How to Write a Problem Solution Essay.

Problem Solution Essays are something you will write all the time in your work and in life. Get ideas for this essay by thinking about what sorts of problems you encounter during the day. If you've thought, "I know how this could be done better!" you have an idea for your problem solution essay. Sometimes, there is a situation when there is a plan for solving the problem, but it isn't working, or maybe the plan isn't being enforced. Your paper can explain how that can be done.

Problem Solution vs. Argument Papers

These two types of papers are similar and have some of the same features. Be sure to check out my hub on "Argument Papers" also. What makes a Problem Solution paper different, is that the major part of the paper is explaining what the solution is and arguing that the solution will be effective, easy to impliment, better than other solutions and cost-effective. In an argument paper, you might talk about a solution, but you will probably only mention it in the conclusion or argue that we need to find a solution rather than giving a detailed plan. Both papers do want to move the reader to agree with you and to adopt some sort of change in attitude, thought and/or behavior.

Pre-Writing Exercises: Do these to gather ideas and information to write

Pre-Writing 1: Brainstorming. Read the essay topic. Make a list of groups you belong to and brainstorm problems you think need to be solved.

PreWriting 2: Exploring Possible Topics. From your list of possible problems, pick three that you think might work for your essay. Turn each of these into a question or specific phrase. Answer the following questions about the rhetorical situation of each topic to help you begin to narrow down which is the best topic to write on:

1. What is the situation or context for the problem?

2. What audiences are interested in the problem?

3. What are the different points of view an audience might have on the problem?

Pre-Writing 3: Identifying debatable claims about the topic: Pick one topic and answer the following to help you decide on a specific claim. Before you write, you may want to read through the pre-writing exercises for the next few days to help you decide which of your topics is going to be the best paper idea.

1. Does the topic involve different claims of definition? Would different members of the audience define the problem in different ways? Identify any possible differences of definition.

2. Does a clear cause and effect relationship exist in the problem? What are the main causes and effects of the problem?

3. Does the problem involve value judgments? If so, what values are involved?

4. Does the possible solution involve getting the audience to adopt a change of behavior and/or a change of value?

5. Where can you get information to help you write your paper? What sources will you use?

Pre-Writing 4: Identifying a Problem (do any research necessary)

1. What problem will your essay address? Why did you choose to focus on this particular problem?
2. What audience is affected by the problem and how are they affected?
3. Other than those most directly affected, who is most likely to be aware of the problem? How will they know about it? What is there interest in it?
4. Which of the effects of the problem are the most common? Which ones are the most serious?
5. What are the possible causes of the problem? Which are the immediate causes and which are the remote ones? Are any of the causes unchangeable?
6. What solutions have been proposed or tried in the past? If they were unsuccessful, why? If they were successful, why?
7. What are the most important reasons for solving this problem?

Pre-Writing 5: Proposing a Solution (do any research necessary)

Plan a solution to the problem and respond to the following questions.

1.Explain your proposed solution. Include the steps needed to implement the proposal.

2. What reasons can you give to show that this solution will work? How can you demonstrate the logical connections between parts of the problem and your solution?

3. What specific effects would your proposal have on the problem? Explain the cause to effect relationship.

4. How does this solution differ from previous solutions that have been tried?

5. Who would be directly affected by your solution? What appeals to emotion and/or character will you make? How will this audience respond to your proposal?

6. How will those who are interested but not directly affected respond to the proposed solution?

7. Who might object to your solution and what would their objections be? How will you respond to these objections?

Pre-writing 6: Write an outline of your topic using the answers you have gathered. Use the information in the next section to help you make an outline.

How to Organize and Write and Outline

Introduction: State the Problem and Explain Why it needs to be solved

• 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

Intro ideas

• True-life story about the problem
• Personal experience story
• Scenario—imagined story illustrating problem
• Statistics/facts about the problem which make it vivid for reader
• Explanation of problem with facts and history of problem
• Frame story (story of problem in intro; story of solution in conclusion)
• Description which makes the reader see the problem

Propose a Solution: thesis

• state your solution clearly in one sentence. Usually this is your thesis sentence which will come at the end of your description of the problem.
• This thesis sentence usually comes at the end of your description of the problem, however sometimes, if your solution is short and simple, you may end up telling it just at the end.

Body of Paper: Argue for your solution and show that:

• your solution will solve the problem
• your solution is feasible and easily implemented
• your solution is better than other solutions
• your solution can stand up to possible objections

In order to make a convincing argument, you will need to consider objections to your plan carefully and refute them logically with argument and/or evidence.

Ideas for conclusion:

• what the reader should do
• description of how situation will change if your plan is adopted
• summary of what will happen if plan is adopted
• end of frame story
• a real-life example or scenario showing adoption of plan and how it works

Tone: Tone is important in this sort of paper. You want to have a tone that is reasonable, convincing, and logical.

Point of View: Because you are trying to convince the reader, this is one paper where the 2^nd person point of view (“you” or “we”) might be used effectively. However, first person or third is also appropriate.

Audience: Considering the reaction of your reader is very important in writing this paper. You need to address a reader who can actually implement your proposal. You need to think about how you can convince the reader who has the power to act on your suggestions, not just someone who already agrees with you but can’t do anything about the situation.

Finding Common Ground with Your Audience

In order to formulate 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 they 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/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, convenience.

· Which of these needs and values could be effective for you to appeal to in your paper?