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Problem-solution essays are a common essay type, especially for short essays such as subject exams or IELTS . The page gives information on what they are , how to structure this type of essay, and gives an example problem-solution essay on the topic of obesity and fitness levels.
Problem-solution essays consider the problems of a particular situation, and give solutions to those problems. They are in some ways similar to cause and effect essays , especially in terms of structure (see below). Problem-solution essays are actually a sub-type of another type of essay, which has the following four components:
The 'situation' may be included in the essay prompt, in which case it will not be needed in the main body. If it is needed, it can often be included in the introduction, especially for short essays, as with the example essay below . The 'evaluation' may be included as part of the conclusion (also as in the example below), or omitted altogether, especially for short essays. For these reasons, problem-solution essays are more common than situation-problem-solution-evaluation essays (or SPSE essays).
There are two main ways to structure a problem-solution essay. These are similar to the ways to structure cause and effect essays , namely using a block or a chain structure. For the block structure, all of the problems are listed first, and all of the solutions are listed afterwards. For the chain structure, each problem is followed immediately by the solution to that problem. Both types of structure have their merits. The former is generally clearer, especially for shorter essays, while the latter ensures that any solutions you present relate directly to the problems you have given.
The two types of structure, block and chain , are shown in the diagram below. This is for a short essay, which includes the 'situation' in the introduction and 'evaluation' in the conclusion. A longer essay, for example one of around 1,000 words, with citations , would probably have these two sections as separate paragraphs in the main body.
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Below is a problem-solution essay on the topic of obesity and poor fitness . It uses the block structure . Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay, i.e. Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation. This will highlight not simply the paragraphs, but also (for problems and solutions) the thesis statement and summary , as these repeat the problems and solutions contained in the main body.
Consumption of processed and convenience foods and our dependence on the car have led to an increase in obesity and reduction in the fitness level of the adult population. In some countries, especially industrialized ones, the number of obese people can amount to one third of the population. This is significant as obesity and poor fitness lead to a decrease in life expectancy , and it is therefore important for individuals and governments to work together to tackle this issue and improve their citizens' diet and fitness. Obesity and poor fitness decrease life expectancy. Overweight people are more likely to have serious illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, which can result in premature death. It is well known that regular exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, which means that those with poor fitness levels are at an increased risk of suffering from those problems. Changes by individuals to their diet and their physical activity can increase life expectancy. There is a reliance today on the consumption of processed foods, which have a high fat and sugar content. By preparing their own foods, and consuming more fruit and vegetables, people could ensure that their diets are healthier and more balanced, which could lead to a reduction in obesity levels. In order to improve fitness levels, people could choose to walk or cycle to work or to the shops rather than taking the car. They could also choose to walk up stairs instead of taking the lift. These simple changes could lead to a significant improvement in fitness levels. Governments could also implement initiatives to improve their citizens' eating and exercise habits. This could be done through education, for example by adding classes to the curriculum about healthy diet and lifestyles. Governments could also do more to encourage their citizens to walk or cycle instead of taking the car, for instance by building more cycle lanes or increasing vehicle taxes. While some might argue that increased taxes are a negative way to solve the problem, it is no different from the high taxes imposed on cigarettes to reduce cigarette consumption. In short, obesity and poor fitness are a significant problem in modern life, leading to lower life expectancy . Individuals and governments can work together to tackle this problem and so improve diet and fitness . Of the solutions suggested, those made by individuals themselves are likely to have more impact, though it is clear that a concerted effort with the government is essential for success. With obesity levels in industrialized and industrializing countries continuing to rise, it is essential that we take action now to deal with this problem.
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Below is a checklist for the main body of an essay. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.
The essay is a essay | ||
An appropriate is used, either or | ||
The essay has a clear | ||
Each paragraph has a clear | ||
The essay has strong support (facts, reasons, examples, etc.) | ||
The conclusion includes a of the main points |
Find out about writing definitions and definition essays in the next section.
Go back to the previous section about cause & effect essays .
Author: Sheldon Smith ‖ Last modified: 22 January 2022.
Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .
Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.
Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).
Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.
Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).
Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.
Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.
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Earlier this month, the Program for International Student Assessment announced that the performance of American teenagers in reading and math has been stagnant since 2000 . Other recent studies revealed that two-thirds of American children were not proficient readers , and that the achievement gap in reading between high and low performers is widening.
We asked students to weigh in on these findings and to tell us their suggestions for how they would improve the American education system.
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Focus Standards: These are the standards the instruction addresses.
Supporting Standards: These are the standards that are incidental—no direct instruction in this lesson, but practice of these standards occurs as a result of addressing the focus standards.
Agenda | Teaching Notes |
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A. Engage the Learner - (5 minutes)
A. Independent Practice: Plan a Problem-Solution Essay - (30 minutes)
A. Peer Critique: Problem-Solution Writing Planner - (10 minutes)
A. Plan Independent Problem-Solution Essay: Students work to complete their Problem-Solution Writing Planner: Research. B. Independent Research Reading: Students read for at least 20 minutes in their independent research reading text. Then they select a prompt and write a response in their independent reading journal. | – Work Time A: Students plan their own problem-solution essays, which they will write during the mid-unit assessment in the following lessons. – Work Time A: Students integrate information from different media to plan their independent problem-solution essays. – Work Time A: Students select, organize, and analyze relevant content to plan a problem-solution essay. – Work Time A: Students consider task, purpose, and audience as they plan the content of their essays. – Work Time A: With support from the teacher, students plan their problem-solution essays. – Work Time A: Students quote and paraphrase information they have gathered from multiple print and digital sources as they complete their writing planners. – Work Time A: Students interpret the information they have collected from diverse media and use it to explain how design thinking was used to solve a problem. – Closing and Assessment A: Students engage in a Peer Critique protocol to discuss their writing and offer feedback.
