Exposition: Problem

and Solution
[adapted from Writing and Grammar:
Communication in Action, Prentice-Hall,
Publishers, 2001]
 What’s a problem and solution essay
anyway?
• If there’s a problem, there usually is a solution and even when there’s not
a definite solution, there are people arguing over which solution is best
• Problem/solution assignments don’t have to be difficult. Just follow the
writing process.
• Think about what problem would you like to see solved.
• You should pick something that will be motivating to you, something that
you are passionate about. Why?
• For one, it will make it easier for you to research and to keep yourself
motivated to do the research.
• For another, it will make it easier for you to write on and make your paper
more engaging for others to read. Your paper and the research it
documents should be impactful to those who read it.
• Important: make sure that you pick a problem that really has possible
solutions.
• The same considerations apply to picking a topic for this paper as for any
other -- the topic can't be too broad or too narrow, and it has to be
something that can actually be researched.
 Four Components of a Problem and
Solution Essay
• Every problem solution essay is required to have four mandatory
components:
• Situation, or your introduction to the background of the problem.
• Problem, or your description of the specifics of the problem and why it should be
addressed.
• Solution, or your proposed answer to the problem.
• Evaluation, or an overview of your previously stated ideas along with a call for
action.
• Sometimes problem solution essay will address more than one problem,
but this move is only effective when the multiple problems lie within the
same realm — otherwise, you will find it hard to focus on the solutions to
the problems.
 Five Steps to Writing an Effective
Problem and Solution Paper
• In order to deliver a beautifully structured and logical paper, you need to
follow a specific order of steps while working on the paper:
• Identify and explain the problem using concise language and providing the examples
for a better understanding of the issue.
• Investigate the origins of the problem and how it has appeared in society.
• Explain why you believe the problem is important and needs to be solved.
 • Paint a complete picture of the consequences of the problem if society fails to solve the
problem.
• Demonstrate the possible outcome of the problem; this part will function as a call to
action for your audience.
• There is no universal recipe for success when you’re choosing a problem to
investigate. In some cases, local problems connected to your school or community
work best. In other cases, students achieve great results when writing a paper on
global problems like the environment and racism. Most importantly, you should
have a genuine interest in the topic.
 Prewriting—Choosing Your Topic
• Begin by identifying an important problem about which you feel strongly.
• Your essay will be more effective if you choose a significant and
meaningful problem rather than a simple one that can be solved easily.
 Forming research questions

• Not sure what to research for your topic? Take the topic you have selected
and turn it into a research question.
• For instance, if your topic is “obesity in America,” you could frame that
into research questions like "What are measures that prevent weight
gain?" or "What are the most sustainable diets for weight loss?"
• (Tip: Avoid search terms like "best" or "worst" because they are very
vague and subjective. Choose terms that are more specific and
quantifiable in meaning.)
 Considering Your Audience and Purpose
• The type of language you use will depend on the audience for your
problem-and-solution essay.
• Some audiences, such as a group of friends, will relate best to informal
language.
• Many other audiences, however, will respond better if you use formal
language to communicate your ideas.
 Gather Various Types of Details
• As you gather details, look to find those that fully explain the problem you
are proposing to solve and the steps or aspects of the solution.
• Cite examples: Give examples from research or real life to explain the problem and
its history.
• Interview: Talk to people who have a deep knowledge of the problem or who have
definite ideas on how to solve.
• Survey: Create and distribute a survey that probes the ideas about the problem and
possible solutions. Tabulate the responses, and cite the results in your essay.
 Drafting—Shaping Your Writing
• Start With the Problem. As inventor Charles Kettering once said, “A
problem well stated is a problem half solved.”
• Your problem-and-solution essay should begin with a detailed description
of the problem.
• Make sure your audience understands all of the important aspects of your
problem.
• Once the problem is clear, you can write about the solution or solutions
you propose.
 Using an Outline
• An outline can help you organize your ideas before you begin to draft.
• Look at the examples following.
• The first example shows how to organize an essay presenting a single solution to a
problem.
• The second example shows how to organize an essay proposing more than one
solution.
• Use the organization that fits your topic.
 Problem/Solution
• I. Description of Problem
• A. Factor one
• B. Factor two
• II. Description of Solution
• A. How it solves factor one
• B. How it solves factor two
• III. Personal Evaluation
 Problem/Solution/Solution
I. Description of Problem
• A. Factor one
• B. Factor two
II. First Solution
• A. Advantages
• B. Disadvantages
III. Second Solution
• A. Advantages
• B. Disadvantages
IV. Personal Evaluation
 Providing Elaboration
• Following your outline, begin writing your first draft.
• Support each major point in your outline by adding facts and other details,
expanding on ideas, and discussing important related concepts.
• This elaboration will help you convince readers of the soundness of your
solution.
• It will also help them understand and accept the solution you are
proposing.
 An Effective Problem-and- Solution
Essay…
• Clearly states a specific, real-life problem.
• Identifies the most important aspects of the problem.
• Presents one or more possible solutions.
• Supports each solution with specific details and logical reasons.
Problem Solution Essays Give a Detailed
Plan
• What makes a problem-solution paper different is that it gives a detailed
plan for how the problem needs to be solved and argues for a specific
action. The body argues for your solution and explains:
• 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
 How to Convince Your Audience
• To build an effective argument or proposal, you need to find common
ground with your audience.

