proposing a solution

1. PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY (#4) EWRT 1A
The Writing Assignment Essay #4: Proposing a Solution: Essay (4-6 pages)
200 points
Assignment: Write an essay from four to six pages in length, that addresses the topic below. Use
a minimum of three credible sources to support your argument.
Student Learning Objectives
• Devise creative solutions to a problem
• Evaluate a range of possible solutions
• Learn about contemporary problems
• Engage in reasoned argument
• Convince readers of a problem’s significance before proposing actions
• Define a problem concisely and effectively
• Analyze audiences to anticipate likely questions and alternative, preferred solutions
• Refute, accommodate, or acknowledge possible objections to the proposed solution
Topic:
Write an essay proposing a solution to a well-defined problem faced by a community or group to
which you may belong. Alternatively, you may address a well-defined problem faced by one of
the districts or communities in The Hunger Games. Address your proposal to your audience: one
or more members of the group, its leadership, or to outsiders who may be able to contribute to
solving the problem.
Due Dates:
See Canvas
Submission Requirements:
Please submit your essay through Kaizena.
After you upload your essay, mark the following parts of your essay using the highlighting
feature of Kaizena.
1. Your MLA formatted header and heading
2. Your clever title
3. Your clever introduction
4. Where you have defined and explained the problem
5. Your thesis (this is your abbreviated solution)
6. Your clearly described solution: your plan for implementation
7. Your convincing argument in support of the proposed solution
8. Where you have Indicated and responded to Readers’ Objections and Questions
9. Where you have evaluated alternative solutions
10. Where you have carefully integrated sources and cited them.
11. Where you have cited summarized material.
12. Your conclusion
13. Your MLA formatted Works Cited page

2. PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY (#4) EWRT 1A
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identify the sections of your essay. You may leave me a voice comment if you have other
comments or questions.
Format Requirement: MLA-style formatting and citations
Length: Your finished text should be between four and six pages, excluding the Works Cited
page.
Research Requirements: Works Cited Page
A Works Cited page names all of the sources that were used in an essay or research paper; it
credits the source or sources for the information you present, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize to
support your thesis. A Works Cited page also serves as a reference to the sources that were used
so that a reader or writer can quickly refer to the original text.
The Works Cited page for this research project must contain at least three entries using the library
database. If you wish to use alternative sources, you must clear them with me.
Basic Features of a Problem/Solution Essay
A Well-Defined Problem
Defining your problem for your readers requires you to do the following:
- establish a context for the problem (historical/current)
- specifically define the problem
- explain how it works (i.e. that it exists)
- describe the problem’s importance (i.e. that it needs solving)
- use key words to label the problem
A clearly described solution and a convincing argument in support of the
proposed solution require you to do the following:
- establish the target audience for your solution
- explain how the solution will work
- show the extent of its impact (benefits)
- show that it is feasible

3. PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY (#4) EWRT 1A
An anticipation of readers’ objections and questions requires you to do the following:
-answer readers’ questions to your solution
- acknowledge readers’ objections
- concede your solution’s shortcomings
An evaluation of alternative solutions requires you to do the following:
- acknowledge alternate solutions
- refute most
- concede the alternative’s advantages
- work the alternative’s advantages into your solution
Conclude by:
- summarizing your solution
- reminding readers of its advantages
- calling readers to action by reminding them of benefits and noting the consequences of
inaction
Hints: - present the opposing ideas in an unbiased way, at least initially
- be sure to establish your ethos and use emotional appeals where appropriate
- be sure to use appropriate rhetorical strategies to help convince your audience of your
solution.
- use transitions to guide the reader through the stages and contrasts in the essay
For additional information and help on this assignment, please see the SMG chapters “Proposing
Solutions”