Alright kiddo, let's talk about IRAC – a helpful tool for figuring out how to solve problems like a lawyer!
IRAC stands for Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion. It's a method for breaking down a problem or situation into smaller, easier-to-understand pieces.
First, we start with the Issue. This is the problem we need to solve. For example, let's say we're trying to figure out if it's okay for us to eat a piece of cake before dinner.
Next, we move on to the Rule. The Rule is like a set of instructions or guidelines that tell us what we should do in situations like this. In our cake example, the Rule might be that we should always eat our vegetables before having dessert.
Then, we get to the Application. This is where we apply the Rule to our specific situation, and try to figure out if it applies to us. So, using our Rule of eating vegetables before dessert, we would need to ask ourselves if we've already eaten enough vegetables to deserve a piece of cake.
Finally, we have the Conclusion. This is where we decide what we should do based on the Issue, Rule, and Application. In our cake example, if we haven't eaten enough vegetables yet, we might decide it's best to wait until after dinner to enjoy our treat.
So, that's IRAC – a way to break down complicated problems into manageable steps. It helps us think like a lawyer, and make smart decisions based on rules and guidelines.