Toolkits · Free

Source Log Template (Free)

Copy/paste workflow to keep claims and evidence separate, track citations, and publish with discipline. Education only — not legal advice.

What this is (and what it is not)

  • For: creators who want a clean, repeatable sourcing workflow (source IDs, dates, limits, correction-ready notes).
  • Not for: case handling, case review, outcome services, or emergency/legal guidance.
  • Privacy-first: don’t put sensitive personal data into public drafts or forms.

Why this exists

Credibility usually fails because the workflow fails: sources get scattered, links lose context, and claims expand beyond what the evidence supports. This template forces a simple discipline: Claim → Evidence → Limits → Correction path.

Common failure modes (quick scan)

  • Writing conclusions first, then searching for “support” after.
  • No source IDs or access dates (links change; context disappears).
  • Mixing notes, interpretations, and evidence in one paragraph.
  • Publishing claims without stating limits (readers assume you proved more than you did).
  • Sharing raw material publicly that introduces privacy risk.
  • No corrections path (updates turn into silent edits or confusion).

Minimum standard checklist (5 minutes)

If you only do one thing: run this before publishing any claim set.

  • Each claim is a single sentence (not a paragraph).
  • Each claim links to at least one source (URL or file reference) with a Source ID.
  • Every source has a date accessed.
  • You wrote one “Limits” line per claim (what you cannot prove).
  • You separated evidence from interpretation (label your interpretation explicitly).
  • You included a privacy note (what should not be public).
  • You included a correction path (how updates will be noted).

Copy template (must-keep)

Paste into Notes / Google Docs / Notion.
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Upgrade note: the Pro version includes formatted printable sheets and a cleaner pack for repeated use. If you publish regularly, Pro is the “save time every week” option.

Worked example (before → after)

Before (too vague / over-claimed):

“They changed the policy and lied about it. I saw messages and everyone knows it.”

After (publishable structure):

  • Claim 1: “A policy change was communicated to staff.”
  • Evidence: S-001 (summary of message content; stored privately), S-002 (public web page; date accessed).
  • Limits: “I cannot confirm who approved the change or the internal timeline.”
  • Publishing note: “Details are summarized to reduce privacy risk; originals retained privately.”
  • Correction path: “If the public page changes, I will note the date and what changed.”

Why this matters:

  • Readers can see what is supported, and what is not.
  • “Limits” prevents accidental over-claiming.
  • Privacy-first: you can keep sensitive originals private.

Upgrade path (choose the right next step)

  • Stay free: use this page as your starter template when you publish occasionally.
  • Upgrade to Pro ($19): if you publish repeatedly and want formatted, printable, repeat-use sheets. See Toolkits
  • Take Training ($79): if you want habit-building discipline (claims, limits, correction-ready writing). See Training

Reminder: purchases are for general education materials. They do not buy coverage, influence, or outcomes.

FAQ

Is this legal advice?

No. Education only — not legal advice.

Will WitnessBC verify my sources or review my case?

No. No case handling, no case review, and no outcome services.

What should go in “Limits”?

One sentence: what you cannot confirm or prove (missing context, incomplete record, uncertainty). It prevents over-claiming.

Do I have to publish all my sources?

No. Keep sensitive originals private. You can publish defensible summaries and reference that records exist without exposing identifiers.

What does “correction path” mean?

A simple note: if something changes or you learn more, you will add a dated correction/update rather than silently rewriting history.

Does buying a toolkit buy coverage or influence?

No. Support does not buy coverage or outcomes.

Internal links (pick by intent)

Boundaries: Education only. Not legal advice. No case handling or outcome services. Do not submit confidential data. Support does not buy coverage or outcomes.