NAME: ________________________________________________________GROUP:________ CODE: _______________

HOW TO WRITE A PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ESSAY

AIM: To analyze and understand the process of writing a formal piece of writing.
To write a problem and solution essay about varied issues.

ACTIVITY 1 (at home): PROCESS

Analyze the following graphic and keep it as reference to complete the subsequent activities.

Copyright © 2019. Universidad de La Sabana, Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. Created by Rodriguez, S. (2015). Adapted by Fernandez, S. (2018),
Gómez-Vásquez, L. (2019). All Rights Reserved. No part of this material shall be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or commercially exploited, except with express
written permission from the copyright holders. Enquiries for permission to reproduced all or parts of this material should be directed to [email protected]
ACTIVITY 2 (at home): STRUCTURE

a) Read the following ESSAY sample and identify its main elements with different colors.

Introduction Hook - Background information - Thesis statement.

Body Paragraphs 1 and 2 Topic sentences - Supporting data – Solutions - Resulting sentences.
Conclusion Thesis restatement – Solutions (what) – Solutions (who) – Final result.

b) Count the words in each paragraph.

c) Check the references, structure and use.

TOPIC: Main cities have grown at a fast pace causing that transportation systems become insufficient for the number of people.

Main cities have been experiencing a rise in their population in recent years. Yet, their transportation systems remain
INTRODUCTION

unchanged. This trend has its foundation in several reasons: For instance, many people move to big cities looking for better
working and living conditions. In addition, the birth rate keeps growing exponentially which causes trauma in numerous areas of
daily life such as commuting (1). Having this in mind, overcrowded cities along with deficient transportation systems have led to
an increase in illegal transportation means and sexual harassment. This essay aims at providing two solutions. # words: _____

Firstly, the lack of a proper vehicle fleet allows illegitimate ways to move around cities. As an example, Cervero (2000) draws
attention to the fact that informal types of moving like motorbike taxis or pedal-powered modes have proliferated affecting
formal transportation companies and offering no security (2). To solve this problem, the Ministry of Transportation and the City
BODY PARAGRAPHS

Major must legalize these types of transport by summoning up illicit transporters in order to set up guidelines and establish
rules for their operation in big cities. If this is done, people will have more authorized options to commute. # words: _____

In the second place, as buses are insufficient, they are full of people most of the time provoking abuse, mainly to women. For
instance, many cases of sexual harassment have been denounced in Bogotá by women who suffered from it or by people who
witnessed such mistreatment. Sadly, this is a common tendency that is not dropping (3). To tackle this situation, the local Police
Department could instruct women by providing free online courses so they have information about how to protect themselves
and where to report abusers. This would certainly reduce the cases of sexual molestation. # words: _____

Considering everything, rising numbers of illicit means of transport and women being harassed are the consequences of
CONCLUSION

overpopulated cities that do not have appropriate systems to transport. This worrying tendency can be stopped by meeting up
with informal transporters to legitimize their work and teaching women how to defend themselves. This would involve the
support of the Ministry of Transport and the City Major, as well as, the local Police Department. By doing so, the difficulties
caused by not having enough transportation systems will be reduced providing life quality to main cities inhabitants.
# words: _____

REFERENCES:
1. World Bank Organization. (2010). Determinants and Consequences of High Fertility: A Synopsis of the Evidence.
www.worldbank.org/ hnppublications
2. Cervero, R. (2000). Informal Transport in the Developing World. United Nations Centre for Human Settlements.
3. Rodríguez, J. D. (2018). Acoso en Transmilenio Continúa Pese a Medidas de Policía. www.rcnradio.com

Written by Prof. Gómez-Vásquez, L. (2019)

Copyright © 2019. Universidad de La Sabana, Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. Created by Rodriguez, S. (2015). Adapted by Fernandez, S. (2018),
Gómez-Vásquez, L. (2019). All Rights Reserved. No part of this material shall be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or commercially exploited, except with express
written permission from the copyright holders. Enquiries for permission to reproduced all or parts of this material should be directed to [email protected]
ACTIVITY 3 (in class): TOPIC
In class, you will be assigned one of the following actual social situations at random.

