Note Interrogation

Use this before responding to a strategy note, especially when the first reaction is an objection, analogy, or "isn't this just X?"

The goal is not to summarize for skimmers. The goal is to make the reader reconstruct the argument before they comment on it.

Rule

Do not critique the note until you can answer the questions below from the note itself.

Questions

1. Locate the claim

1. What is the note's central claim in one sentence?
2. What problem is the note saying exists?
3. What distinction does the note rely on?
4. What is the note explicitly not claiming?