An excerpt was a portion of a document or recording. Taken out of context, they could be misconstrued.
In 2293, as part of the evidence against James T. Kirk, General Chang played an excerpt from the captain's personal log, in which Kirk stated, "I've never trusted Klingons and I never will. I've never been able to forgive them for the death of my boy." (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)