1. Physical punishment on children and teens prevails over reasoning in developing countries. Think of two
problems derived from this situation and propose two solutions.
2. Adolescents featuring teenage isolation are commonly perceived as misfits within their society. Think of two
problems derived from this situation and propose two solutions.
3. Built-in obsolescence seems to be the trend in industrial design and economics. Think of two problems
derived from this situation and propose two solutions.
4. Urban sprawl has become a common trend among citizens who want a place to live where they can have the
best of town and the country. Think of two problems derived from this situation and propose two
solutions.
5. People are undeniably spending more and more time on their mobile phones in their day-to-day lives. Think
of two problems derived from this situation and propose two solutions.
6. User-generated content is now being shared by youngsters to become part of the online social networking
environment. Think of two problems derived from this situation and propose two solutions.

ACTIVITY 4 (in class) BRAINSTORMING – Read about the topic assigned and think of 3 problems this situation might
produce. Also, think of a possible solution per problem.

Solution 1
(who – what – how)
Problem 1
Brainstorming

Solution 2
Topic: (who – what – how)
Problem 2

Solution 3
(who – what – how)
Problem 3

Copyright © 2019. Universidad de La Sabana, Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. Created by Rodriguez, S. (2015). Adapted by Fernandez, S. (2018),
Gómez-Vásquez, L. (2019). All Rights Reserved. No part of this material shall be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or commercially exploited, except with express
written permission from the copyright holders. Enquiries for permission to reproduced all or parts of this material should be directed to [email protected]
• ACTIVITY 5 (in class): RESEARCH Read the situation you were assigned and find three articles from a reliable
newspaper, magazine, journal or video. This information should demonstrate the problem is real.

What does the article say? (Paraphrase. Use your own words to report the information. remember to give the author
credit for his/her ideas by using phrases such as "according to the author", "the author believes", "the author reports",
etc. Otherwise, you will be committing plagiarism)

Citation Reference: Brown, J. D. (2001). Using surveys in Language programs. Cambridge University Press.
EXAMPLE
Citation: Brown (2001) claims that one data collection method for research purposes is the surveys
which…xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Two CAUSES Reference:

of the main
situation
Citation:
This will be
your
background
information.

Problem 1 Reference:

Citation
This idea has
to explain the
1st sub-
problem.

Problem 2 Reference:

Citation:
This idea has
to explain the
2nd sub-
problem.

Copyright © 2019. Universidad de La Sabana, Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. Created by Rodriguez, S. (2015). Adapted by Fernandez, S. (2018),
Gómez-Vásquez, L. (2019). All Rights Reserved. No part of this material shall be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or commercially exploited, except with express
written permission from the copyright holders. Enquiries for permission to reproduced all or parts of this material should be directed to [email protected]
ACTIVITY 6 (in class): WRITING AN EFFECTIVE THESIS STATEMENT

A thesis statement is the most important element in your essay as it will tell the reader what the text is about. It should
have TWO components: the main situation and the two sub-problems.

Thesis statement: Overcrowded cities along with deficient transportation systems have led to an increase in illegal
transportation means and sexual harassment.

1. Main situation: The topic has to be clearly written.

2. Two sub-problems: explicitly name the 2 problems giving them a negative connotation.
Write the thesis statement of your essay below:

Having this in mind,

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 7 (at home): KEY VOCABULARY

Based on the articles you read, classify all the relevant and related vocabulary you would be most likely to use or need
for your own essay. This will be your dictionary for the day of the exam.

