How to write an effective problem-solution essay.

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