Work the Record · Step 03

Find the Controlling Source

Know what the record already proves before asking anyone to explain it.

Why this step exists

An institution should not be allowed to answer a legal or policy question with vague reassurance when the governing text exists. Starting with the strongest source lets the inquiry focus on what is actually unresolved.

How to do it

  1. Start with the text that creates the authority: statute, regulation, court opinion, formal rule, contract, or written institutional policy.
  2. Use official government or institutional copies whenever possible.
  3. Read enough surrounding text to understand scope, definitions, exceptions, and effective dates.
  4. Treat guidance, FAQs, press releases, and summaries as explanations, not substitutes for controlling text when controlling text exists.
  5. Save the source before sending the inquiry so the record does not depend on a webpage remaining unchanged.

What it looks like when done correctly

The record contains the exact rule text, its citation, issuing institution, effective date, direct source URL, and the specific passage relevant to the question. A guidance document is stored separately and labeled as guidance rather than law.

What goes wrong

Quoting a news article, social post, advocacy page, or search-result summary as though it were the governing rule when the actual statute or regulation is available.

Do not move on until you have this

A source packet containing the strongest controlling text, citation, direct link, relevant passage, date accessed, and any secondary guidance kept separately.

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