Alternatively, by entering <code><nowiki>{{subst:Fact-now}}</nowiki></code>, the page will be saved with the present date already filled in.


The addition of this tag is a request for an inline citation to support the tagged statement. If you are able to provide a citation to support the claim, then please do so.
One can also specify the date manually. For example, to date the tag in the current month, enter <code><nowiki>{{Fact|date=</nowiki>{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}<nowiki>}}</nowiki></code>. This [[WP:markup|markup]] is also what will result when a bot or <code><nowiki>{{subst:Fact-now}}</nowiki></code> adds the date to the template.
--->
===Alternative names===
Some editors report the word "fact" is unclear or confusing,{{cn}} and so in addition to <code><nowiki>{{Fact}}</nowiki></code>, you can use either of the following:


Except for [[WP:Biographies of living persons|contentious claims about living people]], which should be immediately removed if not cited, there is no specific deadline for providing citations. Please do not delete information that you believe is correct solely because no one has provided a citation within an arbitrary time limit. If there is some uncertainty about its accuracy, most editors are willing to wait at least a month to see whether a citation can be provided.
*{{tl|Citation needed}}
*{{tl|Cn}}


== Template data ==
The templates <code><nowiki>{{Citation needed}}</nowiki></code> and <code><nowiki>{{Cn}}</nowiki></code> redirect to <code><nowiki>{{Fact}}</nowiki></code>, so transcluding them — or using an alternate name or command — has the identical effect as transcluding the main template. There are other redirects to this template, but their use is to be avoided. Cleanup [[bots]] will often replace redirected templates with a direct call to <code><nowiki>{{Fact}}</nowiki></code> when performing maintenance on the article.


{{TemplateData header}}
==See also==
<templatedata>
{
"description": "The template is used to identify claims in articles, particularly if questionable, that lack a citation to a reliable source.",
"params": {
"date": {
"label": "Month and year",
"description": "Provides the month and year of the citation request; e.g., 'January 2013', but not 'jan13'",
"type": "string",
"autovalue": "{{subst:CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{subst:CURRENTYEAR}}",
"suggested": true
},
"reason": {
"label": "Reason for citation",
"description": "A reason as to why, or for what content, the citation is needed; use single quotes, if any",
"type": "string"
}
}
}
</templatedata>


== Tracking categories ==
* [[Wikipedia:Citing sources]]
* {{clc|Pages containing citation needed template with unsupported parameters}} – a hidden maintenance/tracking category which is added to pages using this template with unsupported parameters
** Especially: [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#Unsourced material|Unsourced material]]
* {{clc|All articles with unsourced statements}}

== See also ==
* [[Citation needed]], Wikipedia's mainspace article about this template
* [[Template:Not verified in body]], a similar template specifically for the lead of articles
* [[Template:Medical citation needed]]
* [[Template:More citations needed]]
* [[Wikipedia:Citing sources]], especially [[Wikipedia:Citing sources#Unsourced material|Unsourced material]]
* [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources]]
* [[Wikipedia:Template index/Cleanup#Verifiability and sources]]
* [[Wikipedia:Template index/Sources of articles]]
* [[Wikipedia:Verifiability]]
* [[Wikipedia:Verifiability]]
* [[Wikipedia:Reliable sources]]
* [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Fact and Reference Check]]

=== In-line templates ===

* {{tl|Citequote}}, for "actual quotations" which need citations to make them proper
* {{tl|Page number}}, request a page number for an existing citation
* {{tl|List fact}}, request a citation of a source which justifies inclusion of a given entry in a [[Wikipedia:List guideline|list]]
* {{tl|Clarifyme}}, request clarification of wording or interpretation

==== Verification ====

* {{tl|Verify credibility}}, flag a source as possibly being [[WP:RS|unreliable]] and/or [[WP:V|unverifiable]]
* {{tl|Verify source}}, request that someone verify the cited source backs up the material in the passage
* {{tl|Failed verification}}, source was checked, and did not contain the cited material
* {{tl|Request quotation}}, request a direct quote from an inaccessible source, for verification purposes

==== Content ====

* {{tl|Dubious}}, flag something as suspected of being incorrect
* {{tl|Original research}}, flag something as possibly containing [[Wikipedia:No original research|original research]]
* {{tl|POV-statement}}, dispute the [[Wikipedia:Neutral point of view|neutrality]] of a passage


