To write an effective step 2, students must understand the structure of an underlying problem.
Be sure to follow these tips about the parts of the underlying problem.
Condition Phrase
#1 Relate to the scene
Choose facts from the future scene or research that explain why you think the underlying problem you selected will have an impact on the scene. It should help you establish reasoning for your key verb phrase and purpose.
#2 Don’t repeat
Your condition phrase should be distinct from the rest of the underlying problem. The three pieces should logically connect but not repeat.
#3 Keep it short
Write a short phrase rather than a full challenge. You may accidentally include assumptions if you write a full challenge or too long of a lead in.
Key Verb Phrase
#4 One goal
Write a singular key verb phrase. Since each solution must address the key verb phrase, an action goal with multiple verbs or objects makes solution writing harder.
#5 Be clear
Choose your words carefully. Write a goal in the key verb phrase that is clear, measurable, and unambiguous. A vague key verb phrase can make it hard for your evaluators to understand your underlying problem. Avoid phrases such as “improve the quality of life” or “provide a successful life” because these have different meanings to different people.
#6 Choose a concrete goal
Your key verb phrase should be achievable. Identify a goal that can be measured. “How might we make citizens happy” may be a nice goal, but it would be very difficult to manage and measure.
Purpose
#7 One reason
Write a singular purpose. Make sure you only have one verb phrase with one modifier. The purpose “so that everyone is safe and healthy” would mean that you would need to address both safety and health in all of your solutions. This would make writing step 3 solutions very difficult.
#8 Use a transition
Most problem solvers begin their purpose with “so,” “so that,” or “in order to.” This makes it clear to evaluators where the purpose begins.
#9 No repeats
Your purpose should not repeat the condition phrase or the key verb phrase. It should be a distinct description of what the desired effect of your underlying problem is.
Parameters
#10 Remember your parameters
The topic is in the header of the future scene. Read closely to identify time (year) and place in the scene. You may write the parameters anywhere in your underlying problem.
