PROBLEM/SOLUTION

We are preparing to write a problem/solution essay.

To write this essay, you must know 3 things clearly:
1) What is the cause of the problem?
2) What is the effect of the problem?
(Discussing the problem - the background situation - is up to 50% of the essay Body.)
3) What is the solution?Will you get rid of the cause, or prevent the problem? Or will you get rid of the effects only?
(Giving the solution is at least 50% of the essay Body.)

Two other things to consider:

You can't always "make a problem go away." Think about the topic in our textbook: "Dealing with co-workers you don't like." Most of us have had this experience, and we know that you cannot usually "solve" this problem by making these people your friends. Instead, think about how to make the problem smaller. Avoid the co-worker? Change jobs? Pretend to like them?
Not all solutions work. "Failed solutions" are part of this essay, as well. That means, discuss solutions that seem like good ideas, but that do not (or did not) actually solve your problem. The example essay link discusses how our example essay uses "failed solutions" well.

Please consider these different ways of thinking about this essay.

Outline 1: Go back and forth between explaining the problem and giving the solution - like Point-by-Point

I. Introduction
II. Problem/Background 1
III. Solution to that part of the problem
IV. Problem/Background 2
V. Solution to that part of the problem
(etc)
Conclusion

First Example: In this example, my problem has one cause, and several effects.
I will solve the problem by getting rid of the CAUSE.

I don't have a car

I spend a lot of time on the bus, so I'm often late
I can't travel freely
Nobody wants to go out on a date with me

I. Introduction. Thesis statement: "Not owning a car has made my life difficult in several ways. I can solve all these problems by simply buying a car."

II. I spend a lot of time on the bus, so I'm often late - problem
         A. Bus stops every two blocks
         B. Bus stops and waits for drivers to change, people to get on and off, stops when passengers argue
         C. Often the bus arrives late

III. If I own a car, I will spend less time traveling - solution
         A. I will not stop at every bus stop
         B. I will drive fast if I want to

IV. I can't travel freely - problem
         A. The bus routes do not go interesting places
         B. The bus does not travel on weekends
         C. I hate depending on my friends for transportation

V. A car will let me travel freely - solution
         A. I can go into nature
         B. I can travel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
         C. I can suggest to my friends that they accompany me

VI. Nobody wants to go out on a date with me- problem
         A. I am so embarrassed to admit I ride the bus
           B. I can't pick up a date on the bus
            C. If we ride the bus we will have a depressing date with no privacy

VII. A car will help me find love - solution
         A. The right car will attract the kind of person I like
         B. I can invite a date to go on a weekend trip with me
         C. We can have privacy to talk as we drive together!

VIII. Conclusion: "A car will make my life perfect."

Here's another way of thinking about exactly the same problem.

Outline 2: First explain the problem; then and give the solution, like Block organization. This may be the more common method!

I. Introduction
II. Problem/Background 1
II. Problem/Background 2
III. Problem/Background 3
IV. Solution
V. Solution
VI. Solution
(etc)
Conclusion

In this example, my problem has several causes, and one effect; I will get rid of the causes.

I can't read the DMV handbook, so I can't even get a license
I have no money - can't afford a car
My credit is bad, so I can't borrow money for a car - I have no credit cards

I don't have a car

I. Introduction. Thesis statement: "There are several reasons I don't own a car. It will be difficult to solve all these problems."

II. I don't have a license - problem
         A. I can't read the DMV information
         B. I don't have a car for the driver's test

III. I have no money at the moment - problem
         A. I spent all my money on school
         B. My job pays poorly
        C. I'm paying my debts and I have no extra money.

IV. .My credit is bad - problem
         A. I used my credit card too much last year
        B. I had a hard time without a job and didn't pay my bills
        C. Now the credit company calls me every day

V. I can get a license within a year - solution
         A. I will start to study the DMV book every night
         B. I'll ask my teacher to translate some of the questions
        C. I'll ask a friend to lend me her car to take the test

VI. I must get more money - solution
         A. I will not leave school; that is an investment
         B. I will find a second job
        C. No more movies and beer! Save $

VII. I must repair my credit - solution
         A. I will ask the companies what I must do to improve my record
         B. If that takes too long I'll ask my uncle for a loan

VIII. Conclusion: "It will take at least 1 year before I own a car, but it is possible."

To prepare for inclass writing, you may want to write an outline for a problem/solution essay. You must clearly know: What is your problem? Does it have more causes, or more effects? How will you solve the problems?

Topic: Any topic of your choice related to fast food.