Problem-Solution Essays

Problem-Solution Essays

1. Brainstorm

   • Freewriting
     • Writes anything that comes to the mind
     • Do not worry about
       • Spelling
       • Grammar
     • Set a time limit

2. Outlining

   • Purpose
     • Develop a structure of the essay
     • Provide a map of the ideas
   • Types
     • Basic
       • Introduction
       • Major points
       • Conclusion
     • Detailed
       • Specific information for each of the points

3. Writing Resources

   • Include the reader
     • Use a second person or imperative
     • Explain how the problem affects a group of people
     • Ask the reader a question about personal experience
     • Appeal to the reader's....
       • Emotions
       • Hopes
       • Fears
   • Hedging
     • Avoid overgeneralizing
       • Qualifying phrases
       • Using some modals
       • Using modifiers
       • Using adverbs

4. Topic selection

   • Choose a problem
     • Affects you
     • Relevant or interesting to the readers
     • You need to have a reasonable solution

5. Structure

   • Title
     • Not have to be long
     • Should catch readers attention
   • Introduction
     • Hook
       • Purpose
         • Grab reader's attention
       • Common hooks
         • Personal experience or idea
         • Quotation
         • Questions
         • Surprising information
     • Background information
       • About the problem
         • What
         • When
         • Who or what cause it
         • Who is affected
         • How
     • Thesis Statement
       • List the solutions
   • Body Paragraphs
     • Type 1. Several solutions
       • 1st paragraph
         • One solution
       • 2nd paragraph
         • Second solution
       • 3rd paragraph
         • Another solution
     • Type 2. One solution
       • 1st paragraph
         • Description
       • 2nd paragraph
         • More information
       • 3rd paragraph
         • More information
   • Conclusion
     • Mention the problem
     • Summarizes the solutions
     • An optimistic comment about the success of the solutions