Work the Record · Step 08

Classify What Happened

Describe the institution’s response before interpreting it.

Why this step exists

A direct answer is different from a referral. A denial is different from no responsive records. A settlement is different from an admission. Classification prevents Seeds of Vice from turning every unfavorable answer into the same conclusion.

How to do it

  1. Preserve the response exactly before writing commentary.
  2. Decide whether it is a direct answer, partial answer, referral, document production, denial, no responsive records, nonresponsive reply, correction, policy change, or disputed answer.
  3. Record what part of the original question was answered and what remains open.
  4. Do not upgrade a partial answer into a complete answer because it supports your argument.
  5. Open a new inquiry if the response creates a new independent question.

What it looks like when done correctly

Classification: Partial Answer. The agency identified the applicable regulation but did not answer whether an unpublished internal directive also governs the practice. The regulation is added to Sources; the unanswered directive question remains open.

What goes wrong

Labeling any reply that disagrees with Seeds of Vice as “nonresponsive,” or calling a referral a denial because the first office did not possess the records.

Do not move on until you have this

A response classification plus two sentences: what was answered and what remains unresolved.

If you get stuck on this step, use the Work the record route on the Seeds of Vice contact page. Send the smallest useful source or question you have. Seeds of Vice can help identify the authority, narrow the question, or classify what came back.

Ask for help with this step

Return to the complete Work the Record method