• While there is some value in arguments which “preach to the choir” and
“rally the troops” to support something they already strongly believe,
most arguments are more effective if you seek to persuade an audience
which is undecided or not strongly in favor of your position.
• Here are some questions that can help you define your audience for your
position paper and also find out what common ground you have with
them:
• Who is your audience? What do they believe about your issue?
• What do you want them to believe or do after reading your paper?
• What are the warrants (values or strong beliefs) your audience holds about this type
of subject?
• How are your warrants (values or strong beliefs) different or the same as those of
your audience?
• Where do you and your audience have common ground? What basic needs, values,
and beliefs do you share? Examples of needs and values that motivate most
audiences: basic needs, health, financial well-being, affection and friendship, respect
and esteem of others, self-esteem, new experience, self-actualization, and
convenience.
• Which of these needs and values could be effective for you to appeal to in your
paper
Unloading the Cargo
 • Describe the problem
• Convince the reader the problem needs solving
• Explain the solution proposal
• Problem Solution Papers
• Argue that this is the best solution
• Refute objections
• Finding a Solution
• Great solutions are:
• Implemented easily
• Effective at solving the problem
• Cost-effective
• Feasible
 Writing Your Paper

• To write a persuasive solution paper, you need to organize carefully. Your

main goals are:
• Interest your reader in the problem
• Convince your reader that the problem is important and needs to be solved
• Explain your solution clearly
• Convince the reader that your solution is cost-effective and feasible
• Convince your reader that your solution is better than other solutions
 What are the steps to the writing process?
• Once you plan your paper, use your Problem Put the problem you’ll be
analyzing here
plan to write the rough draft. Keep
in mind that your paper must be 4-7 Solution
Put your thesis (main
solution) here
pages in length. 1-2 pages might be Bullet your points that
explaining the problem and 2-3 pages support your solution
here (these will become
talking about the solution(s). your supporting
paragraphs

Address arguments that

Refutation oppose your solution as well
and or as other solutions. Be sure
conclusion to explain the importance of
paragraph the information
Problem/Solution Pre-write Example
Problem Cigarette Smoking
Offer help to those who are addicted and create programs to
prevent new addicts.
Solution • Educate youths at an earlier age through media, news and mediical
services
• Make patches, gum and other nicotine programs more affordable
• Charge more for cigarettes

Some will argue it’s against their freedoms to phase this habit out but
Refutation/ second smoke takes the rights and lives away from others
Some will argue it’s too late to help those who are addicted but with the
Conclusion right support and accessibility for help they can quit
 The Problem Section
• What is the problem being addressed (explain, describe, and “prove” that it
exists)?
• Whom does this problem affect?
• Why does this problem exist (identify the root causes)?
• Why does the problem persist (identify the major factors that contribute to the
problem’s ongoing presence)?
• What’s at stake if the problem is not solved, and why is it worthy of a solution
(be reasonable about the current and potential hazards if the problem presents)?
 Solution Section
• Who can take action?
• What should they do, exactly?
• Why would this help? Associate your solution with Problem numbers 3 &
4 above:
• How would your solution directly eliminate (or at least diminish) the
impact of the problem’s causes? If you can, use research to show how the
solution affects the problem and its causes.
 So what’s my thesis? The purpose of the thesis is to tell the
reader what your paper is going to be all about.

