A Guide to Problem and Solution

Essays

How to write a standard five

paragraph essay and argue Your
Solutions
 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 difficult. Just follow the writing
process.
What are the steps to the writing
process?
● Brainstorm – read the prompts Problem Put the problem you’ll be
and determine which one you analyzing here
can write the most about. Put your thesis (main
Which one do you feel strongly Solution solution) here
about? Bullet your points that
support your solution
● Plan your paper – pick a here (these will become
graphic organizer and use it! your supporting
paragraphs
(The more detail in your
organizer the easier it will be to Address arguments that
write your paper) Since you are Refutation oppose your solution as well
writing a standard five and or as other solutions. Be sure
conclusion to explain the importance of
paragraph paper you should paragraph the information
offer up three solutions.
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
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
What is a topic sentence?
● Every paragraph in your five paragraph paper will begin
with a TOPIC SENTENCE. It is the first sentence of every
paragraph. The purpose of this sentence is to catch the
readers attention and let them get a feel for what the
paragraph is going to be about. You can do this a number
of different ways here are just a few:
1. Shock the reader
2. Use statistics
3. Relate to the Reader
4. Pose a question for the reader to think about
So what’s my thesis? 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 will a problem/solution
essay organizer look like?