# Write a correction or clarification for a published story

A clear, proportionate correction notice, the fixed copy, and an internal note on how the error happened.

- Topic: Writing & Editing
- Framework: RTF
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Writing, Write, Rewrite & Edit, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/write-a-correction-or-clarification-for-a-published-story

## Prompt

```text
Help me correct an error in a story we already published.

**Original published text:** [PASTE THE WRONG PASSAGE, headline, or caption]
**What is actually correct, and how we know:** [THE CORRECT FACT and its source]
**Where it appeared:** [web, print, newsletter, social posts, syndication partners]
**Who raised it:** [reader, subject, internal - and any complaint wording]
**Our corrections policy:** [PASTE OR SUMMARIZE, e.g. "note at the foot of the article, dated"]

First decide: is this a correction (a factual error), a clarification (accurate but misleading or unclear), or an editor's note (a larger problem with sourcing or fairness)? Explain your choice.

Then write:
1. The corrected passage for the article.
2. The correction notice: state what was wrong and what is right, briefly and plainly. Do not repeat a damaging false claim in detail, do not bury the fix, and do not over-apologize or blame the reader.
3. Versions for each place it ran (print corrections column, a reply or update for social posts, a note to syndication partners).
4. A short reply to the person who raised it.
5. An internal note: how the error got through, and one change to the editing process that would catch it next time.

If the error involves an allegation about a person or a legal risk, flag it for our lawyer before publishing the correction. Use only the facts I give you; mark gaps [CONFIRM].
```

## What to fill in

- PASTE THE WRONG PASSAGE, headline, or caption
- THE CORRECT FACT and its source
- web, print, newsletter, social posts, syndication partners
- reader, subject, internal - and any complaint wording
- CONFIRM

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.