Forensic language is not a style choice. It is an evidentiary standard.
The words an investigative journalist uses to characterise a source, describe an event, or attribute a claim determine whether their work holds up under legal scrutiny, editorial challenge, or cross-examination. "Allegedly" and "reportedly" are not interchangeable. "Sources say" is not a confidence level. "Confirmed" requires a definition of what confirmation actually means.
LST-001 is the Signal & Shadow neutral language reference card — covering the mandatory substitution table, confidence level language, AP Style key rules, and source attribution standards that apply to every output published under the Signal & Shadow framework. Keep it open while you work. Run it against every draft before publication.
This reference card is for Signal subscribers.
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