Explaining an Issue:

• Introduce the subject

• Why is it a controversy?  What are the sides to the issue?

• What is the background or history related to the issue?  Help us understand it!

• Provide support, evidence and data showing that it is a problem.

• Who are the stakeholders?  In other words, who are the people who will benefit or be hurt by the change?  Or, who are the people interested in the cause?

For Government Policy Projects:

• What is the Government’s current policy on the issue?

• What is working or not working with the policy.  Be specific and provide data/stats/FACTS.

• Explain your resolution to the problem. Why are you proposing this solution to the problem or issue?  How will it impact the issue? What will change?

• What are other options for solving the problem?  (Acknowledge the other side.)

• Why is your solution better?

     (1) Provide evidence/data/statistics supporting your viewpoint.

     (2) Provide analysis of each piece of evidence. Explain why/how each piece of evidence/data/statistics supports your proposed solution.

i. What will change?

ii. What evidence do you have to show that it will be better?

iii. Who (researchers/public figures) supports your proposal? Why?

iv. Who does not support your proposal? Why?