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Module 4 Problem Solution Text PDF
Module 4 Problem Solution Text PDF
VILLENAS 1
Academic Writing
Dr. Benilda N. Villenas
General-specific texts
Problem-to-solution texts
1. Situation
2. Problem
3. Solution
4. Evaluation
Problem-solution texts use the review approach to raise a question about the current
state of knowledge and to offer a possible or part answer.
“Classic” problem-solution texts are usually more technical in nature and may describe
procedures and processes.
Passive Voice
Note that imperative forms are used to indicate the necessary steps. They form a set of
instructions.
However, if we are interested not in providing guidance for actually doing a particular
task but in explaining how something is done – as in a process – we would more likely
write:
First, the three most common strains of flu virus are identified. These strains are then separately
grown and harvested. The harvested virus is purified and inactivated. Finally, the inactive virus strains
are blended together with a carrier fluid and dispensed into vials.
Notice that each sentence now refers to a particular stage in the process:
◦ The identification stage
◦ The preparation stage
◦ The dispensing stage
Look at the effect when it’s converted into the active voice:
The technician identifies the virus strains in the lab. The technician separately grows and
harvests the virus. The technician purifies and inactivates the virus. The technician blends the
inactive virus strains together with a carrier fluid and dispenses them into vials.
The focus on the stage is lost and the emphasis shifts to the agent (the person doing the steps).
Of course, there may be some occasions when the different agents are an important
part of different steps in the process.
Technician A identifies the virus strains in the lab. Technician B separately grows and harvests
the virus. Technician C purifies and inactivates the virus. Technician D blends the inactive virus strains
together with a carrier fluid and dispenses them into vials.
But this looks more like a job specification or duty roster than a process description.
PROBLEM, PROCESS AND SOLUTION Dr. BENILDA N. VILLENAS 3
First, the three most common strains of flu virus are identified by technician A. These strains are
then separately grown and harvested by technician B. The harvested virus is purified and inactivated by
technician C. Finally, the inactive virus strains are blended together with a carrier fluid and dispensed
into vials by technician D.
Examples:
Examples:
Example:
These strains are then separately grown and harvested. The harvested virus is purified and
inactivated. Finally, the inactive virus strains are blended together with a carrier fluid and
dispensed into vials.
Some care needs to be taken when putting verbs together because it can sometimes lead
to an unfortunate ambiguity.
Examples:
In addition to linked passives, good flow is also achieved through use of several time
adverbials that help establish the sequence of events – once, first, next, then, and finally.
Participles
Flow of ideas can be maintained by taking the –ed participle in the passive construction
and using it as an adjective.
First, the three most common strains of flu virus are identified. These strains are then
separately grown and harvested. The harvested virus is purified and inactivated. Finally, the
now inactivated virus strains are blended together with a carrier fluid and dispensed into vials.
By changing harvest and inactivate into their adjectival forms, the writer establishes a
strong connection between the sentences and indicates a newly acquired characteristic of
the virus. As a result of the steps in the process, the virus can be described as harvested,
inactivated, or even purified.
We have emphasized the use of passive voice in process descriptions as they concentrate
on processes that involve human action. However, there are many natural processes that
take place outside of direct human intervention. In such cases, active voice is often used, or
there may be a mix between active and passive, depending on the process.
If a process description employs verbs that indicate a change of state, such as expand,
rise, cool, and form, active voice will also be used.
Examples:
In order to help reader understand a problem and/or a solution, there may be a need to
use expressions to highlight causes and effects.
Examples:
An increase in demand is likely to cause a rise in prices.
Increases in demand usually lead to price increases.
Increases in price are often caused by increases in demand.
PROBLEM, PROCESS AND SOLUTION Dr. BENILDA N. VILLENAS 5
The magma flows into the pores of the rocks; as a result, the rocks rupture.
The magma flows into the pores of the rocks, thus causing them to rupture.
A current is sent through the material. As a result, the electrons are polarized.
A current is sent through the material, polarizing the electrons.
Sometimes writers also use a preliminary subordinate clause to set the scene for the
process.
When the ABS controller senses that a wheel is about to lock up, it automatically
changes the pressure in the brake lines of the car. As a result, maximum brake performance
is achieved.
When the ABS controller senses that a wheel is about to lock up, it automatically
changes the pressure in the car’s brake lines to prevent the lockup, (thus) resulting in
maximum brake performance.
Solution: Prices rise, thus increasing earnings that can then be reinvented
in the enterprise.
Example:
It is not clear, however, whether such high percentages for English provide an accurate picture
of languages chosen for publication by researchers around the world.
Until such time, nonnative speakers of English will remain uncertain about how effective
their publications are in their own languages.
