Phase D—Component Propositions

Goal

"I have identified the premises and propositions that my project depends on, and can state counter-propositions. I have taken stock of the thinking and research I need to do to counter those counter-propositions or to revise my own propositions."

Background

You may have clarified the direction of your project (Phase C) and started getting a handle on what others have written and done (Phase B), but that does not prevent you focusing on work that supports your views and avoiding opposing views. In this phase you systematically expose the many and varied gaps requiring further research if you are to be well prepared to influence your intended audience about your subject (Phase A).

Processes

Tease out the Propositions (Ps), Counter-Ps, C-C-Ps for the different aspects of your issue.
Identify areas exposed by the Ps, C-Ps, C-C-Ps where additional research is needed.
Present the Ps, C-Ps, C-C-Ps to others who probe and discuss your thinking.

• Note: This is a different level of argument from the overall argument of your writing or your GOSP, that is, how you Grab people's attention, Orient them, move them along in Steps, so that they appreciate the Position at each step that you've taken them to, and where you end up. Clarifying your Overall Argument or GOSP can come later; phase D instead concerns the various small and large premises and propositions that are implicated in your issue.

In session 5
If you identify the premises and propositions and then formulate counter-propositions, you can take stock of the thinking and additional research you need to do to counter those counter-propositions. You will also see you need revise your own propositions. Doing this exercise will open up your project, just as mapping and probing of maps does.
It is better to work on the goal of phase D now, rather than find yourself in a month or two, when time for new research is short, admitting that you needed to have paid more attention to alternatives to the premises and propositions that your project had been depending on.

Probe and discuss: To tease out your various premises and propositions, you usually have to ask someone else to play devil's advocate and probe your arguments. You have to be prepared for others not to see the issue in the same way as you do. It is possible to take the devil's advocate role for yourself: Take each branch or angle in your map and ask yourself whether there is any controversy there and whether anyone else would formulate it in a different way.

By session 6
Summarize for four to six different propositions: the proposition; counter-proposition; counter-counter proposition; and the areas that this process has exposed that need more research.

Follow up

Keep a list of the areas needing more research in front of you when you prepare your design for further research and engagement during Phase E.

All Phases | Next: Phase E--Design of (further) Research and Engagement