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Supports guided in part by CA ELD Standards 6.I.A.1, 6.I.A.4, 6.I.B.6, 6.I.B.7, 6.I.C.10, 6.I.C.11, 6.I.C.12, 6.II.A.1, 6.II.A.2, 6.II.B.5, 6.II.C.6, and 6.II.C.7.
Important Points in the Lesson Itself
Each unit in the 6-8 Language Arts Curriculum has two standards-based assessments built in, one mid-unit assessment and one end of unit assessment. The module concludes with a performance task at the end of Unit 3 to synthesize students' understanding of what they accomplished through supported, standards-based writing.
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or optional ▲. Refer to the for possible responses. | ▲. This resource offers a bank of possible answers that students can select from and support with an explanation, rather than requiring that students generate unique answers on their own. |
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I provide a clear focus and maintain the focus consistently throughout the piece." . Remind students that this is where they will record stars and stairs for their partner. , specifically "use my strengths." Remind students that because they will be working to give a critique to their partner, they will need to use their strengths. and .
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Causes of Lack of Education. One of the most insidious causes of a lack of education is marginalization, which perpetuates cycles of exclusion and inequality. Marginalized groups, such as ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and girls in some societies, often face systemic discrimination that denies them access to quality education.
Problem Solution Essay on Education. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. Typically, the higher the level of education results in a higher amount of earnings, better health, and a longer life.
Table of contents. 1 120 Problem Solution Essay Topics List. 1.1 Environmental Issues Problem-Solution Essay Topics. 1.2 Social Problems Problem And Solution Essay Ideas. 1.3 Healthcare Challenges: Problem-Solving Essay Ideas. 1.4 Technological Advancements Ideas for a Problem Solution Essay. 1.5 Educational Concerns Problem Solution Paper Topics.
K-12 Education. If you choose a problem-solution essay about education, you can narrow your paper's topic to talk just about your own state or even your own school. ... Answer: A recommendation report is another name for a problem/solution essay. The difference is that the recommendation report is generally focused on improving a business or ...
3. Racism in schools. Born and raised in India, reporter Eesha Pendharkar isn't convinced that America's anti-racist efforts are enough to make students of color feel like they belong.
A problem-solution essay that addresses economic problems is compelling precisely because everyone is eager for answers—especially college graduates. Check out these six problem-solution essay topics about economics for essay ideas. 6. Problem: Student loan debts.
Propose practical and reasonable solutions for the first problem. Support each solution with evidence and rationale. Solution 2: Repeat the process for the second problem's solutions. Ensure a clear connection between each problem and its respective solution. Conclusion.
A problem-solution essay is a type of argument. "This sort of essay involves argumentation in that the writer seeks to convince the reader to take a particular course of action. In explaining the problem, it may also need to persuade the reader concerning specific causes" (Dave Kemper et al., "Fusion: Integrated Reading and Writing," 2016).
Overview. Problem-solution essay is a common type of expository essay in academic writing. These essays are usually assigned to students in higher levels of education because they require effective research on the topic before providing foolproof solutions to the problems.
A problem-solution essay is an essay that identifies a problem or issue and argues a potential solution to the problem. Some problem and solution examples are substance abuse, environmental ...
It is education which has facilitated the sharing of knowledge from a given generation to the next. Education therefore, if simply defined would mean a process of integrating relevant knowledge in a person so as to instill relevance in him or her. Get a custom essay on Problems of education. 182 writers online.
Sample Problem-Solution Essay. Ask for student volunteers to read each paragraph of the problem-solution essay on this page and the one that follows. Then review the features that are called out in the side notes. Point out the problem (underlined) as well as each topic sentence that addresses a different part of the problem and proposes a ...
A. Analyze a Model - W.6.4 (25 minutes) Distribute and display the Model Problem-Solution Essay: "Bridges to Prosperity" or the Model Problem-Solution Essay: "Bridges to Prosperity." . Invite students to follow along, reading silently in their heads as you read the model aloud. Using a total participation technique, invite responses ...
Step 1: Think about groups that you belong to and the problems that those groups have. Make a list of groups you belong to, such as: Step 2: Make a list of problems you have encountered in some of these groups. Sometimes there is a plan for a solution, but it isn't working, or maybe the plan isn't being enforced.
Problem-solution essays consider the problems of a particular situation, and give solutions to those problems. They are in some ways similar to cause and effect essays, especially in terms of structure (see below). Problem-solution essays are actually a sub-type of another type of essay, which has the following four components: Situation. Problem.
The answer to solving the American education crisis is simple. We need to put education back in the hands of the teachers. The politicians and the government needs to step back and let the people ...
Work Time. A. Peer Critique: Problem-Solution Essay - W.6.5 (20 minutes) B. Revise Problem-Solution Essay - W.6.2 (15 minutes) 3. Closing and Assessment. A. Review Performance Task (5 minutes) 4. Homework. A. Review Independent Research Reading Journal: Students review their journal entries in preparation for the Independent Reading Research ...
The problem-solution essay is an essay that describes an issue or question and then provides one or more options for resolution. Learn to write a complete problem-solution essay that has all of ...
Write a problem-solution essay about the innovator researched in Unit 2 and how that person applied the design thinking process and habits of character to develop a solution to a critical problem. ... Central to the EL Education curriculum is a focus on "habits of character" and social-emotional learning. Students work to become effective ...
RI.6.7 - Work Time A: Students integrate information from different media to plan their independent problem-solution essays. W.6.2 - Work Time A: Students select, organize, and analyze relevant content to plan a problem-solution essay. W.6.4 - Work Time A: Students consider task, purpose, and audience as they plan the content of their essays.