In both examples, the writer used indirect questions rather than direct questions.
Indirect questions follow the standard word order (the subject followed by the verb).
They do not require that the subject and the verb be inverted, as in a direct question. Indirect
questions also end with a period rather than a question mark.
Example:
The main difficulty in using indirect questions involves remembering that the subject
and verb should not be inverted in an indirect question. Both research and experience suggest that
not inverting is relatively late.
Presumably, the use of a “question word” may automatically trigger the inversion. As a
result, even native speakers may incorrectly produce
Indirect questions can be a way to introduce or discuss a problem, but direct questions
may be possible.
But keep in mind that the use of direct questions should be limited in academic writing.
Examples:
One interesting solution to this problem is now being tested in the village of Chungungo, a
village of 300.
One approach currently under study involves transplanting healthy coral into a bleached reef.
Solutions to this problem are now widely discussed. One remedy is to…
There are two possible ways of handling this problem. The first… The second…
Several options are available to address this obstacle. However, the best one seems to be…
Recently, researchers have made significant progress in overcoming this difficulty by…
Reference:
Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2004). Academic writing for graduate students. Essential tasks and skills
(2nd ed.) USA: The University of Michigan Press.
PROBLEM, PROCESS AND SOLUTION Dr. BENILDA N. VILLENAS 8
Exercise 1. Find a single adverb to replace the phrase in italics and then place the adverb in
midposition.
Example: The routines for the show must be done with skill.
The routines for the show must be skillfully done.
2. Part II of this paper describes in only a couple of paragraphs the laws of the U.S. that
pertain to agricultural biotechnology.
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4. This study revealed that American and Japanese thresholds for sweetness and saltiness
did not differ a lot.
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5. As a rule, pulsed semiconductor lasers do not use the broad gain bandwidth to full
advantage in the generation of subpicosecond pulses.
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7. The water supply lines must be inspected now and then to prevent blockages.
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8. Although many elaborations of this model have been developed over the years, to a
considerable extent all of them have followed the traditional specification in presupposing
that an individual will choose to make a tax report.
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PROBLEM, PROCESS AND SOLUTION Dr. BENILDA N. VILLENAS 9
2. Current studies provide little information on how this policy being implemented in
rural areas.
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3. We need to know what precautions being taken to prevent the spread of disease.
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4. There is some question as to whether the current crisis can eventually overcome.
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5. It has not been determined how these policies likely to affect small businesses.
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7. Another issue raised by this study is whether and to what extent poverty and climate
linked.
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8. The process uses the CPU power it needs, depending on what it doing and depending
on what other processes running.
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Exercise 3. Expand the following sentences, making them more informative by replacing the
noun phrase with one or more verb phrases:
10. The deterioration of the quality of education can be prevented by instituting changes.
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PROBLEM, PROCESS AND SOLUTION Dr. BENILDA N. VILLENAS 11
Exercise 4. Improve the flow of ideas for the following process descriptions by adding a
time adverbial, linking passives, or using an –ed participle.
Example: The plants are selected. The plants are planted at a particular site based on the
type of metals present and other site conditions.
The plants are selected and planted at a particular site based on the type of
metals present and other site conditions.
2. Wine making
The grapes are harvested. The grapes are crushed to release the pulp and seeds. The
grapes are fermented for three weeks.
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3. Tempering glass
The glass is cut to size. It is inspected to determine if it has any imperfections. The glass
is heated to over 600◦C. The glass is cooled in a step known as quenching.
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5. Geyser eruption
Water from rain or melted snow percolates into the ground through cracks. The water is
heated by the underlying rocks to temperatures well above the boiling point. The water
does not boil. It becomes superheated. It also becomes pressurized. The water bursts out
of the ground in an explosive steam eruption.
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PROBLEM, PROCESS AND SOLUTION Dr. BENILDA N. VILLENAS 12
Exercise 5. Combine the ideas presented in each of the following statements, using an –ing
clause of result.
Example: A current is sent through the material. As a result, the electrons are polarized.
A current is sent through the material, polarizing the electrons.
2. The researcher supposedly manipulated the data. As a result, an apparent effect was
created where none existed.
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3. The computer viruses infect, executable files; as a consequence, the host computer is
damaged when the executable is run.
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4. The plants extract the nickel and zinc; hence, the soil is left uncontaminated.
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5. Rainfall levels plummeted. A slow, but steady, loss of grasses occurred. As a result, the
region was transformed into a desert.
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PROBLEM, PROCESS AND SOLUTION Dr. BENILDA N. VILLENAS 13
B. Writing Task
Write your own problem-solution text that includes both a process description and a
definition, or write a review of the current state of knowledge in your field, raising a
question about the current state of knowledge and offering a possible answer.