In each case that you are examining, the Project LEGAL method is to separate the case into the competing parties, the actions that each of the parties took; the values which the actions of each of the parties support; and the legal bases for each of the parties' actions.
Every case study raises at least one problem or issue which the courts must resolve (decide).
Now that you have identified the facts for both sides of the
case, you will take some of those elements and put them together to form
the issue question.
1) Issues should be structured as questions which can be answered
clearly by a "yes" or "no". You don't begin questions with "why", "when",
"how", "who" or "when"; instead, you use verbs such as "does", "can", or "is".
2) Issue questions should seek to determine whether the actions, values
and legal bases of one side should prevail (win out) against the actions,
values, and legal bases of the other side. All three elements--actions,
values, legal bases,--need not be explicitly stated.
3) In entering the information to form the issue question remember that
the action must be in the form of a participle, while the values are
listed as nouns. Be sure to include all relevant amendments when filling
out the legal bases sections.
(This is a sample issue question for the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case.)
"Does requiring blacks to attend segregated schools (action of the state or school board) based on Kansas law, school board policy (and the 10th Amendment) (legal basis of the state or school board) violate the Brown family's right to equal protection (action or value) based on the 14th Amendment?" (legal basis)