Who this guide helps
Editors preparing educational or creative material
The short answer
Trace the sentence to an identifiable source and check what it supports. Several websites repeating a claim are not necessarily independent evidence.
Practical workflow
Break the claim into name, date, place and meaning. Locate original or authoritative records where possible and preserve uncertainty wording. Distinguish inference from direct evidence. Ask a specialist where interpretation depends on language, religious context or contested scholarship. Keep the check connected to the actual sentence.
What a useful handoff looks like
Revise unsupported certainty and add a reference readers can inspect. Preserve removed claims and unresolved questions in the editorial record. Clearly label creative interpretation rather than attaching a source that does not support it.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not invent citations or assume an old-looking webpage is the original source. Plausibility is not verification.
Working example: fields to record
| Field | Illustrative entry — replace with your own facts |
|---|---|
| Claim element | Date or meaning to check |
| Source support | Direct evidence or inference |
| Revision | Certainty reduced or claim removed |
Add your own entries; the example is illustrative. Keep sensitive information private.
Sources & further checks
Official references are starting points for further checks, not approval of a specific case, product or project.
Editorial note
AI-assisted editorial guidance; not expert certification.
Original editorial guidance. Examples are illustrative, not client cases, measured outcomes or promised services.
Legal and health-related decisions require appropriately qualified local professionals. This site is an independent editorial resource, not a law firm or medical provider.