Problem/Solution frame as a variation of the Goal frame for history text¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 1 study (1 theoretical), q1 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The Problem/Solution frame arises from a variation of the Goal frame: the Problem is an event, condition, or series of events or conditions resulting in a state that is an obstacle to the attainment of the Goal. The Problem prompts a Solution taking the form of the Plan, Action, and Outcome of the Goal frame, and the Outcome either solves or fails to solve the Problem. The authors illustrate it with textbook accounts of the voyages of discovery and extend it to interactions between two parties, proposing a Compromise frame in which parties with incompatible Plans each give up and get part of what they want.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Text must answer five frame slot questions: the Goal, the Problem, the Plan for solving the Problem, the Action taken, and the Outcome with respect to the Goal

Constraints¶

• The authors speculate about a War frame but state they have not studied the matter sufficiently to propose one

Target Learners¶

• elementary and secondary students reading history and social studies textbooks

Target Learning Objectives¶

• comprehending historical explanations structured around problems and solutions

Claims¶

• Narrative memory is superior when content follows stereotypical story grammar structure, and goal information is critical to comprehension [+M]
• Fifth-grade history textbook excerpts largely fail to answer the frame slot questions, presenting detailed action but missing main ideas [+W]

Related Theories¶

• Goal frame for historical explanations: Goal, Plan, Action, Outcome slots
• Goal-Action-Outcome frame: explanations of many historical events have a generic structure of goal, action, and outcome

Examples¶

• Make frame slot content and relationships explicit in historical explanations, especially for younger readers
• Frame-aided writing procedure for authors of historical explanations
• Teach students to use frame slot questions as a reading, studying, and self-monitoring tool

Key Sources¶

• Armbruster, B. B., & Anderson, T. H. (1982). Structures for Explanations in History Textbooks or So What If Governor Stanford Missed the Spike and Hit the Rail? (Technical Report No. 252). https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED218595