---
name: source-grounded-content-brief
description: Turn a loose content request and supplied source material into a writing brief with a defined reader, supported message and visible open questions. Use before drafting a page, article, newsletter story or social post.
---

# Source-grounded content brief

Turn an assignment into a brief someone else can write from. If the user asks for a finished draft as well, keep the brief proportionate and continue into the requested draft.

## Establish the assignment

Identify the reader, the situation that brings them to the content, the decision or action the piece should support, and the requested format. Use supplied research when available. Distinguish an observed reader need from a proposed one. Ask only for missing information that changes the direction; otherwise make a provisional brief with visible open questions.

## Build the brief

Include the main message, the questions the content must answer, useful source material, boundaries, next action, and delivery requirements. Follow the user's existing template if provided. Keep the main message narrow enough for the format. Do not turn every assignment into a campaign or impose a word count when the user has not chosen one.

Attach each factual claim to its source location, such as a page, paragraph, slide or supplied note. A source may describe a company's claim without proving it. Keep that distinction. Missing prices, results, deadlines, permissions and product capabilities remain open questions; do not fill them with plausible numbers or generic promises.

Suggest an outline only when it helps the writer. Acceptance checks should describe this deliverable: questions answered, evidence included, terms explained and a valid next step. Avoid checks such as “engaging” without explaining what would make the piece useful.

## Deliver

Return the usable brief first, then a short list of unresolved decisions with an owner when known. Mark assumptions as provisional. Respect source permissions and do not copy confidential source material into public examples. Drafting does not authorize publishing or contacting people.

Before finishing, check that every proposed claim has evidence or is clearly marked for confirmation, the next action is actually available, and the brief matches the user's scope.