This is a general guardrail thinking checklists for careful, non-overreaching writing. It’s not meant to be comprehensive and you don’t need to apply all.

  1. Claim Weight Check

Ask: “If this sentences is taken seriously, what does it force me to believe next?”

  1. Scope Fence

Ask: “Did I just speak about this case, or all cases”

  1. Description vs Reality

Ask: “Am I describing how we speak, or what exists?”

  1. Reader Hostility Test

Ask: “How could this sentence be used against me?”

  1. Balance Signal

Ask: “Have I acknowledged what this position gains, not only what it costs?”

  1. Redundancy Test

Ask: “Is this repetition doing conceptual work, or just repeating?”

  1. Final Art Check

Ask: “Have I guarded the idea without strangling the voice?” Does it sound too mechanical, over qualified, lifeless?