• Your thesis may vary depending on what your topic is, who your audience is and how much information you have
• Your thesis could argue for one main solution
“Although many disagree, spanking is still a useful tool to use for discipline problems as long as it’s used constructively.”
When using this format, your body paragraphs will all tie into and support your one solution of spanking.
• Your thesis could argue for the urgent need to solve the problem
“Even though several attempts have been made to eradicate drunk driving, people still ignore or deny the reality of drunk driving
consequences.”
When using this type of thesis, your body paragraphs will support and tie into the importance of the problem.
 Writing Your Introduction
• Creative Introduction Ideas:
• Tell a true-life story about the problem.
• Give a personal experience story.
• Use a scenario or imagined story illustrating why this needs to be solved.
• Give statistics and facts about the problem which makes it vivid for the reader.
• Do a detailed explanation of the problem with facts that show why it needs to be
dealt with.
• Give the history of the situation and explain how this problem developed.
• Use a frame story that gives an example of the problem in the introduction
and then a return to the problem being solved in the conclusion.
• Use a vivid description with sensory details that make the reader see the
situation.
• Use a movie, book, T.V. story, or news story to show the problem and why
it is important.
 Writing your Thesis
• A thesis statement for problem-solution essays consists of 2 parts: topic and
then the blueprint.
• It includes a very specific statement about the topic (an arguable claim about
the topic)
• It should appear at the end of 1st paragraph
• Ideally, it should be one sentence.
• This can be a long sentence, such as a compound-complex one; it should not
be a run on.
 Writing your Thesis
• At the end of your introduction, you can ask your thesis question and then
give your solution idea as the thesis statement. Here are some tips:
• State your solution clearly in one sentence.
• Usually, your thesis sentence will come after you describe the problem.
• Sometimes, you may not want to state this thesis until after you have shown that the
present solutions aren't working, especially if your thesis is something simple.
 So what’s my thesis continued
Your thesis could argue for three main solutions – one per body paragraph
“spanking for inappropriate behaviors, time out for inappropriate behaviors and positive
reinforcement for positive behaviors can all contribute to the healthy raising of a
respectful and obedient child.
When using this format, your body paragraphs will all tie into each other and attempt to fix
the overall problem. In this particular example it is a child that is not respectful or
obedient to their parents and other adults.
 Look at the examples provided and identify if this
would an appropriate problem-solution thesis or not.
• “Internet piracy is a big problem for many companies.”
• Why is this thesis statement ineffective?
• “Smoking should be banned because it is bad for your health, it costs
too much and it affects those who do not smoke.”
• Why is this thesis statement effective?
• The melting ice caps pose a real and present danger to our world and, if left
unchecked, will cause world-wide disasters in the future. Scientists have
researched two viable ways to slow the disintegration of the ice caps.”
• Thoughts?
• “Many children suffer long-term consequences of bullying; the problem can
be remedied through a three-pronged approach: educating the parents,
encouraging a community atmosphere, and implementing a peer mediation
program.”
• What about this one?
 Below, you will find several thesis statement
models for Problem/Solution Essays.
• There are several (use a number or words like many, a few, some, etc.)
ways to solve the problem of ____________: ______, _______, and
________.

• “There are three ways to solve the garbage problem in Riverside:

education, improvement of recycling program, and enforcement of
regulations.”
• There are several (use an adjective to describe the solutions - inexpensive,
possible, etc.) solutions to ____________.

• “There are three effective ways to solve the garbage problem in

Riverside.”
• The problem of ____________ can be solved by _______, _________,
_________ (mention each of the possible solutions).

• “The problem of garbage in Riverside can be solved by educating

people, recycling, and enforcing regulations.
 Sample Thesis Statements
• The future of medicine and biomedical research should not rely on
animals for testing. Instead, we should use alternative testing methods
and work toward making different lifestyle choices.

• Students have prevailingly negative feelings toward writing papers;

