How many words are in a brief quotation?

There's no set number of words that defines a "brief quotation." It's more about the context and the purpose of the quotation.

Here's how to think about it:

* Purpose: Is the quotation meant to be a short, impactful snippet? Or is it meant to be a more detailed excerpt of the original source?

* Context: How long is the surrounding text? A quote that's brief within a long article might seem verbose in a short tweet.

General guidelines:

* Short and sweet: 1-5 words might be considered very brief.

* A short sentence or two: 5-15 words is likely to be seen as brief.

* A longer excerpt: More than 15 words might be considered a longer quotation.

Ultimately, it's about what feels appropriate for your specific needs.