how to make a problem solution essay

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Problem/Solution Essays

• Problem/Solution Essay Example 1
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• Revise A Problem/Solution Essay
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In this chapter you will write a problem/solution essay. To write a problem/solution essay, think about a problem that you have experienced and how it could be fixed.

A problem/solution essay is written to explain the solution(s) for a problem. This essay can describe multiple solutions or one “ideal” solution to the problem you describe.

This content is provided to you freely by BYU Open Learning Network.

Access it online or download it at https://open.byu.edu/academic_a_writing/problemsolution_essa .

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How to Write a Problem Solution Paper

Problem Solution Paper: How to Write

In adult life, every day people face various problems and conflicts at work or in the lives of their friends, relatives, or their own. It’s crucial to learn and be able to solve problems and to have troubleshooting skills to ease situations. Tutors in universities or colleges try to teach students how to do that by asking them to complete problem-solution research papers as a great way to boost their problem-solving and writing skills. Proposing a solution essay as a type of paper is common on exams to check student’s critical thinking and ability to respond with a solution. To reach a solution you need to learn to work through details and find ways to solve problems quickly and effectively. To make the writing of problem-solving papers simple follow the next steps.

Step One: Defining the Problem and Choosing a Problem Solution Research Topic

When asked to write a problem and solution essay you might be assigned to a situation to write about or be allowed to choose one. If the second happens – try to think about someone or something that bothers, annoys, or irritates you, and in case you thought about a solution for that before it could be a topic for your essay; as an alternative – make a list of groups you think you belong to (such as family, school, sports teams, hobby buddies, etc.) and identify issues you have faced as a member, choose one that needs to be and can be solved practically and create a community problem-solving paper. You can also choose the topic for your essay from this list.

Step Two: Brainstorming and Research

Think about the problem or the issue you have chosen and ask yourself: why it matters, why it’s a problem, and how it can be solved. Try to understand and clarify what you know about the problem and what a potential solution could be. To ease your research or writing create questions. Try to find answers by looking for some information in scholarly journals online, academic texts, or, perhaps, in your own library, ask for help from people that you think might help you with the answers to your questions. Try to spot facts and statistics to make the problem more vivid to the readers. You can make a survey and interview the people that you think faced similar problems. In this type of paper, the point of view of the second person is efficient to be used. Read as much as possible about the topic you are going to write. In case of using outside sources, you may need to cite them. Good research will benefit you with a solid solution to the problem.

Step Three: Understanding the Complexity and Deciding on the Best Solution

If a problem is simple a solution is obvious. In case of a difficult problem, it takes some work to find a solution. It’s a good idea to create a sort of mind map or outline to understand all possible causes of the problem. Describe the factors that may be a part of the problem as many as possible. Study all potential causes of the problem that may be relevant to the factors. Create a diagram of the factors and causes, how they are connected and analyze it. Depending on the complexity of the problem you can do an investigation by analyzing causes and also surveys you’ve done before. Use specific examples and facts to support your solution and mention that you have taken to concerns the solutions of others if it happens to find them while you do your research. Try to convince your target audience that your solution is cost-effective doable, and the most effective.

Step Four: Writing an Essay

Being able to organize yourself is a very important part when writing a problem and solution essay. The structure of a problem-solving essay is the same as the structure of an ordinary academic paper.

• Introduction

Develop a strong thesis for your paper, that will appear in the introduction and the conclusion of your essay, the statement that will outline the problem and problem solution paper ideas that your essay will cover in one or two sentences. When the thesis is ready it’s time to start an introduction. The paragraph that includes a reader’s attention grabber. Interest your reader in the problem by giving a frame of the story and explaining how the problem developed and why it’s important and needs to be solved. The tone of your paper should be reasonable, rational, logical, and thoughtful.

Contain at least two or three paragraphs in the body of your paper proposing possible solutions and explaining those that wouldn’t work. Offer the solution that you think is the best. Explain your solution clearly with details. Use evidence that your solution will work by providing supporting details: statistics, studies, arguments, and all the notes you have from your previous research. Show your troubleshooting skills and why your solution is reasonable. Describe how you will implement your solution.

The conclusion should briefly emphasize the importance of the problem and sum up the proposed solution in one or more paragraphs. Explain how the situation will change if your solution is adopted. An effective way to convince your audience is to talk about the results of the problem if it remains unresolved. End your essay with a strong call to action, agitate, and motivate the reader to become involved.

Finally, write your first draft, leave your paper for some time, and get back to it later, review your work and make sure it has all the components of a problem-solution paper and follows the structure. It should identify the problem and the solution, a thesis shall appear in the introduction and the conclusion. Check for spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes by reading aloud to yourself or it’s a good idea to ask a friend to proofread it for you to avoid missing out on anything that needs editing. Stay focused, creative, and original, follow the steps above, and your writing process will be smooth, simple, and flow freely.

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