Practical guide

How to build a source-linked brief

Place descriptive links beside the supported claim and retain a complete source section. Use canonical originals, distinguish primary evidence from commentary, and make the list of what Scottie read available.[1][2]

Why this gets difficult

A source-linked brief can still be hard to trust when links are vague, repeated at the bottom, or detached from the specific claim they are meant to support.[1][2]

A practical way through

  1. Resolve canonical URLs and source identity before drafting the brief.[1][2]
  2. Map each factual field or claim to one or more source records you checked.[1][2]
  3. Render concise inline references plus a collapsed evidence section with titles.[1][2]
  4. Check every URL, anchor, and citation path before publication.[1][2]

An example

The situation: A brief states a rule change and price change, then lists five undifferentiated sources at the bottom.[1][2]

What changes: The rule claim links to the official notice, the price links to the first-party pricing page, and interpretation links to its named author.[1][2]

What you get: The reader can verify the exact statement without guessing which source was intended.[1][2]

What to watch for

  • Inline citations can create visual noise if the brief makes too many low-value claims.[1][2]
  • Links can break or sources can change; maintenance reports must remain separate from the public reading experience.[1][2]

Sources worth keeping

  • Canonical originals and primary documents.[1][2]
  • Named commentary only where interpretation adds value.[1][2]
  • A maintained citation map from rendered factual fields to source records.[1][2]

How Scottie helps

Scottie attaches links from the sources it read, keeps the full reading list available, and presents the concise edition without exposing private system details.[3]

Related reading

Sources and official links

One brief, your sources

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