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Citizens and civic groups
Public Question Worksheet
A five-step worksheet for turning broad frustration into one careful, answerable public question.
Observe – Identify – Document – Ask – Follow
Move from an experience toward a public record without making claims beyond the evidence.
- Observe what happened, where, when and to whom.
- Identify the institution, office, rule, budget, standard or decision.
- Document dates, sources, references and responses.
- Ask one specific question that matches the evidence.
- Follow through through a named route and return date.
Check the question
The final wording should be specific, answerable, restrained and safe to publish.
- Directed to a responsible institution or office.
- Does not claim a crime without proof.
- Protects private and identifying information.
- Can be answered with information or action.