Template:Citation/doc

From Warwick Wiki

{{Citation}} (alternatively, {{cite}}) is a general purpose citation template. It should be used whenever giving a source for a statement on this wiki, and can handle websites, books, magazines/newspapers, documents from the Modern Record Centre, signs and plaques, and more.

Usage

It is intended to be used within <ref> tags, like so: 

This is a statement that needs to be sourced.<ref>{{citation|title=A Source|...}}</ref>

Then, at the bottom of the page, do 

== References ==
{{reflist}}

Overall, this produces the following (the heading has been replaced with a false heading to prevent it appearing in the table of contents):

This is a statement that needs to be sourced.[1]

References

  1. ↑ A Source (undated).

This template has many parameters, but most will rarely be necessary. For a full list, check the TemplateData.

Websites

For websites, the following will often be sufficient: 

{{citation|title = |author = |website-name = |date = |url = |access-date = }}

If the website has an archive (for example on the Wayback Machine), which is recommended, you should extend this to: 

{{citation|title = |author = |website-name = |date = |url = |access-date = |archive-url = |archive-date = }}

Examples

For example:

Wikitext Display 
{{citation|title = Campus Residences at the University of Warwick |author = [[Warwick Accomodation]] |website-name = warwick.ac.uk |date = 2025-02-25 |url = https://warwick.ac.uk/services/accommodation/students/residences |access-date = 2025-07-14 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250714164141/https://warwick.ac.uk/services/accommodation/students/residences |archive-date = 2025-07-14 }}
 "Campus Residences at the University of Warwick" by Warwick Accomodation (2025-02-25) via warwick.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 2025-07-14. Accessed on 2025-07-14. 
{{citation|title = Bears - some information  |author = [[Colin Sparrow]] |website-name = warwick.ac.uk |date = 2011-09-19 |url = https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/maths/people/staff/colin_sparrow/bearsinfo/ |access-date = 2025-07-14 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250714165101/https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/maths/people/staff/colin_sparrow/bearsinfo/ |archive-date = 2025-07-14 }}
 "Bears - some information" by Colin Sparrow (2011-09-19) via warwick.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 2025-07-14. Accessed on 2025-07-14. 
{{citation|title = Office for Students urges ‘very strong’ support for free speech on campuses |author = Will Raven |website-name = theboar.org | publisher = [[The Boar]] |date = 2025-07-14 |url = https://theboar.org/2025/07/office-for-students-urges-very-strong-support-for-free-speech-on-campuses/ |access-date = 2025-07-14 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250714165447/https://theboar.org/2025/07/office-for-students-urges-very-strong-support-for-free-speech-on-campuses/ |archive-date = 2025-07-14 }}
 "Office for Students urges ‘very strong’ support for free speech on campuses" by Will Raven (2025-07-14), published by The Boar via theboar.org. Archived from the original on 2025-07-14. Accessed on 2025-07-14. 
{{citation|title =     Finance: Guidelines & Rules |website-name = warwicksu.com | publisher = [[Warwick SU]] |url = https://www.warwicksu.com/societies-sports/exec-resources/finance/guidelines/ |access-date = 2025-07-14 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250714165724/https://www.warwicksu.com/societies-sports/exec-resources/finance/guidelines/ |archive-date = 2025-07-14 }}
 "Finance: Guidelines & Rules" (undated), published by Warwick SU via warwicksu.com. Archived from the original on 2025-07-14. Accessed on 2025-07-14.

Newspapers, magazines, booklets and other periodicals

For newspapers, magazines and other periodicals, the following will often be sufficient: 

{{citation|title = |author = |periodical = |volume = |issue = |editor = |publisher = |date = |page = }}

If the article has also been published online, you should extend this to: 

{{citation|title = |author = |periodical = |volume = |issue = |editor = |publisher = |date = |page = |url = |access-date = |archive-url = |archive-date = }}

