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Guidelines

The Reprogram handbook: our standards, craft guides and how review works. Each guide takes under five minutes.

Standards · 4 of 11

Show the Strongest Case First

4 min readUpdated 12 Aug 2026Required for Analysis, Opinion, Case study, Rethink

When you argue against a view, set out the best version of it before you answer it. Readers trust an argument more when they can see you've understood the other side, and they learn more from two strong cases than from one strong case and a straw man.

The rule

If "This piece argues against a view" is on, the piece needs a Steelman block. The block must:

  1. State the view the way its best supporters would, in words they'd sign.
  2. Say who holds it: a school of thought, a group, or named experts.
  3. Give their strongest evidence or reason, sourced like any other claim.

Before · not acceptable

Some people still think rent control helps tenants, but the economics is settled: it always backfires.

  • Problem: "Some people" hides who holds the view
  • Problem: No reason or evidence for their side
  • Problem: "Always" and "settled" overstate the research
After · good
The strongest case for rent control

Tenant groups and some economists argue that caps protect sitting tenants from sudden rises, keeping families near their jobs and schools. A 2019 Stanford study of San Francisco found tenants covered by the 1994 expansion were more likely to stay at their address.1

  • Good: Names who holds the view
  • Good: Gives their best evidence, with a source
  • Good: Plain, fair wording a supporter would accept

1. Diamond, McQuade and Qian, “The Effects of Rent Control Expansion on Tenants, Landlords, and Inequality”, American Economic Review, 2019. The same study found landlords cut rental supply, which is why the piece can still argue against the policy.

Before · not acceptable

Only someone who never opened a textbook believes tariffs are paid by foreign countries.

After · good

Many people believe tariffs are paid by the exporting country. Studies of the 2018 US tariffs found the cost fell mostly on US importers and buyers.2

2. Amiti, Redding and Weinstein, “The Impact of the 2018 Tariffs on Prices and Welfare”, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 2019. Insults are flagged by the tone check and slurs block submission.

How the Editor Helps

Turn on the toggle in the Details tab and the editor adds a Steelman block for you. Submit stays locked until the block has text, a named holder and at least one source.

Details tabA Steelman block is required · 1 addedSteelman has textHolder namedNo source yet
The strongest case for reshoringSteelman · required

When one factory makes most of a vital part, a single fire, flood or blockade can empty shelves on three continents. Paying more for a second source is insurance, and some goods, like chips and medicines, are worth insuring.

Held by many security analysts and some trade economists.

Common Mistakes

Picking the weakest voiceQuoting the least careful supporter you can find. Answer the best one.
One line and doneA single sentence rarely carries a real argument. Aim for 60 to 150 words.
Rebutting inside the blockLet the case stand on its own. Your answer goes in the next section.

Check Yourself

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is a fair steelman of the case for a higher minimum wage?