=== Article message box templates ===
=== Article message box templates ===
* {{Tl|Cite check}}: article or section may have inappropriate or misinterpreted citations.
* {{Tl|More citations needed}}: article or section has weak or incomplete sources, references, or citations.
* {{Tl|Unreferenced}} and {{Tl|Unreferenced section}}: article or section has no sources, references, or citations given at all.
* Citation method and style
** {{Tl|Citation style}}
** {{Tl|No footnotes}}


{{Inline cleanup tags}}
* {{tl|Unreferenced}}, article/section has no sources/references/citations given at all
* {{tl|Refimprove}}, article/section has weak or incomplete sources/references/citations
* {{tl|Citecheck}}, article/section may have inappropriate or misinterpreted citations

<includeonly>
<!-- template categories and interwiki links -->
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fact/doc}}
[[Category:Citation and verifiability maintenance templates]]
[[Category:Inline templates]]


<includeonly>{{Sandbox other||
[[af:Sjabloon:Feit]]
<!-- Template categories -->
[[als:Vorlage:Beleg]]
[[Category:Inline citation and verifiability dispute templates]]
[[ar:قالب:حقيقة]]
[[Category:Templates that add a tracking category]]
[[bg:Шаблон:Посочи източник]]
[[cs:Šablona:Doplňte zdroj]]
[[da:Skabelon:Kilde mangler]]
[[et:Mall:Lisa viide]]
[[el:Πρότυπο:Εκκρεμεί παραπομπή]]
[[es:Plantilla:Añadir referencias]]
[[fa:الگو:مدرک]]
[[fr:Modèle:Citation nécessaire]]
[[ko:틀:출처]]
[[is:Snið:Heimild vantar]]
[[it:Template:Citazione necessaria]]
[[he:תבנית:מקור]]
[[ka:თარგი:ფაქტი]]
[[lv:Template:Nepieciešama atsauce]]
[[lt:Šablonas:Faktas]]
[[nl:Sjabloon:Feit]]
[[ja:Template:要出典]]
[[no:Mal:Trenger referanse]]
[[nn:mal:kjelde manglar]]
[[pl:Szablon:Fakt]]
[[pt:Predefinição:Carece de fontes]]
[[ro:Format:Necesită citare]]
[[ru:Шаблон:Нет источника]]
[[simple:Template:Fact]]
[[sk:Šablóna:Bez citácie]]
[[sl:Predloga:Podatek]]
[[sr:Шаблон:Чињеница]]
[[fi:Malline:Lähde]]
[[sv:Mall:Källa behövs]]
[[tl:Template:Fact]]
[[te:Template:మూలాలు అవసరం]]
[[vi:Tiêu bản:Cần chú thích]]
[[uk:Шаблон:Fact]]
[[zh:Template:Fact]]


}}</includeonly>
<!-- Keep Interwiki's above this line please --->
</includeonly>

Latest revision as of 18:01, August 8, 2023

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{{Citation needed}} is a template used to identify claims in articles, particularly if questionable, that need a citation to a reliable source. This template produces the superscripted message [citation needed] and is installed with no spaces directly after punctuation.

Use

{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}
{{Citation needed|date=June 2024|reason=Your explanation here}}

Notes

  • The |date= parameter consists of the full English name of the current month (with initial capital and rest lowercase), a space, and the year. For example, "January 2013" but not "jan13" or "January 23, 2013". Deviation from this rule will place the article in Category:Articles with invalid date parameter in template.
    • To automatically add the current date, you can use substitution like this: {{subst:Citation needed}}.
    • If the |date= parameter is not given, a bot will soon add it (AnomieBOT's TagDater task) but it's better if you add it yourself to avoid an extra edit to the article's history.
  • The |reason= parameter is for an explanation why you think the material needs a source. It is optional but very helpful. It is displayed as a tooltip in some browsers (hover the mouse here[citation needed] to check behaviour of your browser). For example, the following usage might be appropriate to the claim that "Humphrey Bogart was an avid snooker player":
    {{Citation needed|reason=This claim needs a reliable source; Bogart was a famous actor but his major biographies don't mention snooker.|date=June 2024}}
    • Use only plain text for the |reason= parameter. It does not support wiki markup like wikilinks, which can mess up the tooltip.
    • Double quotation marks used within the |reason= parameter will likewise mess up the tooltip; use single quotes or the HTML code &quot; instead.
    • If omitted, the tooltip "This claim needs references to reliable sources." is used by default.
  • This template should usually be installed directly after punctuation, such as a full stop (period) or a comma.
  • Use of this template places the article into Category:All articles with unsourced statements and Category:Articles with unsourced statements from June 2024 (example; past months are listed in Category:Articles with unsourced statements).
  • Remove the template when you add a citation for a statement.

