Problem Solution Essay Guide
Every student needs recommendations about how to make the process of academic writing easier and more effective. A problem-solution essay guide can be of great use to those who care about their grades and academic performance.
So, what are the main aspects of turning this type of essay into a masterpiece?
- Present the problem and explain the reasons why the solutions are necessary.
- Give all the explanations and reasons why they are effective.
- Refute the objections.
It is not difficult to identify the problems; however, it may be a real challenge to find effective solutions. A perfect paper requires a lot of effort and much time spent on collecting outstanding ideas. We will lead you to success through the process of collecting ideas to writing the final output. When you learn all the rules and finish with training, you will write any type of academic paper easily and quickly. Besides, you will no longer ask questions like “What is thesis?” or “What does problem and solution mean?”
Secrets of Problem-Solving Essay Writing
A problem-solving essay can be graded high only if certain requirements are met. Think about how you can add some humor and encourage your audience to laugh and agree with your points. Besides, have a look at the advice below and improve your skills to impress the professors.
How to Pick a Topic
- Brainstorming the Groups
It will take you less effort if you decide to write about the problems you know about or have experienced personally. It is good if you have some topic in your mind that bothers you or ideas you have thought about with relevant solutions. Then you have a good start. Afterward, make a list of organizations or groups which you belong. Consider the place where you live, your hometown, the clubs you attend, the activities and events you participate in, the sports groups, your job, and so on.
Then think about the groups with which you can identify, in particular male or female, single child or one of the siblings, your ethnic background, interests, height, etc. Take a minute to take into account the stereotypes related to the groups you belong to.
- Considering the Problems
Have a look at the list of organizations and groups. Brainstorm the problems they might experience. Those issues and problems can be related to leadership, type of organization, procedures, rules, ideas, stereotypes, people, etc. Think about the correlation of what the group can do versus what they want to do. If you still need some hints, you can make use of lists of topics online. Please note that a persuasive topic in problem writing requires developing an effective solution.
- Making a Question
Pick several interesting problems out of the list of problems you have composed. Make a question out of the topic ideas. Make sure that the question is not too broad. Have a look at the possible questions related to the cheating problem, for example:
- What can be done to solve the cheating problem at college?
- How a cheating problem can be addressed at high school?
- Can cheating be eliminated during standardized tests?
- Which way can cheating be prevented in doing homework?
- What can be done to prevent cheating on taxes?
- Thinking about Possible Solutions
There are numerous possible solutions for each problem. However, in most cases, students have some ideas at once. As soon as you get one, write it down to have it as a starting point. Then you can talk to your classmate, friend, or parent to discuss the problem and try to think of other solutions as well. Such discussions always help to get the required feedback and fresh ideas. Actually, it is better to talk to as many people as possible. Professors always encourage their students to share the ideas or even have a group of people for a debate over the solutions.
How Can You Gather Ideas?
If you have a number of ideas, it is great! Communicate with the people you trust and choose the one you agree is the best for an essay. Having asked your family members, acquaintances, and friends, find out which idea they like the most and which solutions they can offer. It may happen that you will change your initial idea completely, it is fine! Just make sure that the chosen topic is both important and interesting for you.
Military Problem-Solving Process and Claims
For instance, if you decide on a military problem-solving process, you have to know which type of claim you need. You will do the same with any other types of essays. First of all, write down the ideas of other people and do some research on the basis of such questions:
- Does the chosen topic cover various claims of definition?
- Is the problem defined in a different way by the audience?
- What are the differences in definitions?
- Does the problem show a direct cause-and-effect relation?
- Which causes and effects does the essay cover?
- Are the value judgments involved in the problem?
- Which values are covered?
- Will the suggested solution be able to involve the audience and motivate them to change their attitudes or behavior?
- What are the possible sources for writing the problem-solving paper?
- Is it possible for military parents to be close to their children and families?
- How can communication be improved in military families?
How Can the Cause Be Identified?
Do thorough research and get to know what opinions people have about the problem, solutions, and related causes. To consider the relation between the causes and effects, try to find answers to the following questions.
- Which problems are addressed by your essay?
- Why was this particular problem chosen?
- Which audience experiences the problem?
- Which other groups are directly affected?
- Which groups are aware of the problem?
- Which groups are interested in solutions?
- What are the most common effects of the problem?
- Which effects are the most influential?
- What are the potential causes, both remote and immediate?
- Can the causes be unchangeable?
- What solutions are already known and tried? Were they successful?
- What are the key reasons why the problem should be solved?
Community Problem Solving Paper: Which Audience Should I Address?
First of all, as they say, if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. Try to find the problem that will not only be interesting for you but will also address the proper audience. Your solution will work only if the target group can implement the presented solution. Otherwise, they will be merely irritated with your attempts.
Besides, your audience should have certain authority. If you deal with the problem of low-quality food in the school cafeteria, the students will be interested in solving the problem but they cannot do that. Addressing the students in such a paper will not be a good solution. The right audience to be addressed in such a community problem-solving paper will be the staff or the administration of the cafeteria.
Furthermore, your audience should be convinced, so use proper reasoning. Even if the students do not like the taste of the food, it is not a persuasive argument for the authorities. What they will note is the argument that the food is unhealthy or that the students’ parents are dissatisfied with the quality. Make all the arguments with reasons and evidence to make the paper persuasive.
Looking for Solutions
What is the usual purpose of a problem-and-solution essay? Every problem can have a number of causes, and you have to focus on finding solutions to the most common ones. Do research and answer the following questions to search for the best solution idea.
- Which cause of the problem is the most important?
- Which measures are to be taken to have the problem resolved?
- Can you explain the suggested solution with all the required steps?
- Can you explain why the solution is effective?
- How can you prove that the problem and the solutions are logically connected?
- What effects will the solution have on the audience and the problem?
- Will there be any difference between the previous solutions and the one you offer?
How to Outline the Plan
Introduction: Ensure clarity and involve the readers.
Description: Present the problem for the audience to understand it.
Importance: Persuade the audience that the problem requires immediate solution.
Cause/Effect: Provide the explanation of the problem causes, and present the correlation between the actual causes and imaginary causes.
Thesis: Ask a question and provide the answer.
Body: Ensure a detailed explanation of the solutions and present the arguments.
- Solution: Give a clear explanation of the solution and present it to the readers. Identify the exact steps to be taken, with intermediary actions if needed. You may present different solutions depending on the target audience. Thus, individuals can take one approach, while the authorities can do other things.
- Arguments for the solution: the readers should understand every aspect in the problem-solving process and know how the solution will:
- resolve the problem
- be logical
- be cost-effective
- be feasible
- Respond to the objections:
- The problem is of insignificant importance
- The problem has other causes of greater importance
- The solution does not look effective
- The solution is too expensive
Conclusion: Your conclusion should be a call to action. The readers should know what you expect them to believe, think, or do. Explain to them what will change if the solution is implemented.