Writing a Problem Solution Essay

Analyzing the ProblemExplore What You Know About the Problem.

Figure out what you know now about the problem and what you still need to find out by jotting down answers to the questions below:

• How do I know the problem exists and that it is serious?

• What could cause a problem like this?

• Who suffers from the problem? What evidence of it have I seen or experienced myself?

• Who, if anyone, would benefit from not changing the way things work now?

Defining the Problem

Write a paragraph or two describing the problem for your readers. Be as specific and vivid in your explanation as possible given the information you currently have. Writing a very rough draft of this part of your essay should help clarify what additional information you will need.

Identifying Your Possible Readers

In a few sentences, explore your readers. In addition to your instructor and classmates, think about writing to people who are affected by the problem or those in a position to take action to solve it. The following questions will help you develop an understanding of your readers:

• How informed are my readers likely to be about the problem? Have they shown any awareness of it?

• Why would my readers care about solving this problem?

• Have my readers supported any other proposals to solve this problem? If so, what do those proposals have in common with mine?

• What values and concerns do my readers and I share that could bring us together to solve the problem?

Listing Possible Solutions

It usually helps to consider several possible solutions before focusing on one solution, so problem solving requires creativity. Use the following questions to help you make a list of creative solutions you could consider for your essay:

Can you adapt a solution that has already been tried or proposed for related problems?

• What smaller, more manageable aspect of the larger problem could you solve?

• Could re-imagining the goal help you make fundamental changes?

• Could the problem be solved from the bottom up instead of from the top down?

• Could an ongoing process help solve the problem?

Choosing the Most Promising Solution

In a sentence or two, describe the solution you want to explore further. You cannot know for certain whether you will be able to construct a convincing argument to support this solution, but you should choose a solution that you feel motivated to pursue.

Constructing an Argument

Explain Why It Would Solve the Problem.

Write for a few minutes explaining why you think this solution could solve the problem. For example, would it

eliminate one or more causes?

change people’s attitudes?

re-imagine the objective?

reduce anxiety and tension?

Show Why It Is Possible.

Write for a few minutes explaining why people could agree to put the solution into effect. For example, what would it cost them in time or money?

Explain How It Could Be Implemented.

Write down the major stages or steps necessary to carry out your solution. This list of steps will provide an early test of whether your solution can, in fact, be implemented.

Write down the major stages or steps necessary to carry out your solution. This list of steps will provide an early test of whether your solution can, in fact, be implemented.

Plan Follow-Up Research.

Add notes about the kinds of information you think would help make your argument convincing for your readers and where you think you can find this information.

Planning a Counterargument

Anticipate Objections.

Write a few sentences responding to the following objections you think are most likely:

• We can’t afford it.

• It would take too long.

• People would not do it.

• Too few would benefit.

• You would benefit personally.

• We already tried that, with unsatisfactory results.

Plan Follow-Up Research.

Add notes about the kinds of information you think would help make your counterargument convincing for your readers and where you think you can find this information.

Considering Alternative Solutions

List two or three alternative solutions that others have proposed or tried. You may have discovered these alternatives during interviews or in your library research. You do not have to list every solution that has been mentioned, but you should include the most popular or serious alternatives. If you include only obviously weak solutions in your argument, your credibility will be harmed and you could be accused of committing the straw man fallacy, which involves directing your counterargument against an alternative that nobody takes seriously anyway.

Write a paragraph for each alternative solution you think you should include in your argument. Describe the alternative solution fairly, quoting supporters if possible. Then work out the reasons you believe the alternative solution

would not be feasible,

would not solve the problem,

would not be approved,

would be hard to implement, or

would be too costly, disruptive, or time-consuming to put into effect.

Developing your evaluation of

alternative solutions

A Readable Plana forecast of the argument

key words introduced in the thesis and forecasting statement

topic sentences introducing paragraphs or groups of paragraphs

repeated use of key words and synonyms throughout the essay, particularly in topic sentences

clear transitional words and phrases

headings that explicitly identify different sections of the essay

visuals, including charts that present information in an easy-to-read format

HomeworkWrite: finish the writing from the presentation for today.

Write one or more sentences to serve as your tentative thesis statement. In most essays proposing solutions to problems, the thesis statement is a concise announcement of the solution. Think about how emphatic you should make the thesis and whether you should forecast your reasons.