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When a scholar states something in terms, presenting multiple lines of evidence for it, and we then cite the scholar, it is entirely in order to say that the scholar "writes" or "states" the thing. When one scholar argues a case and another argues the opposite, then we may still say that A states this and B states that, as long as we don't take sides. There is no need to say that A speculates - indeed, that is very close to taking sides, which is what we want to avoid at all costs. I agree that we should only say "notes" when the fact is uncontroversial, which in the case of a Middle-earth article could happen when Tolkien says it's so, or when a scholar is quoting another scholar's argument ("A notes that B stated/suggested/etc"). Chiswick Chap (talk) 19:30, 25 August 2022 (UTC)[reply]
You seem to be quite right.--Jack Upland (talk) 19:35, 25 August 2022 (UTC)[reply]