Stasis Questions for Developing an Argument
FACTS What are the basic facts? Are the sources for the facts reliable? What facts are not known that might be needed? What is the problem or issue? What underlying beliefs lead to seeing this phenomenon as a problem? What is the background for this problem or issue? How and when did it begin? What changed at that time? What caused or provoked that change? What can be done about this now? This issue directly or indirectly affects whom or what? DEFINITION What are the terms and definitions of those terms that are important to this issue? Who views this as a problem and who does not believe it to be a problem? Who or what has influence or power related to this issue? How is this influence defining the terms of this issue? What type of problem is it? What problems are similar to this one? How have those similar problems been resolved? What other problems are connected to this one? CRITERIA What are the criteria or qualities for judging the outcome of this problem or issue? Who or what has influenced the criteria for judgment? What are the popular beliefs or cultural assumptions affecting these judgments? What are the assumptions that different views have in common? What are the potential positive outcomes? In what ways will people, places, or things be adversely affected? What are the costs involved? What might happen if nothing is done? POLICY Who or what should make the policies or decisions about this problem or issue? Whose help should be requested? Whose or what influences should be considered? What change in rules or policies should be achieved? What should be done now and in the future? What steps need to happen and in what order? What outcomes need to happen on the local and global levels? Dr. Nancy Mack Multigenre Research Projects: Multifaceted, Multipurpose Writing Assignments Teachers College Press