Political framing

Framing is about defining the language of debate,

negotiation, and resolutions
o Political framing is about presenting frames that
support specific PAINT solutions
o Topic frameworks only share the PAINT solution
as a fact
o Political framing appeals to emotion
HERO structure

Victim (hook)
Identify whom the topic is negatively affecting
Villain (point)
Identify who is causing the problems behind the
topic
Hero (action)
Present your solution and/or call to action for
what the audience needs to do to overcome the
villain

Obama Structure

Highlight a divide (hook)

o Identify two or more sides that are in conflict
Embody the divide (point)
o Claim that you understand both sides, that you or
your country experience both sides
Transcend the divide (action)
o Show the way forward through your solutions,
concrete actions, and hope

Possible solutions

Outline

Issues
Break down topic into priority issues
Different reasons why topic is problem
Causes, effects, or past actions that arent
working
Solutions

 Research existing solutions and assess their

effectiveness
Programs
Plan for achieving a long-term goal through
a series of activities, events, and other
actions
Need support, technology, resources
Whats the name and goal?
Who is impacted?
Who is responsible
Events
Should there be more negotiations, conferences,
or meetings to address the issue
What would be the point of these meetings?
When would they take place?
Agreements
How can existing resolutions be strengthened?
How can we convince other people to join these
resolutions
Reports
How can we use reports to better monitor or
enforce solutions

Develop or Create

Expand strengths and fix weaknesses of

existing solutions or create a new
solution
o Develop
Could the program work in other
communities?
Could the program impact more people or
places if it had more funding, resources, or
support?
Could the program use new technology?
o Create
Need funding, support, technology, resources
Whats the name and goal?
Who is impacted?
Who is responsible

 Funding?