A Guide to Problem and Solution
Essays
How to Argue Your Solution
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 essays, they could be a geometric proof,
a lab experiment or political science
question in social science
How do I organize this thing?
Before you get started on the Put the problem you’ll be
Problem
essay, you need to organize analyzing here
your ideas in some sort of pre- Put your thesis (main
write Solution solution) here
There are prewriting ideas in Bullet your points that
support your solution
the pre-writing section of this here (these will become
website or you can use the your supporting
paragraphs
following graph as guideline
Note that you do not have to Address arguments that
Refutation oppose your solution as well
organize your paper like this
and or as other solutions. Be sure
particular model- there are conclusion to explain the importance of
many choices in developing paragraph the information
your organization
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
•Make patches, gum and other nicotine programs more affordable
•Charge more for cigarettes
•Educate families through the media, news and medical services
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
So what’s my thesis?
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 solution
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.
What will a problem/solution
essay look like?
Here is a sample essay from a student in an
English class.
Hot Tips
Make sure you do not act like a politician…
meaning don’t complain about a problem
during your entire essay without creating a
solution
If you do argue for a solution, be sure that
you explain the solution thoroughly and
realistically so the reader will be convinced
Any other problems?
If you want to know more about how essays
are generally graded, look at the “How to
do the basics” or the “Rubrics” sections of
this website
Also, writing tips are available in the “How
to do the basics” section