Assignment: Research-Based Problem / Solution Essay
Assignment: Research-Based Problem / Solution Essay
best.
Your task is to write a 2-4 page typed research-based problem / solution essay. This
assignment requires you to identify an environmental/social issue that could be solved. YOU
WILL CHOOSE A TOPIC FROM THE TOPIC LIST TO RESEARCH!
In your essay, you need to describe the problem and convince your readers that the topic you
have selected really is a problem. Next, you need to propose a solution for it and argue for that
solution. In other words, your task is to convince your readers that the solution that you
propose is the best one. Your essay should also take counterarguments into account. In order
to produce a successful essay, you should follow the proposed essay outline provided on
pg. 4 of this document.
Essay Requirements:
Your formal essay should be 2-5 typed pages in length. This length does not
You should use a minimum of 3 quality sources and no more than 6 sources
to add credibility to your essay.
You must have a separate last page which will be your Works Cited page.
This paper must also have in-text citations corresponding to the sources on
the Works Cited page.
3. Rough Draft with evidence of revisions: This will be your rough draft with all revision /
editing marks included. This should be a complete rough draft reflective of your final product.
(Due on Thursday, February 18, 2016 / 1.5x in PS)
4. Final Research Paper with Works Cited page is due on Friday, February 26, 2016 by
1:10 P.M. (3.5x in PS)
**Please note that your daily participation, active engagement, research process, and
essay workshopping / revising will be included in your usual Active Academic
Engagement Grade (2.0x in PS).
RESEARCH SCHEDULE 2016:
February 8: Mrs. Lawrence comes to class to talk about evaluating quality sources and good
research tips.
February 9: Research Proposal DUE
February 10: Research Day #1 in Media Center
February 11:In-Class Work Day #1
February 15: Research Day #2 in Media Center
February 17-18: In-Class Work Day #2 and 3
February 19: Work Day #1 in Media Center
February 22:Work Day #2 in Media Center
February 26 (1:10 PM): Final Research Paper with Works Cited page due (research log and
rough draft should be on top)
**Tentative: Mrs. Atcheson will be available for extended help in the Media Center afterschool
from 3:00-4:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 23, 2016. You must have a ride ready for pickup by
4:00 P.M. if you choose to stay. Also, please inform your teacher if you plan to stay.
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C. Thesis Statement- Identify the problem and the proposed solution. For example, Schools
should require uniforms in order to minimize gang violence.
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Body Paragraphs (evidence of research & in-citations should be here)
A. Section / Paragraph(s) #1: The Problem
1. Define the nature of the problem.
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2. Establish its existence by explaining what has caused or led to the problem.
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3. Explain the extent of the problem.
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4. Explain its effects and why it is an issue that needs to be solved.
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5. Finally, warn readers about future effects if no solution is offered. Apply prior
experiences perhaps from other communities to this section.
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B. Section / Paragraph(s) #2: Common Ground
1. Show youve taken the concerns of others to heart. To do so, explain how
others view the problem and the concerns of those people when it comes to
trying to solve it.
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2. Address opposing arguments, and anticipate your audiences questions and
concerns.
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3. Establish criteria for a good solution that will appease everyone involved.
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C. Section / Paragraph(s) #3: Addressing Other Alternatives First
1. Show youve put some thought into your solution by acknowledging and
critiquing other possible solutions to your problem.
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2. Explain your reasons for rejecting them.
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3. Your goal: Make your solution appear to be the best solution.
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D. Section / Paragraph(s) #4: Plan of Action
1. Make sure its clear to your readers not only what youd do but how you would
do it.
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2. Clearly describe your solution so that your audience can imagine what it will be
like.
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3. Address the potential arguments your opposition might have to your solution.
Let your audience know why they would be satisfied with your approach.
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Conclusion Paragraph
A. Restate your problem and solution.
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B. Call to action- Encourage your audience to accept your views and join the cause.
Show your audience what your community / setting will be like if they do or do not
adopt your solution. Or ask them to take simple steps to bring about the change you
desire.
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Evaluating Sources
In addition to allowing a writer to gain additional information about a topic, the correct use of
outside sources lends credibility to any essay. Statistics, quotes, surveys, and other forms of
research can help a writer establish his / her point and ultimately influence the reader to agree
with him / her. If a writer uses credible sources and incorporates them well into the essay, the
writing becomes better and more credible.
Given this fact, here are a few questions to ask when evaluating any source:
Who is behind this source? Is the source well known and considered an expert in the particular
field?
Has the information been reviewed by other professionals in the field?
Is the source comprehensive? Does it offer a variety of information on the subject?
How current is it? Generally, the more current the information, the better it is.
Is the source merely presenting information, or is it trying to sell something? (Is there a
financial incentive for providing certain information?)
Is there a bias behind the information? If so, how strong is this bias?
Is the information written in an objective manner or does it seem more emotional?
Are the arguments one-sided, or does the source acknowledge counter arguments?
When considering internet sources, it is generally best to stick with sites that end in .gov
(government), .edu (education), and, depending on the topic, .mil (military). These sites are
generally more credible than sites ending in other extensions, such as .com (commercial) or
.net (network). Due to the fact that .com sites are commercial-based, it is best to avoid these
sites unless they are credible news organizations (in which case the goal is to sell the news
rather than a particular product). Sites that end with the .org (organization) extension can be
good places to find information, but these sources are often biased and not comprehensive.
Always evaluate your sources before using them! Never use Wikipedia sites for
research!
When researching, it is best to use primary sources when available. A primary source is
an original study, document, object, or eyewitness account. A secondary source is a document
that is written about the primary source. These are often documents that report, analyze,
discuss, or interpret primary sources.
Advanced Google Search with Booleans, etc.: Go to
http://www.google.com/advanced_search
Good Galileo Databases
Current Galileo Password for CCS: ___________________________________
**1. Academic Search Complete (EBSCOhost):**
http://eds.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/search/basic?sid=38c02c39-79e7-4346-b6c3-f1aa4e8f96db
%40sessionmgr111&vid=0&hid=114
2. Britannica School High:
http://school.eb.com/levels/high
3. New York Times Online:
http://www.nytimes.com/
4. SIRS Discoverer:
http://discoverer.prod.sirs.com/discoweb/disco/do/frontpage
Using Quotations
Quotations should be used sparingly and always with the goal of achieving a particular effect.
Keep in mind that paraphrasing (putting original text into your own wording and sentence
structure) is often better than quoting.
Because of this, quoting should only be used under the following conditions:
A. The language is unusually vivid, bold, or inventive.
B.
C.
meaning.
Furthermore, using too many quotes can overpower your own writing and introduce too many
different writing styles to a particular section. This leads to writing that seems unfocused and
disunited, so remember to use quotes sparingly so that they dont interfere with your content
and style.
Remember that when quotations are used, they must be integrated smoothly into the essay,
rather than simply being dumped in. To do this, introduce the quotation or paraphrased
information by giving the name and credentials of the individual you are quoting.
Example: Barbara S. Cain, clinical supervisor at the Psychological Clinic at the University of
Michigan, points out that
Example:
Original quote: Such slavish dependency on cell phones is accompanied by the demise of
common social courtesies.
MLA Example: To make his point, Fisher writes that, such slavish dependency on cell phones
is accompanied by the demise of common social courtesies (660).
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10 pts.