Examples

Wikitext Display 
{{citation|title = Scrap democracy and postgraduate officers, Warwick SU told |author = staff writers |periodical = ''[[The Boar]]'' |volume = 47 |issue = 6 |editor = Anna Bickerton |editor2 = Martin Day |date = 2025-06-04 |page = 1}}
 "Scrap democracy and postgraduate officers, Warwick SU told" by staff writers (2025-06-04), part of The Boar, vol. 47, issue 6, edited by Anna Bickerton, Martin Day, page 1. 
{{citation|title = Universities reassess transgender policies following Supreme Court ruling |author = Tom Ryan |periodical = ''[[The Boar]]'' |volume = 47 |issue = 6 |editor = Anna Bickerton |editor2 = Martin Day |date = 2025-06-04 |page = 3 |url = https://theboar.org/2025/06/universities-reassess-transgender-policies-following-supreme-court-ruling/ | access-date = 2025-07-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250715144102/https://theboar.org/2025/06/universities-reassess-transgender-policies-following-supreme-court-ruling/ |archive-date = 2025-07-15}}
 "Universities reassess transgender policies following Supreme Court ruling" by Tom Ryan (2025-06-04), part of The Boar, vol. 47, issue 6, edited by Anna Bickerton, Martin Day, page 3. Archived from the original on 2025-07-15. Accessed on 2025-07-15. 
{{citation|title = A celebration of art in all its form: How the revival of the Warwick Student Arts Festival (WSAF) brought a summer of joy to campus |author = Abigail Mableson |periodical = [[The Boar Magazine]] |publisher = [[The Boar]] |date = January 2025 |page = 6}}
 "A celebration of art in all its form: How the revival of the Warwick Student Arts Festival (WSAF) brought a summer of joy to campus" by Abigail Mableson (January 2025), part of The Boar Magazine, page 6, published by The Boar. 
{{citation|title = Putting the 'Film' in FilmSoc |author = Kieran Hall |periodical = Autumn Term 2024 booklet |publisher = [[Warwick Student Cinema]] |date = Autumn 2024 |pages = 5-8 |work-ital = no }}
 "Putting the 'Film' in FilmSoc" by Kieran Hall (Autumn 2024), part of the Autumn Term 2024 booklet, pages 5-8, published by Warwick Student Cinema. 
{{citation|title = The Westwood Moleman: A force for good, or a terrible nightmare? |work-author = Will Moores |periodical = [[W-WOW]] |publisher = [[Warwick Student Art Festival]]}}
 "The Westwood Moleman: A force for good, or a terrible nightmare?" (undated), part of W-WOW by Will Moores, published by Warwick Student Art Festival.

For examples of issues of The Boar and its predecessors taken from the Modern Records Centre, see the dedicated section.

Books

For books, one of the following will often be sufficient: 

{{citation|title = |author = |edition = |publisher = |date = |isbn = }}
{{citation|title = |editor = |edition = |publisher = |date = |isbn = }}

Examples

Wikitext Display 
{{citation|title = [[Making a University: A Celebration of Warwick's First 25 Years]] |author = Michael Shattock |publisher = the [[University of Warwick]] |date = 1991-01-01 |isbn = 0902683144}}
 Making a University: A Celebration of Warwick's First 25 Years by Michael Shattock (1991-01-01), published by the University of Warwick, ISBN 0902683144. 
{{citation|title = [[Warwick University Ltd]] |editor = [[E. P. Thompson]] |edition = 2nd |publisher = Spokesman Books |date = 1970 |publication-date = 2013-12-18 |isbn = 9780851248295}}
 Warwick University Ltd (2nd ed.), edited by E. P. Thompson (1970), published by Spokesman Books (2013-12-18), ISBN 9780851248295. 
{{citation|title = The Martin Family and the University of Warwick |author = Michael Shattock |author2 = Roberta Warman |edition = 2nd |publisher = the [[University of Warwick]] |date = November 2010 |isbn = 9780902683983 | url = https://warwick.ac.uk/news/pressreleases/studio_naming_ensures/martin_book_no_bleed.pdf | access-date = 2025-07-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250715152314/https://warwick.ac.uk/news/pressreleases/studio_naming_ensures/martin_book_no_bleed.pdf | archive-date = 2025-07-15 }}
 The Martin Family and the University of Warwick (2nd ed.) by Michael Shattock, Roberta Warman (November 2010), published by the University of Warwick. Archived from the original on 2025-07-15. Accessed on 2025-07-15, ISBN 9780902683983.

Parts of books

For parts of books, one of the following will often be sufficient: 

{{citation|title = |author = |work = |edition = |publisher = |date = |isbn = |pages = }}
{{citation|title = |author = |work = |work-author = |edition = |publisher = |date = |isbn = |pages = }}
{{citation|title = |author = |work = |editor = |edition = |publisher = |date = |isbn = |pages = }}

Examples

Wikitext Display 
{{citation|title = Introduction to the New Edition |author = Hugo Radice |work = [[Warwick University Ltd]] |editor = [[E. P. Thompson]] |edition = 2nd |publisher = Spokesman Books |date = October 2013 |publication-date = 2013-12-18 |isbn = 9780851248295 |pages = i-iii}}
 "Introduction to the New Edition" by Hugo Radice (October 2013), part of Warwick University Ltd (2nd ed.), edited by E. P. Thompson, pages i-iii, published by Spokesman Books (2013-12-18), ISBN 9780851248295.

