Problem /

Solution Essays
Written Communication IV
UCR – Atlantic Campus
M. Madriz
August 24th, 2022
A problem /
solution essay
• First identifies a specific problem
• Then offers a possible solution
or solutions
Some examples… • Violence in schools
• Discrimination based on
gender, age, ethnicity,
physical disabilities
• Health issues
• Homelessness
• Poverty
• Lack of formal education
• Unemployment
• Your examples…
Examples in Education

Difficulties to learn Student

Class size
a second language achievement

Student conduct Your examples…

Let’s analyze a model essay
Questions about the model
• What problem is introduced in the essay’s first
paragraph? Who is affected by the problem?
• What is the thesis statement of the essay?
• What type of behavior may be classified as bullying?
• Which sentence in the third paragraph begins a
transition between the problem and its possible
solutions?
• What general stpes have schools taken to help solve
the problem?
• What actions can individuals teachers take to help
solve the problem?
• What phrase or idea from the introductory paragraph
is repeated in the conclusion? Why?
 Essay
Organization
The Essay Paragraphs
• Introductory Paragraph
• Body Paragraphs:
• Explaining the problem
• Making a transition
• Explaining the solution
• Concluding Paragraph
Writing homework

• Choose a topic of your interest and

prepare an outline. Include:
• Thesis statement
• Topic sentences
• Key phrases for supporting
points.
• Complete Practice 1 on page 113.
• Study the grammar section on
pages 116-117.
• Complete Practice 2.
Grammar homework • Noun Clauses (pages 194-
201)
• Study the explanations
and examples of:
• That clauses
• Sentences
beginning with It
• Special Verb Tenses
in That Clauses
• Reported
Speech
• Subjunctive
Noun Clauses
• Complete Practice 1, 2 &
3.