NOUNS VERBS ADJECTIVES ADVERBS

ACTIVITY 8 (at home): CONNECTORS

ADDITION CONTRAST CONCLUSION / RESULT ORDER

Copyright © 2019. Universidad de La Sabana, Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. Created by Rodriguez, S. (2015). Adapted by Fernandez, S. (2018),
Gómez-Vásquez, L. (2019). All Rights Reserved. No part of this material shall be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or commercially exploited, except with express
written permission from the copyright holders. Enquiries for permission to reproduced all or parts of this material should be directed to [email protected]
 USEFUL EXPRESSIONS AND VOCABULARY

Causes and effects

…is resulting in… …is due to… …which causes… …leads to…
…which contributes to… …caused by… …as a result of…
…has a detrimental effect on…

Using modals for suggesting ways to solve a problem

People must to solve this problem/issue.
have to take responsibility to dramatically improve the
Politicians need take measures situation.
should find ways to alleviate the problem.
Ministries could take action to reduce the harmful effects.
may be able to to stop this worrying trend.
Industry

Using conditionals to justify recommended action to be taken

Expressing positive results Expressing negative results

This would certainly reduce… Unless action is taken…

As a result, such action will… Otherwise the situation will continue to deteriorate.
If this is done, … If governments refuse to take action, …
If this suggested course of action is taken, it will alleviate…

Copyright © 2019. Universidad de La Sabana, Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. Created by Rodriguez, S. (2015). Adapted by Fernandez, S. (2018),
Gómez-Vásquez, L. (2019). All Rights Reserved. No part of this material shall be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or commercially exploited, except with express
written permission from the copyright holders. Enquiries for permission to reproduced all or parts of this material should be directed to [email protected]
 ACTIVITY 9 ( at home): WRITING AN OUTLINE FROM A COMPLETE ESSAY

When writing an outline, you ONLY WRITE SHORT PHRASES that convey the overall idea in each section. Complete the
sample below with the information from the essay in Activity 2.
Do not include connectors at this point.

Hook Growing cities with no changes in transport.

Introduction

Background (2 causes of 1.
the main problem) 2.

Thesis Statement (Main

problem + 2 sub- Many people, few buses= 1.ilegal transportation 2.sexual harassment.
problems)

Problem 1 People use illegal means of transport.

Supporting evidence
(Example, author’s
Body paragraph 1

opinion, statistics,
reports)

Solution 1
Ministry of transport, legalize those systems, have meetings and create rules.
(Who, What, How)

Resulting sentence

Problem 2

Supporting evidence
(Example, author’s
Many cases have been reported.
Body paragraph 2

opinion, statistics,
reports)

Solution 2
(Who, What, How)

Resulting sentence Fewer women attacked.

Copyright © 2019. Universidad de La Sabana, Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. Created by Rodriguez, S. (2015). Adapted by Fernandez, S. (2018),
Gómez-Vásquez, L. (2019). All Rights Reserved. No part of this material shall be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or commercially exploited, except with express
written permission from the copyright holders. Enquiries for permission to reproduced all or parts of this material should be directed to [email protected]
 ACTIVITY 10 (in class): WRITE YOUR OUTLINE. NAME:_____________________________________________________
Write short sentences. Remember this is a skeleton of you paper, NOT the whole essay!
Do not include connectors at this point.

Hook
Introduction

Background (2 causes of
the main problem)

Thesis Statement (Main

problem + 2 sub-
problems)

Problem 1
Supporting evidence
(Example, author’s
Body paragraph 1

opinion, statistics,
reports)

Solution 1
(Who, What, How)

Resulting sentence

Problem 2

Supporting evidence
(Example, author’s
Body paragraph 2

opinion, statistics,
reports)

Solution 2
(Who, What, How)

Resulting sentence

References:
1. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Copyright © 2019. Universidad de La Sabana, Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. Created by Rodriguez, S. (2015). Adapted by Fernandez, S. (2018),
Gómez-Vásquez, L. (2019). All Rights Reserved. No part of this material shall be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or commercially exploited, except with express
written permission from the copyright holders. Enquiries for permission to reproduced all or parts of this material should be directed to [email protected]
 Grade

PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY – DRAFT

NAME: ____________________________________________________GROUP: _______ CODE: ____________________
Write the first draft of your introductory paragraph and first body paragraph. You should write 90 to 100 words in each paragraph.
Add your supporting ideas and examples. Skip a line. Count the number of words and write it down. Highlight each element in the
paragraphs using different colors.
Topic:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
______words
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Body Paragraph 1

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
______words
References:
1. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Copyright © 2019. Universidad de La Sabana, Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. Created by Rodriguez, S. (2015). Adapted by Fernandez, S. (2018),
Gómez-Vásquez, L. (2019). All Rights Reserved. No part of this material shall be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or commercially exploited, except with express
written permission from the copyright holders. Enquiries for permission to reproduced all or parts of this material should be directed to [email protected]
 RUBRIC FOR INTRODUCTORY AND FIRST PROBLEM-SOLUTION PARAGRAPHS

Name _______________________________________________________ Code ______________________ Group_________________

CATEGORY MEETS EXPECTATIONS MEETS MOST EXPECTATIONS SHOWS CONSISTENT PROGRESS NEEDS IMPROVEMENT SHOWS MINIMAL PROGRESS
Grade: 5 Grade: 4 Grade: 3 Grade: 2 Grade: 1
TASK FULFILLMENT * The introduction is clear and provides an * The introduction is mostly clear and * The introduction is fairly clear. It shows a fair * The introduction is somewhat *Addresses none/few of the
10% interesting hook, a remarkable background and provides a descriptive hook, a factual hook and a basic background. The thesis requires vague. It has an inconsistent hook, requirements.
Introduction: an insightful and a complete thesis statement background and a fair thesis statement adjustment (one of the points to be examined is loose background details and a *Word count is not reached.
Hook, Background, (two strong points to be examined). (two fair points to be examined). not precise). misleading/incomplete thesis (points *Shows no knowledge and the paper
Thesis statement, * The first body paragraph shows a clear * The first body paragraph shows a * The first body paragraph shows a general to be examined are unclear). is off topic. THEREFORE, YOUR FINAL
Body paragraph problem, a well-thought out solution and a concrete problem, a suitable solution and problem, a questionable solution and/or a not * The first body paragraph shows an GRADE IS 1.0.
Body paragraph: logical resulting statement). a related resulting statement). fully related resulting statement. unclear problem, an ineffective *There is evidence of plagiarism in
Topic sentence, * Word count is outstandingly reached all way * Word count is mostly reached in each * Word count is almost reached in any of the solution and/or a non-related one or more paragraphs. IN THIS
supporting details, through. paragraph. paragraphs. resulting statement. CASE, THE OVERALL GRADE IS 0.0
solution, resulting *Word count is poorly reached in
sentence. both paragraphs.
0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1
* Shows breadth of knowledge and evidence of * There is clear evidence of information * Shows some knowledge gained through • There is no evidence of information • There is no evidence of information
RELEVANCE AND sounding research supported by two or more in- search and citations and references are research and a fair command of the subject/topic. search, nor citations/references were search, neither citations nor
DEPTH OF text citations and references. properly included (at least 1 citation and its (citation may be inappropriate or incomplete). included, or information is mainly references were included and the
ANALYSIS • The ideas presented evidence relevance and in- corresponding reference) * Citations are included but not the sources/ based on commonsense. information/analysis presented has
10% depth analysis. * The ideas presented analyze the subject references (or vice-versa). • The ideas presented lack relevance no relevance at all.
matter sufficiently. • The ideas presented are somehow relevant and and the analysis is rather superficial.
the analysis of the subject matter is somehow
0.5 0.4 superficial. 0.3 0.2 0.1
