ESKISEHIR TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SFL
PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY: INTRODUCTION
Exercise 1. Complete the outline below based on the sample essay.
Dealing with Procrastination
A: INTRODUCTION (Hook) Have you ever put off an important task until the last
1. Introduction: Hook
1.1. Definition of the
minute, even though you knew it would cause stress? (Definition of
problem the problem) This common behaviour is known as procrastination—
the habit of putting off tasks unnecessarily despite being aware of the
1.2. Background: What
causes the problem, how negative consequences. (Background) It has become even more
does it affect?
widespread in today's fast-paced world, where busy schedules and
1.3. Thesis statement
constant distractions make it more difficult to stay focused. Many
people struggle hard with procrastination throughout their lives,
causing anxiety and aggression. To overcome procrastination, people should improve
their time management skills and develop a more positive mindset toward
B. BODY 1
2. Topic sentence: responsibilities (Thesis Statement).
Statement of the
problem
(Topic Sentence) Procrastination negatively affects different
2.1. Supporting groups of people, creating unnecessary stress and obstacles in their
sentences and details:
Effects of the problem lives. (Supporting sentences and details) People who delay doing
on students, employees,
and parents things face difficulties in completing several tasks at once.
2.2. Concluding Students who frequently dismiss their studies often face last-minute
sentence:
Summary of the results cramming. For example, a student who postpones writing an essay
of the problem and
connection to the need until the night before the deadline will likely to produce rushed and
for solution
low-quality work. When an employee puts off an important report,
they may have to work late hours, increasing stress and reducing
productivity. Also, parents suffer when they postpone daily tasks.
Small delays, like ignoring household chores, can pile up and create
overwhelming situations. In all cases, procrastination leads to guilt,
anxiety, and a cycle of decreased motivation, which makes it a serious
B. BODY 2 problem that needs solutions (Concluding sentence).
3. Topic sentence: The
(Topic Sentence) The most effective way to combat
first solution, time
management procrastination is by taking control of time through disciplined
3.1. Supporting sentence: planning. (1st Supporting sentence) First, breaking tasks into
Divide into smaller parts
smaller steps removes the mental barrier of overwhelming
Example
3.2. Supporting sentence: workloads. In this way, individuals do not exaggerate the work in
set personal deadlines
Example
1
3.3. Concluding sentence
ESKISEHIR TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SFL
PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY: INTRODUCTION
their minds. (Example) For instance, instead of thinking, "I must write a 10-page
report," divide it into sections: research, outline, draft, and revision. This makes the
work manageable and less intimidating. (2nd Supporting sentence) Besides, setting
strict personal deadlines, earlier than the actual due date, creates a sense of urgency
and prioritisation. (Example) For instance, a student who finishes an assignment two
days early avoids last-minute panic, while an employee who completes a project
ahead of schedule gains respect from colleagues. In short, time management with
good organisation paves the way for dividing a busy schedule into manageable parts
and finishing it in due time (Concluding sentence).
B. BODY 3 (Topic Sentence) Another useful solution is to actively
4. Topic sentence: the
reshape your mindset full of negative feelings by boosting your
second solution, changing
mindset motivation. (1st Supporting sentence) Instead of focusing on
4.1 Supporting sentence: deep-rooted psychological barriers like self-criticism, you
positive reinforcement
should adopt positive reinforcement. (Example) To illustrate,
Example
4.2 Supporting sentence: after completing demanding work, you should reward yourself
Good enough attitude with something that you enjoy doing. It may be having a coffee
Example
break or having a walk outside. In this way, you would keep the
4.3 Concluding sentence
willpower to finish the work high, and it would give you the
necessary strength. (2nd Supporting sentence) Furthermore, a
perfectionist view should be replaced with a good enough
attitude. (Example) For example, instead of programming your
mind with the perfect final version on the first attempt, you should finish the first
draft and then modify it for a better version. In brief, individuals can break free from
self-sabotage and build lasting productivity habits (Concluding sentence).
C. CONCLUSION (Restatement of the thesis statement) All in all, although chronic postponement
*Restatement of the thesis results in failure and stress, individuals are likely to deal with the problem by taking
statement
some precautions, such as controlling time with efficient organisational skills and
keeping themselves motivated through giving themselves small rewards or leaving a
*Evaluation /
recommendation space for flaws. (Evaluation/recommendation) These actions will promote a
lifestyle that allows people to use their time productively. As a result, they will have
*Call for action time to spend on their hobbies. If you are suffering from this syndrome, you should
2
ESKISEHIR TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SFL
PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY: INTRODUCTION
find out the reasons behind it and try strategies that will
eliminate the negative effects (Call for action).