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I think some clarification is needed for the spec's restrictions on the use of <cite>. This request stems from a brief discussion with Steve Faulkner in the comments @ HTML5Doctor.com ( http://html5doctor.com/cite-and-blockquote-reloaded/#comment-43431 ) According to the spec: "It must include the title of the work or the name of the author(person, people or organization) or an URL reference, which may be in an abbreviated form as per the conventions used for the addition of citation metadata." This appears to indicate that use of <cite> with abbreviated citation forms is valid (as Steve Faulkner asserted). However, there are many abbreviated citation forms which do not include the title of the work, author, or a URL reference, as also seems to be required. Examples include: abbreviated cite with author: “See, Miller, supra, p. 2″ abbreviated cite examples without a title, author, or a URL reference: "See Ibid 35″ “See also, id at Chap. 10″ These types of abbreviated citation forms (which are common in scholarly and legal documents) are often used where the same source is cited multiple times in a row within a work and the reader can look at first cite for the full citation (which would very likely include a title, author, or a URL reference). The spec definition, as I read it, seems to say that abbreviated forms are valid but also seems to require that they must still include a title, author, or a URL reference. As a result, it is unclear if <cite> can be used with this type of citation. I would prefer to see the spec explicitly allow abbreviated or shortened citation forms even if they do not include a title, author, or a URL reference.
I should add the example of the use of "supra" (latin for "above") which is often seen in scholarly work when the author is citing a prior cited work and can be seen without a title, author, or URL when used to cite internally. For example, cites in Chapter 2, citing to something discussed in Chapter 1 of the same work.
(In reply to Edward Bryant from comment #0) > I would prefer to see the spec explicitly allow abbreviated or shortened > citation forms even if they do not include a title, author, or a URL > reference. Current definition "The cite element represents a reference to a creative work. It must include the title of the work or the name of the author(person, people or organization) or an URL reference, which may be in an abbreviated form as per the conventions used for the addition of citation metadata." suggested definition "The cite element represents a reference to a creative work. It must include the title of the work or the name of the author(person, people or organization) or a URL reference or a reference in abbreviated form as per the conventions used for the addition of citation metadata." I would also suggest an example be added and that in the case of untitled citations it be recommended that they be linked to the base reference so that the relationship can be queried Example: <cite id="c1"> Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina, 471.</cite> ... <cite><a href="#c1">Ibid.</a></cite> thoughts?
refer to https://github.com/w3c/html/commit/03d04c83953b8efe9c5cfabd57f3489c448b8296