In the problem section, you must explain why there is a particular issue. At this point in your essay, ensure that you do not leave the door open to other causes of the problem. Find ways to make the problem something that the reader cares about and wants to solve, but beware of assuming the reader is on your side simply because you’ve said some things and made some points.
To drill down further into the outline, you should have an introduction that will set out your paper’s structure. Then you should present the situation. Keep this section free from emotive language. Use it to ensure the reader has all the facts, and imagine that you want everyone reading the paper to be on a level playing field in terms of knowledge and framing of the problem.
These components are the essence of the structure required in a problem solution essay. The actual structure you will work with will require a finer granulation of sections. For instance, in the solution section, the critiques will also need to have a review applied, demonstrating their lack of applicability or irrelevance.
As far as solving problems goes, you can use some general mechanics to come up with solutions. The following paragraphs will present some of these logical mechanics
Problem Solution Essay Outline
An essay is a complex task to complete. That’s why it’s useful to break down the whole into several steps.
After this, jot down some issues in the groups. Are you struggling to manage the payment plan for your sports hall? Has there been an instance of bullying or shaming in your school? With the topic in mind, move onto research.
Once the situation has been explained, and the problem elucidated, present your solution. It should use evidence, and you should be able to explain how it directly relates to the question. Don’t use ad hominem attacks or go polemic. Unravel the problem with your solution. Take it to step by step and keep your writing composed.
- Situation
- Problem
- Solution
- Evaluation
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).
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:
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.
What are problem-solution essays?
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.
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.
Here are 50 problem solution essay ideas suitable for any US university be it Stanford or Yale. You are encouraged to get inspired by these examples and create your own topics, but it’s okay to pick any of these and modify them to your preference.
- Stricter measures should be enforced for offenders.
- Students should get a constant orientation on how to say ‘No.’
- Intensified screening for newly-employed teachers in the sector.
- Problem of Violence in Schools
In this segment, we will look at 10 different themes and provide samples for each theme. Following the example will help you understand what to write and how to arrange your words to create good problem solutions topics. Also, keep in mind that these are problem solution speech topics college students can use for their various purposes.
- Choosing fewer problematic jobs that allow one more availability at home.
- Going to the games with your kids
Comprehensive List of Typical Problem-Solution Essay Topics
- Encouraging teachers to initiate home visits to affected students.
- Stimulating parents to take an active part in their children’s studies. They should also be accommodating to teachers who need to make home visits.
- Creating attractive incentives that will motivate students to attend classes regularly.
- Topic on educating women on self-defense.
- Educating men on the dangers of domestic violence especially for kids.
- Working hand-in-hand with various counseling organizations across the US.
- Problemof Poor Socioeconomic Situation
- Better enforcement of security.
- Teaching self-defense.
- Ban on gun possession in American schools.
- Poor Grades Problem
After choosing the opening, you have to write a topic sentence. A topic sentence is a sentence that states the problem and the solution in a precise manner. It can be at the very beginning, at the center of your introductory paragraph or at the end. Some writers prefer adding the argumentative topics sentence at the end. Their motive is to depict the whole problem and then give a sentence that sums up the picture.
Secondly, parents should be better involved in their child’s life. It is the utmost duty of parents to help their children in facing all the problems with courage rather than leaving them on their own in such a crucial situation. They should help their child in quitting all sorts of addictions. Generally, teenagers find drugs very attractive and a symbol of classiness. Some parents do not focus on their children at all and some parents are over-involved that annoys children.
- Tell your readers what should happen.
- Explain the effects of the implementation of your plan.
- Real life examples can be given if the plan has been adopted earlier.
- Expert testimonials, statistics, facts can also be cited.
- Cost effective.
- Time effective.
- Practical.
- Must be clear to the reader that the solutions can be easily implemented.
- The reader must be aware of the fact that the solutions will definitely solve the problem if implemented. (examples would work perfectly here)
How to Start a Problem Solution Essay
There are several solutions to this problem among which the following three can be very easily implemented. Firstly, individuals must be more active by doing exercise. They should get enough sleep and have a balanced diet. Their stress must be reduced. Exercise helps in better hormonal secretions that help in reducing stress and anxiety. It also helps in quitting addictions which most teenagers adopt due to low morale.
After the introduction, you have the main body of your essay to cover. The main body can exceed three paragraphs but this does not mean that you can tell stories. The paragraphs must be precise and clearly state the solutions to the problem. The stated solutions must be:
- Personal experience.
- Imagination that illustrates the problems and affects it has.
- Facts and figures. Readers are more attracted to statistics related to any problem.
- You can also give the origin of the problem.
- Refer to a book, movie, TV show related to the problem.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What are problem-solution essays?
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.
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).
- Situation
- Problem
- Solution
- Evaluation