many reasons for this situation could be mitigated by the Writing
Center.
 Describing the Problem
• After your introduction, you need to describe the problem and explain
why it needs to be solved and then give your thesis solution. Remember:
• If it is an unknown problem, you will need to explain in detail.
• If it is a familiar problem, then you need to paint a vivid picture.
• In both situations, you will need to convince the reader that it is an important
problem.
 Problem Breakdown
• What: students hate writing papers
• Whom: students
• Why:
• (a) students feel like they do not understand assignments;
• (b) students feel like they do not know what instructors look for in their writing;
• (c) students do not think they can write about topics that interest them;
• (d) students do not know where to start;
• (e) students are unsure how to revise papers to meet academic standards
• Persistence: Student could claim that high school initiates a problematic
relationship with writing assignments
• Student will look at only at those factors that he/she can specifically
identify and feasibly “solve”
• What is at stake: entire collegiate careers spent lamenting all writing
assignments
 How to Find Solutions to the Problems
• Before you can propose your own solutions to the problems, you need to
demonstrate your prior research on the issue by offering some of the
solutions previously designed by other scholars.
• Analyze whether they were completely successful, and if not, what can be
changed about them.
• Then you can move on to proposing your own solutions to the problems
highlighted in the earlier parts of the essay. The work on your solutions
can be divided into three easy steps:
• Offer a plan of action. Your solution needs to be simple and detailed,
possibly in a step-by-step form.
• Think of the potential criticism of your solution and address it.
• Support your solution with examples.
• Whether it’s pictures, statistics, or simply stories, there needs to be a
strong background for your newly designed solution. Only then will your
solution seem feasible to the public.
• Question: What is the best way to start the solution paragraph in an
essay?
• Answer: After describing the problem, it usually helps to talk about what
has already been done to try to solve that problem and why that has not
worked. Then you can begin your suggestion by using a transition phrase.
Examples:
• A better way to solve this problem would be...
• Since the previous solutions have been ineffective, a more comprehensive
approach needs to be taken...
 Solution
• Who: students
• What: Go to the Writing Center.
• Why it would help: Because very often Writing Center tutors can
• help students understand assignments,
• explain how to write in particular disciplines and for academia generally,
• talk with students to help them think of interesting topics;
• brainstorm ideas with students to help them generate ideas and get started,
• guide students through revision strategies to help them achieve scholarly goals.
 Writing the Conclusion

• Your conclusion will be one or more paragraphs. For an excellent ending,

you want to clinch your argument and convince your reader that your
solution is the best. Here are some effective ideas:
• Tell the reader what should happen.
• Describe how the situation will change if your plan is adopted.
• Use the end of the frame story to show how the solution is needed or how it will
work.
• Give a real-life example or scenario showing the adoption of your plan and how it works.
• Cite convincing facts, statistics, or expert testimony on the solution or the problem.
• Provide a call to action.

• Instead of simply offering a conclusion to your solution, be proactive and

encourage your audience to take action.

• If the problem you’ve described is real and you’ve offered some genuine
solutions, the call to action will be very effective. The projection
technique is very effective for this purpose.
 Revising
• As you review your first draft, you will find many ways to improve your
writing.
• You might begin by focusing on the overall structure to make sure the
whole essay “hangs together.”
• After that, look at each paragraph, sentence, and word to sharpen your
work.
 Revising Your Overall Structure

• The success of a problem-and-solution essay depends on two things:

• You need to clearly define the problem,
• And you need to describe a specific and effective solution.
• The structure of your essay should make it easy to see how y our solution
answers every aspect of the problem.
Connecting Problems to Solutions

…A primary cause of the pollution is

P restaurants that use phosphates in their
dishwashing liquids. Acid rain also
contributes to the poor water quality. . . .

Requiring all local businesses to use

S phosphate-free detergents will greatly
improve the water quality of Hawkins
Stream. These detergents are slightly
more expansive but clean equally well. . . .
 Revising Your Paragraphs
• Focus each Paragraph on a Single Topic
• Every paragraph in your problem-and-solution essay should develop a
single idea or topic.
• You can test each paragraph by asking questions as you revise
 Revision Strategy:
Questioning Your Paragraph Choices
• Review your essay, and evaluate each paragraph as a separate unit.
• When you come to the end of a paragraph, pause to ask yourself why you
grouped these sentences together.
 Questions on Paragraphs
• Does the paragraph focus on one idea? State the idea, and describe how
each sentence expands on, supports, or clarifies that idea.
• Does every sentence relate to the main idea? If you find sentences on
different topics, consider cutting them or moving them to other, more
appropriate paragraphs.
• Do two paragraphs discuss the same topic? Consider combining the
paragraphs to improve the flow of ideas.
• Detailed descriptions evoke strong emotions and help your audience “see”
the problem.
• You can do so with examples from your area or another area with the
same problem, or you can create hypothetical scenarios that scare or
encourage your audience.
• Make the problem and solution come alive.
 Revising Your Sentences
• Fix Unnecessary Shifts in Tense
• Your sentences should use verb tenses to indicate clearly when an event occurred.
• It is often best to stay with a single tense.
• For example, if you are writing about a problem in the past, make sure that all your
verbs are in the past tense.
 Grammar in Your Writing:
The Six Tenses of Verbs
• There are six verb tenses, Each tense has a basic form, as
shown in this chart:

Present I look for a solution.

