Essay 2: Problem-Solution

Youâll be given credit for each stage in your Working Portfolio.
In order to receive credit for each stage, you must meet the minimum requirements.
These steps comprise a significant portion of the grade for each Working Portfolio this term.
Credit Earned: Stages are listed in the order you should submit them in your Working Portfolio (top to bottom)  Due Dates:
______  Self-Reflection Letter (analysis of successes, obstacles, lessons learned, processes for Essay 1) ______ 
______  Feedback Draft (3-5 pp.; all below work included in Working Portfolio; meets MLA requirements)  ______ 
______  Letter from your Partner about Response Group Draft (1/2-page response to RGD)  ______ 
______  Copy of your Letter to your Partner  (1/2-page response to RGD)  ______ 
______  Response Group Draft with a Thesis (3 or more pp.; 3 copies; 2-5 questions attached to each copy)  ______ 
______  In-class Responses to your Response Group Draft (record group membersâ suggestions) ______ 
______  Discovery Draft (3 or more pp. handwritten, double-spaced, 2-5 questions included)  ______ 
______  Prewriting (a list of at least 10 topics and any other work you have used to generate essay ideas) ______ 
______  In-Class Writing Prompts #___ - #___ ______ 

 


Description
Problem-Solution essays (or, as they may also be referred to, Proposing Solutions or Proposal essays) serve an important role.  These essays inform readers about problems and suggest actions that could be taken to remedy these problems.  People write proposals every day in business, government, education, and other professions.  Proposals are a basic ingredient of the world's work.

As a special form of argument, problem-solution essays have much in common with position essays.  Both analyze a subject and take a definite stand on it.  Both seek to convince readers to share this position by giving reasons and evidence and by acknowledging readers' likely objections or questions.  Proposals, however, go beyond inviting readers to share the writer's views; they urge them to support a particular policy or take specific action.  They argue for a proposed solution to a problem, succeeding or failing by how well they argue for the solution.

To most disciplines and professions, problem solving is a basic way of thinking.  For example, scientists use the scientific method, a systematic form of problem solving; political scientists and sociologists propose solutions to troubling political and social problems; engineers regularly employ problem-solving techniques to build bridges, automobiles, or computers; attorneys find legal precedents to solve their clients' problems; teachers continually make decisions about how to help students with specific learning problems; counselors devote themselves to helping clients solve personal problems; business owners or managers define themselves as problem-solvers.  Problem solving depends on a questioning attitude, what is called critical thinking.  In addition, it demands imagination and creativity.  To solve a problem, you need to see it anew, to look at it from new angles and in new contexts.

Since a proposal tries to convince readers that its way of defining and solving the problem makes sense, proposal writers must be sensitive to readers' needs and expectations.  As you plan and draft a proposal, you will want to determine whether your readers are aware of the problem and whether they recognize its seriousness.  In addition, you will want to consider what they might think of any other solutions.  Knowing what your readers know, what their assumptions and biases are, what kinds of arguments will be appealing to them is a central part of proposal writing, indeed of all good argumentative writing.


Topic Help and Essay Models
In considering topics for this essay, try listing several problems within our college or within your community.  Then select one you know something about and consider possible solutions to this problem.  Decide on an individual or group who could take action on your proposed solution, and figure out how you would go about convincing this audience that the problem is serious and must be solved and that your proposed solution is feasible and should have their support.  Consider carefully what questions readers might ask about your solution and how they might object to it.

To explore how others have approached the Problem-Solution essay, please refer to assigned readings, our class discussion, and model essays. Voices: Topic Ideas (pp. 405-6), Model Essays (readings in Chapter 7 pp. 359-400) might help you as you consider topics. Former student topics include: smoking on HSU campus, college campus food prices, overuse of paper on HSU campus, college students owning pets, driving to campus, procrastination, water overuse, hygiene in the dorms, planned obsolescence, not owning a car and living on campus, modern technical climbing in national parks.  Also, for practice and ideas of how to approach an essay similar to this type, see Voices: Writing Workshop 7 (pp. 401-5).


Basic Features of Problem-Solution/Proposal Essays
(From The Concise Guide to Writing by Axelrod and Cooper, 1993, St. Martin's Press)

A Well-Defined Problem
A proposal is written to offer a solution to a problem.  Before presenting the solution, a proposal writer must be sure that readers know what the problem is.  The writer may also have to establish that the problem indeed exists and is serious enough to need solving.  Sometimes a writer can assume that readers will recognize the problem.  At other times readers may not be aware of the problem.

A Proposed Solution
Once the problem is established, the writer must present and argue for a particular solution.  Be sure that your topic is narrow and that your solutions are reasonable.

A Convincing Argument
The main purpose of a proposal is to convince readers that the writer's solution is the best way of solving the problem.  Proposals argue for their solutions by trying to demonstrate:

  •  that the proposed solution will solve the problem
  •  that it is a feasible way of solving the problem
  •  that it stands up against anticipated objections or reservations
  •  that it is better than other ways of solving the problem

    • A Reasonable Tone
    Regardless of the proposal or the argument made on its behalf, problem-solution writers must adopt a reasonable tone.  The objective is to advance an argument without "having" an argument.  The aim is to bridge any gap that may exist between writer and readers, not widen it.

    Writers can build such a bridge of shared concerns by showing respect for their readers and treating their concerns seriously.  They discuss anticipated objections and reservations as an attempt to lay to rest any doubts readers may have.  They consider alternative solutions as a way of showing they have explored every possibility in order to find the best possible solution.

    Most important, they do not attack those raising objections or offering other solutions by questioning their intelligence or goodwill.