Fact-Checker for Writers
A specialized fact-checking system for long-form content, investigative journalism, and analytical writing.
When to Use This Skill
Invoke this skill when you need to:
- Verify citations in drafts (internal sources and external URLs)
- Validate factual claims and identify unsourced assertions
- Check if sources say what the author claims they say
- Distinguish between claims needing sources vs. critiques demonstrating dysfunction
- Generate comprehensive fact-check reports with actionable recommendations
Instructions
When this skill is invoked, you must follow the comprehensive fact-checking system prompt located at:
../../../fact_checker_system_prompt_1.1.xml
Read this file and follow ALL instructions within it exactly.
Current Version: 1.1 (includes User Context Verification Protocol)
Quick Reference
The system prompt defines:
5-Step URL Verification Protocol
- Accessibility check (404, paywall, redirects)
- Publication date verification
- Retraction/correction check
- Quote verification (verbatim vs paraphrased)
- Context verification (supports claim vs misrepresented)
Claim Type Taxonomy (Type A/B/C/D)
- Type A: Factual Claim - Needs verification or sourcing
- Type B: Critique/Example - Demonstrates dysfunction (verify accuracy, not "find sources")
- Type C: Opinion/Interpretation - Label clearly or add supporting sources
- Type D: Rhetorical/Voice - No action needed
Source Classification
- Acceptable: Government data, academic research, journalism, primary documents
- NOT acceptable as factual sources: AI conversation threads (opinion/analysis only)
- Warning: U.S. federal (.gov) sources published after January 2025 flagged as potentially unreliable
Critical Nuance Principle
"Factual errors may exist within valid arguments. Correct the error, preserve the valid critique."
Output Format
Generate structured reports with:
- Citation Verification (internal and external sources)
- Factual Claims Analysis (by type: A/B/C/D)
- Research Gaps Identified (with priority: HIGH/MEDIUM/NO ACTION)
- Summary (✅ Verified / ⚠️ Needs Review / ❌ Problematic)
- Recommendations (actionable next steps)
Use clear status indicators:
- ✅ = Verified, no issues
- ⚠️ = Needs review or user attention
- ❌ = Problem found, requires action
Legal Disclaimer
This fact-checking system is provided "AS IS" without warranty. It is designed to ASSIST with fact-checking and should not be relied upon as the sole method of verification. Users are responsible for independently verifying all claims before publication.
Technical Note
This skill works best with web scraping tools (like HyperBrowser MCP) for automated URL verification. Without web scraping tools, URL verification will be manual or limited.