Signs and plaques on campus

For signs and plaques on campus, the following will often be sufficient: 

{{citation|title = |date = |access-date = |title-ital = no}}

Try to make the title descriptive and include the sign/plaque's location. Use the access date to denote the day you last read the sign/plaque and verified that it was still there and readable. If possible, take a photo of the sign/plaque and upload it to the wiki. Then, link to the file page on the title.

Examples

to be added

Items from the Modern Records Centre

The Modern Records Centre, particuarly the University of Warwick Archive, contains many items of use when researching for this wiki. When citing an item available in the archive, add the following to the citation template: 

|archive-centre = [[Modern Records Centre]] |archive-collection = [[University of Warwick Archive]] |archive-ref = |archive-ref-url =

The archive ref should be the item's reference number, found by browsing the online catalogue, and the archive ref URL should be a link to the item's page in the catalogue.

Likely the most common item from the Modern Records Centre to cite on this wiki will be issues of newspapers, magazines and other periodicals like The Boar, Campus, The Giblet and many more. For these, the following will often be sufficient: 

{{citation|title = |author = |periodical = |volume = |issue = |editor = |publisher = |date = |page = |archive-centre = [[Modern Records Centre]] |archive-collection = [[University of Warwick Archive]] |archive-ref = |archive-ref-url = }}

Examples

Wikitext Display 
{{citation|title = Whose Union? |author = [[Alistair Edwards]] |periodical = ''[[University Opinion]]'' 1974/75 |work-ital = no |issue = 1 |date = October 1974 |page = 1-2 |archive-centre = [[Modern Records Centre]] |archive-collection = [[University of Warwick Archive]] |archive-ref = UWA/PUB/OP/5/1 |archive-ref-url = https://mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/UWA/P/1/15/4/35}}
 "Whose Union?" by Alistair Edwards (October 1974), part of University Opinion 1974/75, issue 1, pages 1-2. Available in the University of Warwick Archive, Modern Records Centre, UWA/PUB/OP/5/1. 
{{citation|title = What About the Workers? |periodical = [[The Giblet]] |issue = 1 |editor = John Birtwistle |date = 1965-10-20 |page = 2 |archive-centre = [[Modern Records Centre]] |archive-collection = [[University of Warwick Archive]] |archive-ref = UWA/PUB/GL/1 |archive-ref-url = https://mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/UWA/P/1/17/3/1 |url = https://cdm21047.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/boar/id/521/rec/1 |access-date = 2025-07-15 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250715155708/https://cdm21047.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/boar/id/521/rec/1 |archive-date = 2025-07-15}}
 "What About the Workers?" (1965-10-20), part of The Giblet, issue 1, edited by John Birtwistle, page 2. Archived from the original on 2025-07-15. Accessed on 2025-07-15. Available in the University of Warwick Archive, Modern Records Centre, UWA/PUB/GL/1. 
{{citation|title = Union given a vote of confidence |periodical = [[The Boar|Warwick Boar]] |volume = 27 |issue = 9 |editor = Kate Dunn |date = 2004-11-30 |page = 1 |archive-centre = [[Modern Records Centre]] |archive-collection = [[University of Warwick Archive]] |archive-ref = UWA/PUB/WB/607 |archive-ref-url = https://mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/UWA/P/1/17/6/608 |url = https://cdm21047.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/boar/id/14891/rec/777 |access-date = 2025-07-15 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250715160435/https://cdm21047.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/boar/id/14891/rec/777 |archive-date = 2025-07-15}}
 "Union given a vote of confidence" (2004-11-30), part of Warwick Boar, vol. 27, issue 9, edited by Kate Dunn, page 1. Archived from the original on 2025-07-15. Accessed on 2025-07-15. Available in the University of Warwick Archive, Modern Records Centre, UWA/PUB/WB/607. 
{{citation|title = Photo of [[Senate House]] |title-ital = no |date = 1974 |archive-centre = [[Modern Records Centre]] |archive-collection = [[University of Warwick Archive]] |archive-ref = UWA/Photos/II.C.1/1/1 |archive-ref-url = https://mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/UWA/PH/photos/4/1}}
 Photo of Senate House (1974). Available in the University of Warwick Archive, Modern Records Centre, UWA/Photos/II.C.1/1/1.

Reusing citation

See also: MediaWiki help page

To reuse a citation, provide a name attribute in the opening <ref> tag. For example: 

<ref name="SomeName">{{citation|...}}</ref>

This citation can then be reused using <ref name="SomeName" />

Citing several locations in the same source

You can use the extends attribute within a <ref> to extend a previously named citation. See the MediaWiki help page for details and an example.

TemplateData

A general purpose citation template for providing details of a source to back up details in an article. It is intended to be used within footnote <ref></ref> tags.

