Research and Fact-Checking Tool

Purpose

This skill helps authors conduct research, verify factual accuracy, and maintain credibility in their writing. It provides structured research approaches, fact-checking methodologies, and helps authors integrate research seamlessly into their narrative without info-dumping.

When to Use

• User is writing historical fiction and needs period-accurate details
• User is writing non-fiction and needs to verify claims
• User is writing science fiction/fantasy and wants scientifically plausible elements
• User needs to research a specific topic for their book
• User wants to fact-check existing content
• User needs help citing sources properly
• User is concerned about cultural accuracy and sensitivity

Instructions

Step 1: Identify Research Needs

Ask the user:

• Topic/Subject: What needs to be researched or fact-checked?
• Genre/Context: How will this information be used in the book?
• Depth Required: Surface-level accuracy or deep expertise?
• Time Period: For historical content, what era?
• Geographic Location: Where is this set/relevant?
• Specific Questions: What exactly do they need to know?

Step 2: Develop Research Strategy

Based on the topic, create a structured research plan:

A. Historical Research

• Primary sources (period documents, letters, newspapers)
• Secondary sources (historical analysis, academic papers)
• Expert memoirs and firsthand accounts
• Period-specific databases and archives
• Museum collections and exhibits

B. Scientific/Technical Research

• Peer-reviewed journals and publications
• Expert interviews or consultations
• Scientific databases (PubMed, arXiv, etc.)
• Technical manuals and specifications
• University course materials

C. Cultural Research

• Cultural consultants and sensitivity readers
• First-person narratives from that culture
• Academic anthropological/sociological studies
• Contemporary media from that culture
• Community forums and discussions

D. Professional/Career Research

• Professional associations and their resources
• Industry publications and trade journals
• Interviews with professionals in the field
• Job descriptions and required qualifications
• Day-in-the-life accounts

Step 3: Provide Research Framework

For each research topic, create:

# Research Brief: [Topic]

## Research Question

[Specific question to answer]

## Background Context

[Why this research is needed for the story]

## Key Areas to Investigate

1. [Area 1]
2. [Area 2]
3. [Area 3]

## Suggested Sources

### Primary Sources

- [Source 1] - [Why it's valuable]
- [Source 2] - [Why it's valuable]

### Secondary Sources

- [Source 1] - [Why it's valuable]
- [Source 2] - [Why it's valuable]

### Expert Consultation

- [Type of expert needed]
- [Where to find them: professional orgs, university departments, etc.]

## Research Notes Template

**Fact**: [Verified information]
**Source**: [Where it came from]
**Reliability**: High / Medium / Low
**Relevance**: How it applies to your story
**Story Integration**: How to use it without info-dumping

## Red Flags to Watch For

- [Potential inaccuracy or myth about this topic]
- [Common misconceptions]
- [Dated information that may no longer be accurate]

## Cross-Reference Checklist

- [ ] Verified with at least 2 independent sources
- [ ] Checked publication date for currency
- [ ] Evaluated author credentials and bias
- [ ] Confirmed applicability to time period/context

Step 4: Fact-Checking Existing Content

When the user needs to verify already-written content:

1. Extract Claims: Identify all factual statements
2. Categorize: Sort by type (historical, scientific, cultural, etc.)
3. Verify Each: Check against reliable sources
4. Flag Issues: Mark inaccuracies, anachronisms, impossibilities
5. Suggest Corrections: Provide accurate alternatives

Present as:

# Fact-Check Report: [Chapter/Section]

## Claims Analyzed: [Number]

## Accurate: [X] ✓

## Inaccurate: [Y] ✗

## Unverifiable: [Z] ?

---

## Inaccurate Claims (Priority Fixes)

### Claim #1

**Text**: "[Quote from manuscript]"
**Location**: Chapter [X], paragraph [Y]
**Issue**: [What's wrong]
**Correct Information**: [Accurate version]
**Source**: [Where the correct info comes from]
**Suggested Revision**: "[Proposed text]"

---

## Anachronisms Detected

### Anachronism #1

**Text**: "[Quote]"
**Problem**: [Item/phrase/concept didn't exist in this time period]
**Appeared**: [When it actually became available/common]
**Period-Appropriate Alternative**: [What they would have used instead]

---

## Unverifiable Claims

### Claim #1

**Text**: "[Quote]"
**Issue**: Cannot find reliable source confirming this
**Recommendation**:

- Option 1: Find credible source
- Option 2: Frame as character belief, not fact
- Option 3: Revise or remove

---

## Accuracy Strengths

[What the author got right—positive reinforcement]

- ✓ Period-accurate clothing descriptions (Ch. 2)
- ✓ Correct use of historical events as backdrop (Ch. 5)

Step 5: Integrate Research into Narrative

Help authors use research without info-dumping:

Poor Integration (Info-Dump):

"The M1 Garand rifle, officially designated as United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1, is a .30-06 Springfield semi-automatic rifle that was the standard U.S. service rifle during World War II and the Korean War. It was designed by Canadian-American John Garand in 1928 and officially adopted in 1936."

Good Integration (Woven In):

"Miller checked his M1 Garand, the rifle's solid weight familiar in his hands after two years of carrying it across Europe. The distinctive 'ping' as it ejected the empty clip had saved his life more than once—enemy soldiers had learned to wait for that sound before attacking."

Techniques for Integration:

1. Character Knowledge: Filter facts through what the character would know
2. Sensory Details: Use research to add authentic textures, smells, sounds
3. Dialogue: Let characters naturally discuss relevant details
4. Contrast: Show differences between character expectations and reality
5. Conflict: Use factual constraints to create problems characters must solve

Step 6: Create Research Bibliography

Maintain organized source tracking:

# Research Bibliography: [Book Title]

## [Topic Category 1]

### [Subtopic]

1. **Source Title**: [Full citation]
   - **Author**: [Name]
   - **Type**: Book / Article / Interview / Website
   - **Publication**: [Date]
   - **Key Information Used**: [Brief summary]
   - **Reliability**: High / Medium / Low
   - **Story Chapters**: Used in Ch. [X, Y, Z]

---

## Experts Consulted

### [Expert Name]

- **Credentials**: [Title, affiliation]
- **Consultation Date**: [Date]
- **Topic**: [What you discussed]
- **Key Insights**: [Summary]
- **Follow-Up Needed**: Yes/No

---

## To Research Further

- [ ] [Topic 1] - Needed for Chapter [X]
- [ ] [Topic 2] - Verify before final draft

Examples

Example 1: Historical Fiction Research

User: "I'm writing a novel set in 1920s Paris. My protagonist is an American woman studying art. What do I need to research?"

Output:

# Research Brief: 1920s Paris - American Female Art Student

## Research Question

What was daily life like for American women studying art in Paris during the 1920s, and what historical details would make this setting authentic?

## Background Context

Your protagonist will interact with the art world, navigate daily life as a foreigner, and experience the cultural atmosphere of the era. Readers of historical fiction expect period-accurate details that bring the setting to life.

## Key Areas to Investigate

### 1. Art Education in 1920s Paris

- Which art schools accepted women? (Académie Julian, Académie de la Grande Chaumière)
- Tuition costs and living expenses
- Teaching methods and curriculum
- Famous instructors of the p