Problem-Solution Writing

Solving Intolerance

Position Statement (Thesis) represents your position on a controversial

topic

Should clearly state a plan for solving a problem or a call to action Include words like “will” or “should”

Ex: Intolerance toward people with disabilities should be combated by including the disabled in social interactions, promoting the positive aspects of life with a disability, and educating the public about disabilities.

Solutions

Your position (belief) needs to be supported by three solutions

Each reason should directly relate to the position statement

Each reason must be distinct from others If not, the structure of your essay will

start to crumble

Reasons Example

Intolerance will end —position

Reasons(ways): Integration Promotion of lifestyle Education

Evidence

Each reason must be supported with evidence

HELLO RESEARCH Facts, statistics Examples Quotes from experts

Ex: Experts agree that “informal interaction between students with and without disabilities is a necessary antidote to isolation and teasing” (Harrison 29).

Explanation– So what?

Explain how evidence relates to solution How will this help solve intolerance?

EX: Informal conversation between people leads them to connect through personalities and interests. Students without disabilities can learn how to interact with disabled students; their time together creates a personal connection and tolerance for people with disabilities.

Order

Order reasons and their evidence from least to most important/persuasive

Conclusion

Should include a restatement of your position statement

Should summarize the solutions and how they will be effective

Should then hook back to attention-getter.

Concessions A good argument will interweave

opposing arguments and counteract them– see handout

Located after topic sentence, but before supporting details.

The strongest reason should NOT include a concession

Body Paragraph StructureTransitionTopic sentenceConcession statement-only on para 1 and 2Concession rebuttal– only on para 1 and 2Supporting detail 1 and explanation/ transSupporting detail 2 and explanation/ transSupporting detail 3 and explanationClincher

Body Paragraph SampleTo create tolerance toward people with disabilities, society must promote social interaction between students with and without disabilities. True, only focusing on young children doesn’t solve the problem, as adults also need to develop tolerance. On the other hand, students will later become leaders in this world, and school provides a unique opportunity for interaction between those with and without disabilities. One way to encourage tolerance is to promote including disabled people in sports. Sport practices, competitions, and team bonding experiences provide endless opportunities for meaningful social interaction. As disabled people often feel left out, being part of a team makes them feel tolerated and accepted. As non-disabled people interact with disabled people, they will see that the person isn’t as different or incapable as they originally seemed.

Topic Sentence: solution

Concession

Rebuttal

Supporting Detail #1, Research, and explanation

Body Sample Con’tOne boy’s basketball coach says that he “often forgets that [the boy] is missing a hand” (Himmelsbach 17). If people spend more time through sports with a disabled person, they will become more tolerant. Another viable solution to aid in social interaction is to form clubs within schools to support those with disabilities. Experts agree that “informal interaction between students with and without disabilities is a necessary antidote to isolation and teasing” (Harrison 29). Informal conversation between two groups leads them to connect through personalities and interests. Students without disabilities can learn how to interact with disabled students; their time together creates a personal connection and tolerance for people with disabilities. CONTINUE TO THIRD EXAMPLE/EXPLANATION Through social inclusion of students with disabilities, tolerance will improve.

Transitions

Supporting Detail #2, research, explanation

Clincher: restate solution