Defining problems

Design (and your final project in this class) regularly requires you to explain problems through argumentation. Today we'll practice how to form these arguments.

Choose a partner and a problem

Anyone is fine this time.

Think of the problem in the world that bothers you both deeply, but is also a problem you have some expertise with.

Iteratively refine an argument that defines a problem (30 min)

1. Brainstorm, dissect, and structure the causality of the problem based on your best knowledge of the problem. Conduct secondary research on the web to find other people's characterization of a problem and evidence to support these characterizations.
2. In a text editor, devise a bulleted list of claims that specify the problem, going from broad to narrow, and ending with a design question. For example:
• Most humans find kitties cute. [Evidence...]
• Cute things make people smile. [Evidence...]
• Smiling makes people happy even when they're sad. [Evidence...]
• If there were a way humans could see kitties whenever they were sad, most humans could be happy [Evidence...]
• How can we empower humans to see kitties whenever they want?
3. Take the time to draft your argument, read it, revise it, and repeat until you feel like it's logical, persuasive, and valid.
4. When you're ready for feedback, find another pair to get feedback from:
• Was the argument logical? Or did some of the statements not follow logically?
• Do you believe the claims the argument was making?
• Does the argument convince you that the problem is real and exists?
• Does the argument convey the causality behind the problem?
5. Take the feedback you received, return to your seat, and improve the argument. When you think you're ready again, return to step 4 above.

Pitch (30 min)

Let's see how many we can hear before class ends!

Credit (5 min)

Submit your final argument through Canvas (activity 2.3).