1. EWRT 1ACLASS 34

2. Agenda
Review: Essay #4
Basic Features
Discussion: Kornbluh
In-Class Writing: Finding a problem to
write about: Community

3. Essay #4
Essay #4: Proposing a Solution : Essay 150 points
Assignment: Write an essay from 4 - 6pages in length, that addresses
the topic below. Use a minimum of two credible sources to support
your argument.
Prompt : 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.

4. In groups, consider the basic features
of Kornbluh’s “Win Win Flexibility”
A Well-Defined Problem
A Clearly Described Solution
A Convincing Argument
An Effective Counterargument
An Evaluation of Alternative Solutions

5. Consider Kornbluh’s “Win
Win Flexibility”
What is the problem? Which of these strategies does Kornbluh
use to define her problem?
 • giving examples to make the problem specific
 • using scenarios or anecdotes to dramatize the
problem
 • quoting testimony from those affected by the
problem
 • citing statistics to show the severity of the problem
 • vividly describing the problem’s negative
consequences

6. What is Kornbluh’s Solution?
Which does she use to demonstrate her solution?
 the proposed solution would reduce or eliminate a
major cause of the problem;
 a similar solution has worked elsewhere;
 the necessary steps to put the solution into practice can
be taken without excessive cost or inconvenience; or
 stakeholders could come together behind the proposal.

7. How Does Kornbluh Address
Questions and Concerns?
 by acknowledging an objection
 by conceding the point and modifying the proposal
to accommodate it
 by refuting criticism—for example, by arguing that
an alternative solution would be more costly or
less likely to solve the problem than the proposed
solution.

8. Alternative Solutions
How does Kornbluh present her
solution as preferable to other
possible solutions?

9. A Readable Plan
 Which of the following does Kornbluh include to make her essay
easy to read:
 a forecast of the argument
 key words introduced in the thesis and forecasting statement
 topic sentences introducing paragraphs or groups of paragraphs
 repeated use of key words and synonyms throughout the essay,
particularly in topic sentences
 clear transitional words and phrases
 headings that explicitly identify different sections of the essay
 visuals, including charts that present information in an easy-to-
read format

10. Choosing a Topic
for your Essay!
My Community,
Club, or Group

11. Your Chart
Groups and organizations
The Hunger Games
De Anza College
Your Neighborhood
Your Club
Community
Problems
Not Enough Food
Parking
Drug Dealers?
Martial Arts Group?
No place for kids to play?

12. Problem
No safe place for kids to
play
Solution
1. Start a volunteer parents
group to offer after school
activities at local schools.
2. ???
3. ???

13. Homework
Writing: Post #38 Identify a problem
faced by people in a group or
community you belong to. How
would you solve the problem? Write
one paragraph outlining the problem.
Write another explaining a solution.