Facts, rule, and issue
Identify what is known, the assumed rule, and the issue to resolve.
Prepared for Polaris · Original introductory content · Read & practice
Understand the idea
Legal reasoning begins with careful reading. A fact describes something that happened and can be checked; interpretation adds meaning. “The request arrived at five” differs from “the sender deliberately delayed it.” The latter needs further evidence.
After organizing facts, identify the rule and issue. Every rule in this introduction is invented for teaching, not a statement of current law. Actual rules, their sources, and procedures vary by place and time, so this exercise cannot establish real rights or obligations.
The idea in an example
Hypothetical rule: requests received before 5 p.m. are accepted. A request arrives at 4:55. The issue is whether it was received before the deadline. On these facts, yes, assuming the time and receipt method are established.
Test the idea. Understand why.
Put it in your own words.
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