This document outlines the requirements for a problem/solution essay assignment. Students are asked to identify a problem at De Anza College, within a group they belong to, or at their workplace. They must define the problem, propose and evaluate potential solutions, and make a recommendation to an identified audience. The document provides guidance on key elements to include, such as clearly defining the problem, proposing and justifying a solution, anticipating objections, and considering alternative solutions before making a call to action. Students are directed to course materials for additional help with choosing a topic, planning, drafting, and revising their essay.

1. PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY (#4) EWRT 1A
The Writing Assignment Essay #4: Proposing a Solution: Essay (4-6 pages) 175 points
Assignment: Write an essay from 4-6pages in length that addresses the topic below. Use
a minimum of three credible sources to support your argument.
Essay prompt: Write an essay proposing a solution to a problem you have identified at De
Anza College, in a group to which you belong, or at your workplace. Define the problem
and identify and propose a solution to the problem. 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. Evaluate a variety of solutions and propose a
solution to a specific audience.
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
• Read texts analytically
• Reflect metacognitively on what they have learned
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
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

2. PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY (#4) EWRT 1A
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
- 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, refer to Chapter 7, pages 326-
392, in The Saint Martin’s Guide to Writing.
For help choosing and researching a topic, see pages 363-371 in SMG.
For help planning and drafting, see pages 372-377 in SMG.
For help revising your essay, see pages 380-385 in SMG.