Template parameters

This template prefers inline formatting of parameters.

ParameterDescriptionTypeStatus
Source titletitle

The title of the source. May contain wiki markup (although italics is applied automatically), including links if a url is not specified elsewhere.

Example
[[Warwick University Ltd]]
Contentrequired
Datedate

The date the source was written or released. Can contain arbitrary text, allowing for "c. 1975" and similar.

Default
undated
Example
2025-07-15
Linesuggested
Authorauthor author1

The name of the source's author. Further authors can be specified with author2, author3, etc.

Example
Michael Shattock
Contentsuggested
Publisherpublisher

The publisher of the source of work containing the source.

Example
the [[University of Warwick]]
Contentsuggested
URLurl

The URL of the source. If used, an access date should also be given.

URLsuggested
Access dateaccess-date

The date the source was last accessed and verified.

Example
2025-07-15
Auto value
{{SUBST:#time: Y-m-d | {{SUBST:LOCALTIMESTAMP}} }}
Datesuggested
Platform/websitevia website-name

The platform/website that the source was published through.

Suggested values
warwick.ac.uk warwicksu.com theboar.org
Example
warwick.ac.uk
Contentoptional
Editoreditor editor1

The name of the source's editor. Further authors can be specified with editor2, editor3, etc.

Example
[[E. P. Thompson]]
Contentoptional
Workwork part of periodical magazine newspaper

The over-arching work that the source is part of. This could be a newspaper, magazine or other periodical.

Example
[[The Boar]]
Contentsuggested
Editionedition

The edition of the source or the work the source is part of.

Example
2nd
Lineoptional
Volumevolume

The volume of the source or the work the source is part of.

Example
3
Lineoptional
Issue numberissue

The issue of the source or the work the source is part of.

Example
5
Lineoptional
Work authorwork-author work-author

The name of the work that the source is part of's author, if different from the sources author. Further authors can be specified with work-author2, work-author3, etc.

Contentoptional
Publication datepublication-date

The date the source was published, if different from the date provided to the date parameter.

Example
2025-07-15
Lineoptional
Archive URLarchive-url

A URL to an archive of the source, such as on the Wayback Machine. If given, the archive date should also be provided.

URLoptional
Archive datearchive-date

The date the source was archived at the provided archive URL.

Example
2025-07-15
Auto value
{{SUBST:#time: Y-m-d | {{SUBST:LOCALTIMESTAMP}} }}
Dateoptional
ISBNisbn

The ISBN of the source or work containing the source.

Example
9780851248295
Lineoptional
Page number(s)page pages

The page number of the source in its contianing work.

Example
3-8
Lineoptional
Archive centrearchive-centre

The archive centre that the source is located in.

Suggested values
[[Modern Records Centre]]
Example
[[Modern Records Centre]]
Auto value
[[Modern Records Centre]]
Contentoptional
Archive collectionarchive-collection

The archive collection that the source is part of.

Suggested values
[[University of Warwick Archive]]
Example
[[University of Warwick Archive]]
Auto value
[[University of Warwick Archive]]
Contentoptional
Archive referencearchive-ref

The reference number of the source in the archive centre.

Example
UWA/PUB/GL/1
Lineoptional
Archive reference URLarchive-ref-url

A URL to the item's page in the archive centre/collection's catalogue.

Example
https://mrc-describe.epexio.com/records/UWA/P/1/17/3/1
URLoptional
Italicise source title?title-ital

Whether or not the source's title should be italicised. Only set this if not setting it produces the incorrect result.

Suggested values
yes no
Default
yes (if work or via is not set); no (if work or via is set)
Lineoptional
Quote source title?title-quotes

Whether or not the source's title should be surrounded by quotes. Only set this if not setting it produces the incorrect result.

Suggested values
yes no
Default
yes (if work or via is set); no (if work or via is not set)
Lineoptional
Italicise work title?work-ital

Whether or not the work containing the source's title should be italicised. Only set this if not setting it produces the incorrect result.

Suggested values
yes no
Default
yes
Lineoptional
Quote work title?work-quotes

Whether or not the work containing the source's title should be surrounded by quotes. Only set this if not setting it produces the incorrect result.

Suggested values
yes no
Default
no
Lineoptional
Work detailswork-details

Details of the source or the work the source is part of, replacing the editon, volume and issue number.

Lineoptional
Second authorauthor2

The name of the source's author. Further authors can be specified with author3, etc.

Example
Michael Shattock
Contentoptional
Second editoreditor2

The name of the source's editor. Further authors can be specified with editor3, etc.

Example
Michael Shattock
Contentoptional
URL login requiredlogin

The login required to acces the URL, if any

Suggested values
Warwick
Example
Warwick
Contentoptional
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