> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.learnterms.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manual source citations

> Attach a Content Library document and supporting pages to a manually authored or edited question.

A rationale is required. A source citation is optional.

Use a manual citation when a document in the cohort's Content Library supports the answer or rationale.

## Add a source

1. Create or edit a question in a module.
2. Go to the **Rationale** section.
3. Under **Source (optional)**, select **Add source**.
4. Choose a processed document from the cohort's Content Library.
5. Preview the original page or switch to **Extracted text**.
6. Select the pages that directly support the rationale.
7. Select **Use pages**.
8. Save the question.

The source document must be available to the destination cohort and must have completed document processing through indexing or mapping.

## Select pages

* Click a page thumbnail to preview it.
* Click the page circle or **Cite page** to select it.
* Enter a range such as `1–12, 24, 38–45`, then select **Add pages**.
* Use **Selected only** to audit the final page set.
* Select **Clear** to start the page selection again.

Choose the smallest page set that supports the correct answer and rationale.

## Change or remove a citation

* **Edit pages** changes the selected pages in the current document.
* **Change document** replaces the document and page selection.
* The remove button beside a page removes that page.
* **Remove source** removes the manual citation from the question.

Save the question after changing its source.

## What students see

After revealing the rationale, students see the source title and a chip for each cited page. Selecting a page chip opens the original PDF in a new tab at that page.

If the browser blocks the new tab, the student must allow pop-ups for LearnTerms and try again.

## Why citations are optional

* A missing Content Library document should not block manual question entry.
* Some rationales synthesize contributor knowledge across sources or have no uploaded source.
* Older questions can remain valid while contributors add sources over time.

The required rationale still has to explain the answer. A citation does not replace the rationale.

## Why citing is a good habit

* Students can verify the explanation against the course material.
* Contributors can review the exact supporting pages before publishing.
* Future editors can recheck a question when the source or curriculum changes.
* Page-level evidence makes disagreements easier to resolve.
* Manual citations preserve useful provenance when a question was not created in Question Studio.

Adding a citation takes more time because you must find, preview, and verify the correct pages. Verify the support before attaching page numbers.

Before saving, confirm:

* the cited page states or clearly supports the rationale
* the page belongs to the correct document and cohort
* the citation does not rely on an answer key without explanation
* every selected page adds useful support

AI-generated questions can already include Question Studio citations. Add a manual citation when you create a question yourself or when the final edited question needs a curated page reference.

## Related guides

* [Question authoring](/docs/contributors/question-authoring)
* [Why rationales are required](/docs/contributors/why-rationales-are-required)
* [Source context](/docs/admin/source-context)