This document outlines the four-part structure of a problem-solution essay: 1) situation/background information, 2) explicit identification and explanation of the problem, 3) proposed solutions, and 4) assessment of proposed solutions. It provides guidance on each part, noting important considerations like audience, purpose, and establishing credibility. Rubrics for grading are also discussed, awarding marks for identifying the problem, proposed solutions, language usage, structure, relevance and coherence.

1. Problem-
Solution
There are 4 parts to the
problem-solution text

2. Objectives
• By the end of this lesson students should be
able to:
• Identify the 4-part structure of a problem-
solution essay
• Demonstrate knowledge of the
development of each part of the essay
• Create a first draft of a problem-solution
essay

3. 4-Parts to problem-solution
• 1. Situation – background information to
the problem
• 2. Problem – explicit identification of the
problem and explanation of
why the problem should be
solved

4. 4-Parts to problem-solution
3. Solution - proposed solution(s) to the
problem
4. Evaluation - assessment of the merits
of proposed solution(s)

5. Important considerations:
• Who is your audience?
• What is the purpose of the task?
• Length of paper
• Thesis
• Structure of paper

6. Rubrics - award of marks
• An introduction must include a thesis
statement (problem) in order to merit marks
• Marks are awarded equally, for identifying
communication problems – and for
proposed solution/s
• Marks are also awarded for language
(includes grammar), structure, relevance
and coherence

7. Establish credibility
• Indicate your authority to write on the
subject
• Example 1 : As a first year medical student…
[this is your ‘authority’]
• Example 2: I have been a Registered Nurse
for more than 10 years and …

8. The Problem
• The writer should signal early the problem
she/he intends to solve

9. Establish a niche
• Explain ideas which have practical
implications
• or
• Provide solutions to practical ideas.
• Justify your need to add to the ideas
already expressed – “establish a niche."

10. Brainstorm
• An introduction serves both the writer and
the reader
• It helps both stay on track
• The introduction serves as a contract or
promise which must be honored in the rest
of the text

11. The Introduction
• The introduction forecasts the solution
• The solution will be proposed with a positive
evaluation
• This invites the reader to read on for
specifics

12. A good introduction
• Previews the content of the article and
helps the reader find the content by
indicating the structure of the article
• Introductions are like maps

13. Occupying the Niche
• Indicate by outlining how to solve the
problem
• At this stage the writer announces in
advance the technique or the manner in
which ideas can be applied
• Having ‘established’ the niche, now you
occupy the niche

14. The steps – a reminder
• situation
• problem
• solution and
• evaluation

15. The situation
• The situation (Introduction) indicates to the
reader that the author is going to deal with
important and generalized issues

16. The problem
• The problem is often reintroduced in the
body of the article
• In this part of the paper the writer shows
that s/he shares readers' concerns
• This section describes the situation in
sufficient detail to provide a context for the
solution

17. The solution
• Here you propose solutions to the problem
• As was the case with the problem section,
adjust paragraphs and sentences to
accommodate the new orientation – use
transitions here

18. Evaluation
• Evaluate the practicality of solution/s

19. Conclusion
• The conclusion can be a mirror image of the
introduction
• Whereas the introduction starts from general
and moves to specific, the conclusion starts
with the specific study or technique described
in the article and moves to the general

20. Problem-solution writing
• Lends itself to a structure
• Not unlike a 3-part structure:
• Introduction – situation
also states problem –
thesis
Body – Describes problem and explains why it
should be solved;
proposes solution
evaluates solution
Conclusion – restate problem briefly and show
how it will be resolved