Past I looked for a solution yesterday.
Future I will look for a solution tomorrow.
Present Perfect I have looked for a solution before.
Past Perfect I had looked for a solution until I almost gave
up.
Future Perfect I will have looked for a solution by the end of the
next week.
 Progressive Forms
• Each tense also has a progressive form, ending in –ing.
Present I am looking for a solution.
Progressive
Past Progressive I was looking for a solution yesterday.
Future I will be looking for a solution tomorrow.
Progressive
Present Perfect I have been looking for a solution since last
Progressive week.
Past Perfect I had been looking for a solution when I found
Progressive the answer.
Future Perfect I will have been looking for a solution for two
Progressive weeks.
 Find it in Your Writing
• Identify the tense of each verb in your draft.
• Highlight paragraphs that have more than one verb tense.
• Evaluate whether or not each shift in tense is necessary.
• If not…change it.
 Revising Your Word Choice: Creating a
Tone
• The words you select help set the tone of your writing—the attitude
toward your subject that you convey to your readers.
• Decide on a tone you would like to convey, and revise your choice of
words to help you achieve that tone.
• The following chart shows how an alteration in word choice can affect the
tone of a piece of writing.
 Tone Chart
Optimistic Discovering an effective solution
Tone will be most challenging.

Pessimistic Reaching a workable solution will

Tone be extremely difficult

Informal Getting at a decent answer will

Tone be really hard.
 Nonrestrictive Clauses
• A nonrestrictive clause contains information that is not essential
to the meaning of the noun it modifies.
• Begin a nonrestrictive clause with which.
• Set off a nonrestrictive clause with commas:
• The mayor’s speech, which was about crime, was quite rousing.
• “how to Stop Litter,” which I wrote last year, won first prize in an essay
contest.
 Revision Strategy: Highlighting Key
Words
• Changing just a few words can adjust or heighten the tone you want to
develop.
• Highlight two or three key words in each paragraph, and brainstorm for
ideas for words that might replace them.
• Weigh your choices carefully, and then make any desired changes.
 Peer Review: Key Questions
• The actor Robert Redford has said that “problems can become opportunities
when the right people come together.”
• Revising your problem-and-solution essay with a partner is an excellent way
to use teamwork to make effective changes.
• Have a partner or group read your problem-and-solution essay.
• Use the questions on the following slide as a starting point for your
discussion
• After listening to your classmates, consider using their suggestions to
improve your work.
 Key Questions
• How complete is the description of the problem?
• How well does the solution match the problem?
• Are there any important parts of the problem that are not discussed?
• Are there any important parts of the problem that are not discussed?
 Editing and Proofreading
• Because spelling and grammar errors can make your writing confusing
and distract your readers’ attention, make sure that your essay is error-
free.
• It is often helpful to read your writing aloud to check for errors.
• If you stumble over words while reading, look to see whether you have come across
a typographical error or an error in punctuation.
 Proofreading and Writing Tips
• Here is how to make sure your writing meets the highest academic
standards:
• After finishing the paper, leave it for one or two days before coming back and
proofreading it with a fresh outlook.
• Check whether your essay covers all four elements of a problem solution paper.
• Make sure the thesis clearly refers to the content of the essay.
• Confirm that you’ve done the most extensive research of the problem.
• Check whether the solutions offered to the problem are realistic and can be achieved.
• Pay special attention to the conclusion: it needs to not only summarize the text, but
also offer a call to action.
• Use online services like Grammarly to check your spelling and punctuation.
• Ask one of your friends or family members to proofread your paper to make sure no
grammar or logical mistakes spoil your final grade.
 Rubric for Self-Assessment
Score 4 Score 3 Score 2 Score 1
Audience & Contains language and Contains language and Contains some language Contains language and
details to engage details appropriate for and details not suited for details that are not
Purpose audience and audience and that help audience; contains some geared for a particular
accomplishes purpose contribute to purpose details that detract from audience; has an
purpose unclear purpose

Organiza- Is organized consistently, Has consistent Has some organization, Is disorganized and
logically, and effectively organization but its organization is not confusing
tion consistent

Elaboration Has a solution that is Has a solution that is Has a stated solution, but it Has unclear solution,
clearly laid out, along supported with details contains few details to and no details are given
with details that support support it to support it.
or explain

Use of Contains language that Contains language that Contains few examples of Demonstrates no
helps the writer achieve creates a tone; contains language that create tone; attempt to create tone
Language an effective tone; few errors in grammar, contains some errors in through word choice;
contains no errors in punctuation, and spelling grammar, punctuation, and contains many errors in
grammar, punctuation, or spelling grammar, punctuation,
spelling and spelling