This document provides guidance on writing a problem/solution essay. It outlines the typical structure, which includes an introduction identifying the problem, body paragraphs describing proposed solutions and justifying them, and a conclusion calling the reader to action. It then provides a sample essay addressing the growing problem of teen smoking. The essay proposes two main solutions: 1) educating teens and parents about the health risks of smoking through after-school classes and motivational speakers, and 2) stopping media that promotes smoking such as magazine ads, branded clothing, and depictions of smoking in television and movies. The conclusion urges talking to companies and lawmakers to implement these solutions to curb teen smoking.

1. UNIT-5 PROBLEM / SOLUTION ESSAY

2. Basically, it is an essay that starts by identifying a problem and then proposes at leasttwoor more solutions.

3. EssayParts Introduction address prompt Identify problem (who, what, when, where, why) Offer a solution (you can offer more than one) Justify solution (why your solution is good, benefits of your solution) Conclusion (call for action, for the reader to use your suggestion, what is happen if your solution is not used)

4. How to Plan Identify the problem (narrow it down) and the factors making it a problem Brainstorm a list of solutions – at least 4 or 5 Narrow the solution list to 2 – list accessability andfeasibilityof solutions – select the best solution List as many details/explanations as possible as to why you solution is best

7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

8. THESIS STATEMENTTHE PROBLEM IN DETAIL THE FIRST SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM (withpossibleobjections) THE SECOND SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM (withpossibleobjections) 5. CONCLUSION

9. INTRODUCTION Use a hook to gain reader attention Address prompt

10. 1 ST Body PARAGRAPH Describe the problem. (Who, What, When, Where, Why, & How) Why is it a problem? Why should the reader care? Why do we need to solve the problem?

11. 2 nd AND 3 rdBody PARAGRAPHS Describe solutions What are the steps that must be taken for the solutionsto work? Specific details – who will be involved, where, when, how, … Feasibility, possibleobjections

12. Conclusion Call to action – convince reader he/she needs to act Remind reader of benefits to solution or significance of the problem

13. SAMPLE PROBLEM / SOLUTION ESSAYBy: Kate Phillips INTRODUCTION Cigarette smoking is a habit that kills approximately a million of people per year. It is surprisingly being picked up by countless amounts of children every day. Smoking becomes a growing trend in the youth community. The number of young smokers has been increasing in most middle schools and high schools. Both girls and boys are smoking because they think it is cool. Many of them will take this their trend and carry it for their adulthood. However, this latest problem, teen smoking can be stopped by educating the youth and preventing media pressure.

14. The number of teens who smoke has dramatically risen over the past years. This is a problem because smoking causes big health risks that lead to problems and diseases that can kill you. It is clear that teens are mainly smoking when there is no supervision. It usually occurs in the parks, under bridges, and in town away from their parents. Why has there been such an increase in the number of smoking young people? There are several causes for this trend. First, it is the peer pressure. Group acceptance is one of the reasons that cause many teenagers to start smoking. They smoke based solely on the fact that cigarettes make them look cool. For example, if their friends are smoking, many teenagers will begin smoking simply to maintain their acceptance within the group. On the other hand, some of the young people start smoking just out of curiosity. From this curiosity, they will try smoking, and whether they like it or not will be the basis for their decision. However, I know most of them will not quit after their first cigarette because if they quit, then their friends might say that you are not cool. For instance, if you have a group of friends, and every one of them smokes except you, then you feel weird when you hang out with them. As a result of feeling weird in front of your friends, you now have a sudden urge to start smoking simply because you want to act the same as your friend does. Thus, an unhealthy generation is growing. PROBLEM IN DETAIL

15. One of my solutions to stop smoking is by educating the teens and their parents. Schools could have after school classes that tell the hazards of smoking. In the classes they could talk about is how bad smoking is to your health. They could also show the parents some visuals showing how smoking ages your skin and yellows your teeth. In the classes they could also show or tell the parents what will happen to their kids if they do not stop smoking. This would hopefully convince them to stop buying cigarettes for their kids. It would also be important to teach both the students and parents about the health risks/ problems and diseases smoking can cause such as cancer, emphysema, and heart disease. Finally you could have motivational speakers come in and talk to the parents and teens. They could talk to the families about alternatives to smoking and share their experiences. I knowthat it wouldtake time to put thisintoeffect but it is worthtrying it. SOLUTION-1

16. My second solution on how to stop smoking is by stopping the media that supports smoking. First, we could stop magazine ads. I think stopping magazine ads would be a good idea because teens are always reading magazines and seeing the pictures in them. If you do not have the ads in print, the “glamour” of smoking would be lessened. Next, we could get rid of clothing that promotes cigarettes or smoking. It would be a good idea because teens are always having to deal with peer pressure. So, if it is not on the market or in stores, teens will not think of it as being “cool”. Lastly, we could stop advertising smoking on television and in movies. One reason whyyou should stop having actors/actresses advertise smoking is because teens look up to them and want to be like them. Also, kids and teens are always watching television and movies. Someobjectionsfrom TV channelsmayarise in theapplication, but when it becomes a law, there is no otherchoiceforthem but stop it. SOLUTION-2

17. All in all, something can be done. Action can be taken to start to solve this problem. First, everybody needs to go out and talk to the companies and convince them to take down any pictures with cigarettes and signs of the company’s names that promote smoking. You can also talk to those people who help make the laws for our state and country. Secondly, we need to talk to the companies to end clothing lines that have pictures or words on them that promote smoking and ban television and movies that have any type of smoking or cigarettes in them. Those are the ways that I think we could solve this problem so thatwe can put an end to teen smoking. CONCLUSION