*Develops well-framed, coherent and organized * Develops sufficient, coherent and * Develops partially coherent paragraphs with *Provides paragraphs which lack *Paragraph structure is not evident
paragraphs based on the task requirements. organized paragraphs based on the task somewhat loose organization. appropriate structure and confusing and ideas are mostly disconnected.
*Makes outstanding use of complex connective requirements. * Makes fair use of connective and discourse ideas; they are repetitive and lack *Lacks basic connective devices.
COHERENCE AND devices and discourse markers. *Makes proper use of basic and complex markers, but organization may be somewhat coherence. * There is no a logical connection
COHESION *The resulting sentence always addresses the connective devices and discourse markers . loose. *Makes ineffective use and/or between the resulting sentence and
20% issue mentioned in the topic sentences. *The resulting sentence usually addresses *The resulting sentence sometimes addresses the overuse of basic connective devices. the topic sentence.
the issue mentioned in the topic issue mentioned in the topic sentences * The resulting sentence does not
sentences. address the issue mentioned in the 0.2
1 0.6 topic sentence.
0.8 0.4
*Expresses ideas with ease in well-controlled *Expresses ideas in controlled sentence *Expresses ideas with enough control of *Expresses ideas with frequently *Expresses ideas with inconsistent
sentence structure and tenses. structure and tenses. grammatical forms and proper sentence structure. inconsistent and fragmented and fragmented sentence structure.
*Uses a variety of simple and complex grammar * Uses simple and complex grammar * Uses mostly simple and/or attempts complex sentence structure. *Shows inconsistencies with
GRAMMAR structures and is mostly accurate. structures with some small errors. grammar structures with some significant errors. *Shows several inconsistencies with grammar usage which make ideas
25% grammar usage that interfere with difficult to understand.
1.25 1 0.75 meaning. 0.5 0.25
*Shows highly varied and related vocabulary *Shows enough varied and related *Shows fair use of related vocabulary learnt *Shows limited vocabulary that is *Shows lack of vocabulary and it is
studied in class and/or learnt through research. vocabulary studied in class and/or learnt through research which occasionally may be poorly related and often repetitive. not well related and repetitive.
*Makes outstanding use of related expressions through research. repetitive. *Makes poor use of expressions to *Lacks expressions to explain
VOCABULARY to explain problems and propose solutions. *Makes proper use of useful expressions *Makes good use of expressions to explain explain problems or to propose problems and to propose solutions.
25% *Makes consistent word choice. to explain problems and propose solutions. problems or to propose solutions. solutions. *Uses words totally in an inaccurate
*Makes accurate word choice most of the *Makes fair word choice. *Uses words mostly in an inaccurate manner.
1.25 time. manner.
1 0.75 0.5 0.25
*Shows accurate punctuation, capitalization and * Shows accurate punctuation, * Shows somewhat appropriate punctuation, *Attempts punctuation, capitalization *Lacks of punctuation and
MECHANICS spelling. capitalization, and spelling in spite of some capitalization and spelling in spite of some errors and spelling but frequent errors capitalization. Spelling with frequent
10% errors that do not distort the message. which slightly distort the message. usually impede reading. errors moslty impede reading.

Copyright © 2019. Universidad de La Sabana, Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. Created by Rodriguez, S. (2015). Adapted by Fernandez, S. (2018), Gómez-Vásquez, L. (2019). All Rights Reserved. No part of
this material shall be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or commercially exploited, except with express written permission from the copyright holders. Enquiries for permission to reproduced all or parts of this material
should be directed to [email protected]
 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1

Copyright © 2019. Universidad de La Sabana, Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures. Created by Rodriguez, S. (2015). Adapted by Fernandez, S. (2018), Gómez-Vásquez, L. (2019). All Rights Reserved. No part of
this material shall be reproduced, transmitted, distributed or commercially exploited, except with express written permission from the copyright holders. Enquiries for permission to reproduced all or parts of this material
should be directed to [email protected]