Thinking through "The Problem"

Problem Statement Template
  
If you're having trouble writing a problem statement, try brainstorm ways to fill in the blanks. These are only guidelines; you don't need to use them, and you probably shouldn't use exactly this wording in your final project.
  
Stable Context

Describe unchanging facts about the topic/problem.
  
For many years, people have debated about ______________________.

or

____________________ has been controversial because

_____________________________________________________________. 

or

______________________ has dominated discussions of _____________.
  
Status Quo

State common but incorrect or incomplete assumptions.
  
Many people think ________________________________________________________.

or

At first glance, it may seem like ______________________________________________.
  
Destabilizing Moment

Describe something that reveals the status quo assumptions to be incomplete or inaccurate.
  
This initial perception fails to take into account __________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________. 

or 

This theory can't explain ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________. 

or

People have failed to notice, however, _________________________________________ 
_______________________________________________________________________. 
  
Consequences

Show readers why they should care: what bad things will happen if people continue to believe the status quo? what good things will happen once they stop believing it?
  
If we continue to believe _______________, we'll never understand the larger question of ______________________________________________________________________. 

or

Unless we change _____________________, we will continue to have trouble with ______________________________________________________________________. 

or

Once we understand ___________________, we'll begin to see the answer to the problem ______________________________________________________________________. 

or

By rethinking our approach to ___________________, we can fix ________________.
  
Resolution

Provide a better theory/explanation to replace the status quo. State your claim.
_______________________________________________________________________ 
_______________________________________________________________________. 
  
  
__________________________________________________________________________