1. Identify your pathway and copy/paste the Problem/Solution essay prompt for that pathway.
2. Craft the following as an introductory paragraph, much like you would an essay (100-200 words):
Your effective title. A title should entice your reader into wanting to continue. Make sure your title is NOT a sentence. Your title needs to be short, yet catchy. Try to play with words, and use alliteration.
Your introduction/hook.
Your Thesis Statement. Be sure to identify the problem and the solution or solutions to that problem.
If you have one solution, you need to have three reasons why that solution will work. Those reasons need to be listed as items in a series, write them in parallel construction, and state them as succinctly as possible.
If you have three solutions, you need to list those solutions as items in a series, write them in parallel construction, and state them as succinctly as possible.
Read through your peers’ posts. Select one peer who was not yet received a response.
For your peer response, craft a response of at least 100 words that engage in conversation.
Is the other student’s title effective or interesting?
Does the introduction provide background information?
Has the introduction specifically identified and discussed what the problem is?
Does the thesis statement identify a solution or solutions to that problem?
If there is one solution, has the other student identified the reasons why that one solution will work?
Are those reasons written as items in a series, in parallel construction, and as succinctly as possible?
Has the other student identified 3 solutions?
If so, are those solutions written as items in a series, in parallel construction, and as succinctly as possible?
Is the thesis statement the LAST sentence of the introductory paragraph?
Key Takeaways
Problem/Solution essays are very similar to Proposal Argument essays.
Your Problem/Solution Essay needs to put forth a practical proposal, not a policy or opposing viewpoint.
The topic chosen should demonstrate a direct impact on the writer’s life, school, or local community.
The essay should put forth 3-5 specific, actionable solutions and why they will solve the problem.
The thesis needs to name the problem and identify solutions as the essay’s focus, possibly naming the 3-5 solutions outright.
Because this is a research essay, secondary source evidence (research) must be incorporated to support the essay’s claims.
Whenever source material is used in-text, whether as a paraphrase, summary, or quotation, proper MLA in-text citations are required.
Although the Problem/Solution essay should incorporate research, research should not make up the bulk of the essay’s content. Instead, research should be used to support claims that are fully developed, analyzed, and evaluated.
A corresponding Works Cited page must accompany the Problem/Solution Essay, cross-referencing all source material used in-text.
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