Changes

An '''out of context''' quotation is a kind of discrediting attack which appears to use a person's own words against him, but is deceptive because the apparent meaning of the quoted words—even though they are accurately quoted—is different from the meaning of longer passage from which the words were taken.

An '''out of context''' quotation is a kind of discrediting attack which appears to use a person's own words against him, but is deceptive because the apparent meaning of the quoted words—even though they are accurately quoted—is different from the meaning of longer passage from which the words were taken.

<!--Editors: please resist the temptation to transform this into a long list of examples, and, in particular, avoid examples that relate to live political or Conservapedian disputes.  Only a relatively small number of examples are needed. They should be chosen as most clearly illustrating the points being made. This is best done with non-controversial examples. Controversial examples are less clear, because different readers will perceive what they are reading in different ways; in a controversial topic, what one person sees as a "quotation out of context" may be seen by another as perfectly fair.  

<!--Editors: please resist the temptation to transform this into a long list of examples, and, in particular, avoid examples that relate to live political or Conservapedian disputes.  Only a relatively small number of examples are needed. They should be chosen as most clearly illustrating the points being made. This is best done with non-controversial examples. Controversial examples are less clear, because different readers will perceive what they are reading in different ways; in a controversial topic, what one person sees as a "quotation out of context" may be seen by another as perfectly fair.  

In general, real examples are better than invented ones. Thanks. --dpbsmith --->

In general, real examples are better than invented ones. Thanks. --dpbsmith --->

 

Movie and book advertisements often find ways of extracting seemingly favorable snippets from overwhelmingly negative reviews. For example, an advertisement for the film ''Be Cool'' quoted:

For example: as quoted in an advertisement for the film ''Be Cool:''  

:"...Travolta is as smooth as ever..." &mdash;Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

:"...Travolta is as smooth as ever..." &mdash;Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

The actual review:  

The actual review said:  

:"[John Travolta's character Chili] Palmer is back in 'Be Cool,' and although Travolta is as smooth as ever, the picture is a bust, a grimly unfunny comedy with no connection to reality, and worst of all, running on and on for two dismal hours."<ref>[http://gelfmagazine.com/archives/the_blurb_racket.php The Blurb Racket], ''Gelf Magazine''</ref>

:"[John Travolta's character Chili] Palmer is back in 'Be Cool,' and although Travolta is as smooth as ever, the picture is a bust, a grimly unfunny comedy with no connection to reality, and worst of all, running on and on for two dismal hours."<ref>[http://gelfmagazine.com/archives/the_blurb_racket.php The Blurb Racket], ''Gelf Magazine''</ref>