Atcheson Spring 2016 (CJHS)

Due: Friday, February 26, 2016 by 1:10 P.M.

Assignment: Research-Based Problem / Solution Essay
A problem / solution essay attempts to inspire a shift in the readers thinking that will in turn
inspire him / her to take some sort of action. You analyze a problem and propose a method for
solving it. A problem / solution essay should have the following characteristics:

a problem that needs to be solved,

a thesis statement that identifies the problem and points toward the solution,
identification of several possible solutions with a focus on the one that is best,
an analytical tone,
and specific facts, details, examples, and reasons indicating why one solution is

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

include the Works Cited page at the end.

Your formal essay should be double-spaced according to MLA guidelines.

It should be 12 pt. font.

It should be in Times New Roman.

You should use a minimum of 3 quality sources and no more than 6 sources
to add credibility to your essay.

The essay should be well organized and be free of plagiarism. The

essay must be your own work.

The title of the essay and proper heading should be included.

There should be 1-inch margins all around.

Each paragraph should be indented and NOT labeled.

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.

https://www.grammarly.com/ is a great FREE website to help edit and

revise your essay.
Daily Work:
The daily assignments are especially important for this essay.You cannot do well on this
assignment by simply handing in what you think might be a research-based problem / solution
essay. I need to be able to see the process that you followed in order to produce this final
essay. The following are assignments specific to this essay that must be submitted:
1. Research Proposal: This will be your formal proposal for the paper and should be a welldeveloped paragraph (5-10 sentences). I will need to approve your proposal BEFORE you can
proceed with research. (Due no later than Thursday, February 9, 2016 / 1.0x in PS)
-Within this proposal, you should:
-Identify what your problem is.
-Develop a rationale for the problem:
-Why does it matter? Why is it a problem? Why can it be solved?
-Determine what you need to learn in order to develop a solution.
-Develop questions to help you begin your research or writing.
-Design a research plan.
-What type of sources do you think will be helpful during your research?
2. Research Log: This will be your collection of research notes, citations, and any comments
during your active research. You should bring this with you to class each day. (Due with final
paper on Friday, February 26, 2016 / 1.5x in PS)

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.

BLANK ESSAY OUTLINE

Assignment: Use the following template to map out your research-based problem / solution
essay.
Introduction Paragraph
A. Attention Getter- could be a startling statistic / fact, an anecdote, quote, series of
examples, etc.
___________________________________________________________________________
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B. Transition- could be a startling statistic / fact, an anecdote, quote, series of
examples, etc.
___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________
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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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___________________________________________________________________________
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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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___________________________________________________________________________
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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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___________________________________________________________________________
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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.

The quote represents and emphasizes the view of an important expert.

C.

The original passage cannot be paraphrased without distortion or loss of

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).

Student Name:______________________________Period: _____ Date Submitted: ______

GRADING RUBRIC FOR RESEARCH-BASED PROBLEM / SOLUTION ESSAY (3.5x in PS)

__________ 30 points- Proper MLA Evidence
Internal citations

10 pts.

MLA set-up (title information, headers, spacing, etc.)

10 pts.

Works Cited page

10 pts.

__________ 60 points- Well-written (reads smoothly, good paraphrasing of information (no

plagiarizing), logical use of facts, etc.)
Introduction (thesis is evident)

10 pts.

Body- The Problem

10 pts.

Body- Common Ground

10 pts.

Body- Addressing Other Alternatives First

10 pts.

Body- Plan of Action

10 pts.

Conclusion (Call to Action)

10 pts.

_________ 10 pts. Proper grammar, usage, punctuation, spelling, etc.

**Late papers- 5 pts. off each day / Parent Contact upon 3 rd day late**
_______ TOTAL POINTS ACHIEVED
Teacher Comments: