Problem Solution Essay

Pathway III
 What is it?
• Describe a problem
• Argue why this is a problem.
– Have you heard of First World Problems?
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXCsRlpbqP
M
• Offer Different Solutions (three or more)
• Evaluate/Refute/Argue which solution is the
best.
 Structure
• Just like ANY OTHER ESSAY:
• Introduction
• Body Paragraphs
• Conclusion
 Introduction
• State the problem.
– Why is it a problem/an important problem?
– Why does it need to be solved?
– If unknown -> explain; if known -> explain details
• Intro Ideas
– Anecdote; scenario; shocking fact
• Thesis: propose a solution
• State clearly in ½ sentences
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3cGfrExozQ
&t=10
 Body Paragraphs
• Explain clearly, using details.
• Give evidence: expert opinion; examples;
statistics; studies; logical argument.
• Can stand up to possible objections.
• Refute objections logically with
arguments/evidence.
• One or two of your solutions have to be strong
and solve the problem successfully and resist
refutation.
 Structure
Body Paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 2 Body Paragraph 3

Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3

Briefly object it Briefly Object it Briefly Object it
Medium Weak STRONG

Solution 1 + Refute Both Solutions Extra evidence to counter

Solution 2 (2 paragraphs) the refutation
(2 paragraphs) Solutions 1 & 2 WIN
(2 paragraphs)
 Conclusion
• Rewrite thesis (Not copy-paste)
• Show what should happen.
• Describe how the situation will change using
your proposal. (If…)
• End your stories from the introduction here.
• More convincing facts/statistics
• DO NOT ADD NEW UNEXPLORED IDEAS
 Getting Started
• What problem will your essay address? Why did you
choose to focus on this particular problem?
• Who is affected by the problem and how are they
affected?
• Which of the effects of the problem are the most
common? Which ones are the most serious?
• What are the possible causes of the problem? Which
are the immediate causes and which are the remote
ones? Are any of the causes unchangeable?
• What solutions have been proposed or tried in the
past? If they were unsuccessful, why? If they were
successful, why?
• What are the most important reasons for solving this
problem?
 Some questions to consider:
• What needs to be done
• How it needs to be done
• Why it will work
• Why it is feasible and reasonable as a solution
• Why it is cost-effective
• Why this solution is better than other
solutions
 Writing Tips – Take Notes
• Use Varying Sentences:
• http://virginialynne.hubpages.com/hub/Word
s-to-Use-in-Starting-Sentences