1. Writing a Problem
Solution Essay

2. Analyzing the Problem
Explore What You Know About the Problem.
Figure out what you know now about the problem and what
you still need to find out by jotting down answers to the
questions below:
• How do I know the problem exists and that it is serious?
• What could cause a problem like this?
• Who suffers from the problem? What evidence of it have I
seen or experienced myself?
• Who, if anyone, would benefit from not changing the way
things work now?

3. Defining the Problem
Write a paragraph or two describing the problem
for your readers. Be as specific and vivid in your
explanation as possible given the information you
currently have. Writing a very rough draft of this
part of your essay should help clarify what
additional information you will need.

4. Identifying Your Possible Readers
In a few sentences, explore your readers. In addition to your
instructor and classmates, think about writing to people who are
affected by the problem or those in a position to take action to
solve it. The following questions will help you develop an
understanding of your readers:
• How informed are my readers likely to be about the problem?
Have they shown any awareness of it?
• Why would my readers care about solving this problem?
• Have my readers supported any other proposals to solve this
problem? If so, what do those proposals have in common with
mine?
• What values and concerns do my readers and I share that
could bring us together to solve the problem?

5. Listing Possible Solutions
It usually helps to consider several possible solutions before
focusing on one solution, so problem solving requires creativity.
Use the following questions to help you make a list of creative
solutions you could consider for your essay:
Can you adapt a solution that has already been tried or proposed
for related problems?
• What smaller, more manageable aspect of the larger problem
could you solve?
• Could re-imagining the goal help you make fundamental
changes?
• Could the problem be solved from the bottom up instead of from
the top down?
• Could an ongoing process help solve the problem?

6. Choosing the Most
Promising Solution
In a sentence or two, describe the solution you
want to explore further. You cannot know for
certain whether you will be able to construct a
convincing argument to support this solution, but
you should choose a solution that you feel
motivated to pursue.

7. Constructing an
Argument

8. Explain Why It Would
Solve the Problem.
Write for a few minutes explaining why you think this
solution could solve the problem. For
example, would it
eliminate one or more causes?
change people’s attitudes?
re-imagine the objective?
reduce anxiety and tension?

9. Show Why It Is Possible.
Write for a few minutes explaining
why people could agree to put the
solution into effect. For example,
what would it cost them in time or
money?

10. Explain How It Could Be
Implemented.
Write down the major stages or steps
necessary to carry out your solution. This
list of steps will provide an early test of
whether your solution can, in fact, be
implemented.

11. Plan Follow-Up Research.
Add notes about the kinds of information you
think would help make your argument convincing
for your readers and where you think you can
find this information.

12. Planning a
Counterargument

13. Anticipate Objections.
Write a few sentences responding to the following
objections you think are most likely:
• We can’t afford it.
• It would take too long.
• People would not do it.
• Too few would benefit.
• You would benefit personally.
• We already tried that, with unsatisfactory results.

14. Plan Follow-Up Research.
Add notes about the kinds of information
you think would help make your
counterargument convincing for your
readers and where you think you can find
this information.

15. Considering Alternative
Solutions
List two or three alternative solutions that others
have proposed or tried. You may have discovered
these alternatives during interviews or in your library
research. You do not have to list every solution that
has been mentioned, but you should include the
most popular or serious alternatives. If you include
only obviously weak solutions in your
argument, your credibility will be harmed and you
could be accused of committing the straw man
fallacy, which involves directing your
counterargument against an alternative that nobody
takes seriously anyway.

16. Developing your evaluation
of alternative solutions
Write a paragraph for each alternative solution you think you
should include in your argument. Describe the alternative
solution fairly, quoting supporters if possible. Then work out the
reasons you believe the alternative solution
would not be feasible,
would not solve the problem,
would not be approved,
would be hard to implement, or
would be too costly, disruptive, or time-consuming to put
into effect.

17. A Readable Plan
a forecast of the argument
key words introduced in the thesis and forecasting statement
topic sentences introducing paragraphs or groups of
paragraphs
repeated use of key words and synonyms throughout the
essay, particularly in topic sentences
clear transitional words and phrases
headings that explicitly identify different sections of the essay
visuals, including charts that present information in an easy-
to-read format

18. Homework
Write: finish the writing from the presentation for today.
Write one or more sentences to serve as your tentative
thesis statement. In most essays proposing solutions to
problems, the thesis statement is a concise announcement
of the solution. Think about how emphatic you should make
the thesis and whether you should forecast your reasons.