Guidelines for preparing a problem-solution essay

1. The Problem-Solution Essay
Spring 2014
Guadalupe Neve

2. INTRODUCTION
• Statement to gain readers’ interest (hook)
• Context (background)
• A basic definition
• The rationale
• The thesis statement

3. Body paragraphs(at least 2)
• Topic sentence (problem)
• Solution 1
Evaluation
• Solution 2
Evaluation

4. Conclusion
• Reference to the title/thesis statement
• Statement of limitations
• Reference to research
• Recommendations

5. Check your essay
 Is the material clear to
the reader?
 Are you using hedging
and evaluation language?
 Are there words that help
you connect
clauses, sentences and
paragraphs?
 Are you including
references?
 Does every sentence have
a S/V?
 Does the S agree with the
V?
 Are tenses used
correctly?
 Is punctuation well used?
 Are there spelling
mistakes?