Social Studies 11

How to Explore an Issue Systematically

Index

How to Explore an Issue Systematically

- 5 Steps for Exploring and Issue

- Exploring from Where You Are

To explore issues well, you need a system-a set of steps. Carefully read these "5 Steps for Exploring an Issue" from time to time. They are central to the course. The skills you learn in the course are all related to these steps.

5 Steps for Exploring an Issue

1. Focus
   
   • Define the issue, problem, or topic.
     
   • Define the audience and purpose for your response.
     
   • Decide what form your response will take.
     
   • List questions you will need to answer in order to respond effectively.
     
   • Form hypotheses on the basis of what you now know.

   
   

2. Find.
   
   • Identify sources-places where you might find the facts, examples,
     and opinions to help you answer your questions.
     
   • Gather information from as many sources as you can.
     
   • Gather information from different viewpoints.
     
     
3. Filter.
   
   • Reject any unreliable information.
     
   • Identify the remaining information that best answers your questions.
     
   • Find more information if some of your questions aren't answered.
     
   • Revise your hypothesis if the information doesn't support it.
     
     
4. Conclude.
   
   • Draw conclusions, form opinions, and make judgments.
     
   • Use the facts, examples, and opinions that best support your conclusions.
     
     
5. Present.
   
   • Present your response in a way that will make your audience likely to:
     
   • Understand your purpose and main ideas.
     
   • Know you have provided reliable facts, examples, and opinions.
     
   • Agree with your conclusions.