Chapter 5.5 Problem and Solution
Problem and Solution
Exercise 5.5.1.
Exercise: Watch this TED Talk and then answer the questions below.
https://www.ted.com/talks/adam_alter_why_our_screens_make_us_less_happy?language=en
- What is the main problem introduced by Alter?
- What from the TED Talk resonated with you the most, and why?
- Are Alter’s solutions reasonable? Do they seem like something the average person can do?
- What steps can individuals and society take to create a more balanced relationship with technology?
Prewriting for Problem/Solution Writing
Define your audience

You need to make sure that you think about your audience and what they might already know or not know about your topic before you begin writing. This will help you focus your ideas and present them in the most effective way. It’s a good idea to assume that your readers will be busy, reading (or even skimming) in a rush, and not predisposed to grant your ideas any special consideration. Efficiency and persuasiveness will be key.
Developing a problem
Use the prewriting strategies discussed in Chapter 2: The Writing Process to develop your topic. Consider what problems are relevant to your communities of school, work, and city/town. In your college, problems might include the high cost of textbooks; difficulty balancing work and school and family obligations; or high rates of plagiarism. In your city, you may have noticed problems like homelessness, texting while driving, or bad driving habits. Consider your audience (see your instructor’s assignment) and pick an issue that is relevant to that audience.
Developing solutions
- Pass laws to make texting while driving illegal
- Increase fines for people who text and drive
- Install software in cars that prevents texting and driving
- Drivers put their phones in the backseat while driving.
Organizing the Problem/Solution Writing
There are probably more ways to organize a problem-solution approach, but here are three possibilities:
- Describe the problem, followed by the solution.
- Propose the solution first and then describe the problems that motivated it.
- Or a problem may be followed by several solutions, one of which is selected as the best.
When the solution is stated at the end of the paragraph or essay, the pattern is sometimes called the delayed proposal. For a hostile audience, it may be effective to describe the problem, show why other solutions do not work, and finally suggest the favored solution. You can emphasize the words problem and solution to signal these sections of your writing for your reader.
Example
Writing Problem-Solution Paragraphs
A problem–solution paragraph begins with a topic sentence that presents a problem and then follows with details that present a solution for the problem.
Example Paragraph
Our farmers’ market is in danger of closing because a building is going to be constructed in the empty lot where it has been held for the past ten years. Since the market is such an asset to our community, a committee formed to look for a new location. The first idea was to close a street off for a few hours each Saturday morning. Unfortunately, the city manager nixed that idea since he believed that too many people would complain. Barry Moore suggested that the market could be held in the state park that is just a few miles out of town. Again, a government worker struck down the idea. This time, the problem was that for-profit events are not allowed in state parks. Finally, I came up with the perfect idea, and our government blessed the idea. Since the high school is closed on Saturday, we will be having the market in the school parking lot.
Writing Problem/Solution Essays
There are two main ways to structure a problem-solution essay, 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.
Example Essay
Below is a problem-solution essay on the topic of obesity and poor fitness. It uses the block structure.
Better Diet and Fitness, Better and Longer Life
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 the stairs instead of taking the elevator. 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.
Key Takeaways
- Problem and solution format establishes a concerning issue and then offers a remedy to this issue.
- The audience must be identified so that the problem and the solution can be tailored to that audience.
- In forming the solution, consider what your audience can realistically accomplish.
- Organize your writing in one of these ways: presenting problem and then the solution; presenting the solution first and then the problem; presenting the problem and then offering several solutions.
- The block and chain methods offer ways to organize problem and solution writing.
Attributions
English Composition Language Lab by Christine Jones and Monique Babin, Carol Burnell, Susan Pesznecker, Nicole Rosevear, Jaime Wood is licensed under a CC BY-NC 4.0
Problem and Solution by Ereading Worksheets is licensed for use according to their Terms of Use.
Comparitive Chart of Writing Strategies was authored by Lumen Learning and the Handbook for Writers provided by The Saylor Foundation and both are licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Speaking Confidently by Chris Loghry; Jasmine R. Linabary; and Kenna Reeves is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Advanced English by Allison Kilgannon is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
Problem Solution by Sheldon Smith of EAP Foundation is licensed for use according to the EAP Foundation Terms of Use.
Writing Unleased is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Media Attributions
- Mechanic © UNESCO-UNEVOC/Wendy Obeng is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA (Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike) license
- Group of People © j4p4n is licensed under a CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) license
- Block and Chain Methods © Sheldon Smith is licensed under a CC BY-NC (Attribution NonCommercial) license