Group 121, 124,126

February, 2020
Wahedi Nargiza Gennadevna
 A Guide to Problem and
Solution Essays
How to write a standard five paragraph essay and argue Your Solutions
Methods for structuring an essay
Chain

Introduction
(including 'situation')

Problem 1
&
Solution to Problem 1

Problem 2
&
Solution to Problem 2

Problem 3
&
Solution to Problem 3

Conclusion
(including 'evaluation')
 Pyramid layout:

On top, you would put the broadest version of your problem that you want to
discuss, and when going lower and lower down the pyramid, your problem will
start to become more and more specific.
• 1st row: College
• 2nd row: College is expensive
• 3rd row: College is expensive for people who want to go to college
• 4th row: Each year, college gets more expensive for people who want to go to
college
• 5th row: Each year, college gets more and more expensive for students who want
to pursue their education to obtain a good and stable career
 THESIS STATEMENT
• The thesis statement is a single claim that your essay supports, and it must be
very specific
• It is located at the end of the 1st paragraph
• The length of the thesis statement can range anywhere from two sentences to a
full paragraph of its own
• The thesis statement should be debatable, because if the thesis statement is
not debatable, then you would have no reason to persuade people to think that
your solution is the best solution out there.
A thesis should usually contain three parts:
1. The subject: which is basically the topic of your essay, or what your essay will
be about
2. The precise opinion: which is basically your opinion on the problem/subject,
and why you think its a problem
3. The blueprint of reasons: which is basically how you plan to argue to prove
why the problem is a problem and how you plan to solve the problem
The purpose of the thesis is to tell the reader what
your paper is going to be all about.
• 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 one solution of spanking.

• 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 are the steps to the writing process?

• Brainstorm – read the prompts Put the problem you’ll be

Problem
and determine which one you analyzing here
can write the most about. Which
one do you feel strongly about? Put your thesis (main
Solution solution) here
Bullet your points that
support your solution
here (these will become
your supporting
paragraphs

Address arguments that

Refutation oppose your solution as well
as other solutions. Be sure
to explain the importance of
the information
 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 through media, news and mediical
services
•Make patches, gum and other nicotine programs more affordable
•Charge more for cigarettes

Some will argue it’s against their freedoms to phase this habit out but the
Refutation/ 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
Practice:
Identifying the topic
Practice
Suggestion- Linking Word-Result
Read the letter and fill in the appropriate
linking words
Practice
Topic sentences
 The topic: obesity and poor
fitness
Consumption of processed and convenience foods and our dependence on
the car have led to an increase in obesity and reduction in the fitness level
of the adult population. In some countries, especially industrialized ones,
the number of obese people can amount to one third of the
population. This is significant as obesity and poor fitness lead to a
decrease in life expectancy, and it is therefore important
for individuals and governments to work together to tackle this issue and
improve their citizens' diet and fitness.

Obesity and poor fitness decrease life expectancy. Overweight people are
more likely to have serious illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease,
which can result in premature death. It is well known that regular exercise
can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, which means that those
with poor fitness levels are at an increased risk of suffering from those
problems.
Changes by individuals to their diet and their physical activity
can increase life expectancy. There is a reliance today on the
consumption of processed foods, which have a high fat and
sugar content. By preparing their own foods, and consuming
more fruit and vegetables, people could ensure that their diets
are healthier and more balanced, which could lead to a
reduction in obesity levels. In order to improve fitness levels,
people could choose to walk or cycle to work or to the shops
rather than taking the car. They could also choose to walk up
stairs instead of taking the lift. These simple changes could lead
to a significant improvement in fitness levels.
Governments could also implement initiatives to improve their
citizens' eating and exercise habits. This could be done through
education, for example by adding classes to the curriculum
about healthy diet and lifestyles. Governments could also do
more to encourage their citizens to walk or cycle instead of
taking the car, for instance by building more cycle lanes or
increasing vehicle taxes. While some might argue that increased
taxes are a negative way to solve the problem, it is no different
from the high taxes imposed on cigarettes to reduce cigarette
consumption.
In short, obesity and poor fitness are a significant problem in
modern life, leading to lower life expectancy. Individuals and
governments can work together to tackle this problem and so
improve diet and fitness. Of the solutions suggested, those
made by individuals themselves are likely to have more
impact, though it is clear that a concerted effort with the
government is essential for success. With obesity levels in
industrialized and industrializing countries continuing to rise, it
is essential that we take action now to deal with this problem.
 What’s a problem and solution essay
anyway?
• In a problem-solution essay, you analyze a problem and propose a
method for solving it. A problem-solution essay should have the
following characteristics:
• a problem that needs to be solved
• a thesis statement that identifies the problem and points toward the
solution
• identification of several possible solutions
• specific facts, details, examples, and reasons indicating why one solution
is best
• an analytical tone
Practice:
Read the suggestions. Write the consequences
for each suggestion

Title of composition: Discuss ways to improve

the learning of foreign languages