[whatwg] request for clarification: aside, figure

I don't think the spec is clear enough defining these two elements from an  
author's perspective.

"The aside element represents a section of a page that consists of content  
that is tangentially related to the content around the aside element, and  
which could be considered separate from that content."

"The figure element represents some flow content, optionally with a  
caption, which can be moved away from the main flow of the document  
without affecting the document's meaning.

What is the difference between a <figure> that has no caption and an  
<aside>? Both seem to be connected in some way with the main content  
around it, but can be considered separate/ may be moved.

Common-sense suggests that a figure is usually an  illustration/ diagram/  
picture, but doesn't have to be (the spec gives an example of the poem  
Jabberwocky marked up as a figure).

So If I have a magazine-style pullquote, is that a figure or an aside (or  
neither)?

For example, in the middle of a fictional interview about markup, I might  
want to pull out a quote and citation: Do I write

<aside>
<blockquote>After a sip of sweet sherry, I turn into Mr Last  
Week</blockquote>
<cite>Ian Hickson</cite>
</aside>

Or

<figure>
<blockquote>After a sip of sweet sherry, I turn into Mr Last  
Week</blockquote>
<legend>Ian Hickson</cite>
</aside>



-- 
Hang loose and stay groovy,

Bruce Lawson
Web Evangelist
www.opera.com (work)
www.brucelawson.co.uk (personal)

Received on Sunday, 10 May 2009 00:58:47 UTC