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AEO Canon · the reference for answer-engine optimization
AEOCanon

Lesson 4 of 6

Writing Passages AI Will Quote

Engines cite passages, so you have to write the sentence you want quoted and put it first. This lesson is the craft of extractability.

Learning objectives

  • ▸Write an answer-first, self-contained passage.
  • ▸Explain why placement and structure beat format.
  • ▸Add inline evidence that makes a passage safe to cite.

The lesson

Read the full lesson →Extractability — Writing Passages AI Will QuoteExtractability is the third pillar of the AEO Canon — answer engines cite passages, not pages, so write the sentence you want quoted and put it first. Nine properties make a passage liftable; the biggest lever is leading with the answer.3 min read

Key takeaways

  • ▸Lead with the answer in the first sentence under a question-shaped heading.
  • ▸Make passages self-contained (~120–180 words) so they make sense lifted out of context.
  • ▸Back claims with a specific statistic, quotation, or named source.

Knowledge check

Knowledge check

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  1. 1. Where should the answer go in a passage?

  2. 2. What makes a passage 'self-contained'?

  3. 3. What most improves a passage's chance of being cited?