Describe and Define the Issue/Problem. In defining an issue, you take a position on the scope and seriousness of the problem and identify one or more causes. How do we know that the problem really exists? How does the problem manifest itself? What is the severity of the problem and who is affected most? Who and how many people are affected (supply metrics if available)? What are the various costs of the problem to individuals, communities and the nation? What are the cause or causes of the problem? What is the evidence to link the cause to the problem? If multiple causes exist, identify root and proximate causes. Focus your more in depth analysis on only one or two of the causes. Use numbers and comparisons to help readers understand the problem.
