Editorial Guidelines

Our Lens

Optimistic, not naive. Clear, not cute. We meet difficult topics, then look for evidence of progress, agency, and practical next steps.

Voice and Style

Clarity first. Short sentences. Active voice. Concrete nouns and strong verbs.

Paragraphs breathe. Three to five sentences per paragraph.

No clickbait. Headlines say what the story delivers.

What Belongs in a Lightwards Story

• A clear point the reader can state in one sentence
• The "why this matters" in the first third of the piece
• Links to sources readers can check
• Dates on every article and update notes when we change facts

Sourcing and Links

Link original reporting or primary data where possible. Summarize fairly. Quote sparingly. If a claim feels shaky, either qualify it, add a source, or cut it.

AI Use

AI helps with drafting, summarizing, and brainstorming. Humans choose the angle, edit for accuracy and tone, and keep pieces on topic. If AI introduces errors, we correct fast and log an update on the article.

Corrections and Updates

Factual errors: fix quickly and add an "Update" note with the date and what changed.
Major shifts to conclusions: add an "Editor's Note" at the top with the date and summary.

Questions about these guidelines: lightwards66@gmail.com

Last updated: November 2025