Examples

Example 1

This sentence shows the template used at the end.{{Citation needed|reason=Reliable source needed for the whole sentence|date=June 2024}}

This wikitext will be rendered as follows:

This sentence shows the template used at the end.[citation needed]

Example 2

[[Humphrey Bogart]] was an avid snooker player.{{Citation needed|date=Template:Currentmonth Template:Currentyear}}

The template indicates that it may be that Humphrey Bogart played snooker at some point and it may be that he was enthusiastic about the game but no reliable, published sources were given to verify it and the information is not considered common knowledge.

Humphrey Bogart was an avid snooker player.[citation needed]

Example 3

If it is considered that he might have played snooker but was not an avid player, a reason for the need of a citation may be given, displayed as a tooltip when the mouse hovers on "citation needed":

[[Humphrey Bogart]] was an avid snooker player.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024|reason=Only aware he was photographed playing once. Not aware of any source that claims he played a lot.}}
Humphrey Bogart was an avid snooker player.[citation needed]

In this example, it may be better to use the {{Citation needed span}}, which has slightly different syntax, template to highlight the word "avid".

When not to use this template

Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced should be removed immediately. Do not tag it; immediately remove it. This includes material that is disparaging, misrepresentative, insulting, harmful, or possibly libelous. For some policy about this, see the sections "Remove contentious material that is unsourced or poorly sourced" at Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons and "Burden of evidence" at Wikipedia:Verifiability.

The {{Citation needed}} template is intended for use when there is a general question of the verifiability of a statement, or when an editor believes that a reference verifying the statement should be provided. Other templates are available for other or more specific issues; see the list of inline templates. For example, claims that you think are incorrect should be tagged with {{Dubious}}, and those which represent a non-neutral view should be tagged with {{POV statement}}. Being specific about the nature of the problem will help other editors correct it.

Within a lead section that is clearly written as a summary of a substantially sourced article,

  • statements that are supported with citations within the body of the article should not be tagged,
  • statements that are not supported in the article body should be tagged with {{Not verified in body}}.

If you have the time and ability to find an authoritative reference, please do so. Then add the citation yourself, or correct the article text. After all, the ultimate goal is not to merely identify problems, but to fix them.

While an editor may add this template to any uncited passage for any reason, many editors object to what they perceive as overuse of this tag, particularly in what is known as "drive-by" tagging, which is applying the tag without attempting to address the issues at all. Consider whether adding this tag in an article is the best approach before using it, and use it judiciously. Wikipedia's verifiability policy requires neither reliable sources for common well-known facts (e.g., "the Moon orbits the Earth"), nor that citations be repeated through every sentence in a paragraph. All direct quotations and facts whose accuracy might be challenged (e.g., statistics) require citations. See WP:MINREF for the list of material that is absolutely required to be followed by an inline citation, rather than a general reference or no citation at all. Also note that the burden of evidence lies with the editor who adds or restores material.

This template is intended for specific passages that need citation. For entire articles or sections that contain significant material lacking citations (rather than just specific short passages), there are other, more appropriate templates, such as {{Unreferenced}} and {{More citations needed}} (for whole articles) as well as {{Unreferenced section}} and {{More citations needed section}} (for sections of articles).

Do not use this template to tag policies or guidelines.

How to respond to this tag

The addition of this tag is a request for an inline citation to support the tagged statement. If you are able to provide a citation to support the claim, then please do so.

Except for contentious claims about living people, which should be immediately removed if not cited, there is no specific deadline for providing citations. Please do not delete information that you believe is correct solely because no one has provided a citation within an arbitrary time limit. If there is some uncertainty about its accuracy, most editors are willing to wait at least a month to see whether a citation can be provided.

Template data

This is the TemplateData for this template used by TemplateWizard, VisualEditor and other tools. Click here to see a monthly parameter usage report for this template based on this TemplateData.

TemplateData for Citation needed

The template is used to identify claims in articles, particularly if questionable, that lack a citation to a reliable source.

Template parameters

ParameterDescriptionTypeStatus
Month and yeardate

Provides the month and year of the citation request; e.g., 'January 2013', but not 'jan13'

Auto value
{{subst:CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{subst:CURRENTYEAR}}
Stringsuggested
Reason for citationreason

A reason as to why, or for what content, the citation is needed; use single quotes, if any

Stringoptional

Tracking categories

See also

Article message box templates


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