C HAPTE 1I

Problem/Solution

when you' purpose, is to,describe a problem and evaluate possibre solutions,you will write a problem/solution essay. For -,pr",lir"',rL. dirc,.rrsirrgsolutions to the problem of employee iissati or theproblems of adjusting to a foreign cuhure, you wo f essay.You should organize your solutio.r,

"..ordirrg ,o o

The problem/solution pattem is very useful in academic writing. Forexample, you wabout solutionstype of essay in this

solve the unemployment problem in your city. to

Brainstormlng SolutionsFor each of the probrems described berow, think of at reast threepossible solutions. Work in small groups, and then comparc yoursolutions with those of your classmates.

1' Living in a foreign country can be fun and exciting, but it can arsobe problematic. One of the most serious problems "tir"t

p.opl.living in a foreign,counrry face is culture'sho.k. \yil ways canyou think of to help people deal with tt i, pr"ff.rni'-'Problem: Culture shock

Solutions:

a,

b.

L.

PROBLEM/SOLUTION a 2!E)

2. Many people have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep for an adequate

amount of time. This problem is known as insomnia. What suggestions would

you give to people who cannot seem to get a good night's sleep?

3.

a.

b.

L.

a.

b.

c.

Problem: Insomnia

Solutions:

Stress at work or school can be a serious problem. A person suffering from toomuch stress usually finds it difficult to be productive or h"ppy.

'What are some

ways to reduce the amount of stress in someone's life?

Problem: Stress at work or school

Solutions:

The population of the world keeps growing. Every fifteen seconds,

approximately 100 babies are bom. Experts predict that by the year 2015, therewill be 7 billion people on our planet. By the end of the century, thepopulation could reach 10 billion people. The problem is that there probablywill not be enough food to feed everyone. What solutions can you come upwith to help solve this problem?

Problem: Overpopulation

Solutions;

4.

a.

b.

c.

A 3(O CHAPTER 9

5. Crime is a serious problem in many large cities. Look back at rhe introductionto an essay on crime on page 65. Is crime a serious problem in the large cities inyour native countryl what solutions can you think of to reduce the amount ofcrime?

Problem: crime in large cities in the United states (or another country)

Solutions:

a.

b.

c.

6. Illiteracy is a serious problem a[ over the world. For example, one-third ofadults in the United States are functionally illiterat.. p""pf" *no cannor readand write have many-disadvantages functioning in society. what solutions canyou come up with to help overcome this problem ?

Problem: Illiteracy

Solutions;

a.

b.

c.

7. Many of the Earth's resources are nonrenewable and will eventually run out. Inorder to make our valuable natural resources last longer, *. ...d to conservematerials and recycle F.T ?r much as possible. Urrfort,rn"teiy, it is not alwayseasy to convince people of th: necessity of recycring. what ijeas do yo., t

"rrfabout getting people to recycle?

Problem: Getting people to recycle

Solutions:

a.

b.

c.

PROBLEM/SOLUTION A3A

Offering Solutions

You are the advice consultant for a newspaper. How would you respond to the

following letters? Be sure to offer several solutions to each problem in your

response. Share your responses by exchanging papers with your classmates or by

reading them out loud.

Dear Confused,

Dut Adttisor,

Whp)t I frtt a u,u' to du' uni*l' Staa'r tu thd/ Wubtru

ti*tatur q r nate: fu u^attd, r wo ol/, fi/'L h' ln w - upuhlly uiHt' an

At't'cuicaa'. I hal' flafinel, a spenl, hoo yws lwo i eniry wy r'ttt:bt's

dE ro an^d' t*m reh'trw b J apn An'd, tuaLb. No a o nly ninp n'u nrt's

tabr, u*yt*iry hat d&'gef'.1t44ztlh'tuit(,onoof ny clatses, atr/'un

starai, sat"ly iry ag etil*t o no &n1 l.pi' a &'e wxt, anl, b efo ro Ikntlrit, t * *!ojel,. tt wamt ox'ad/ bwatfuft tAhi but

aloort.litu,r pant'ts aro mn/^e:f'cl z7u7 say tl* 14 *M lowto

hnte oJ aptoso dmj l4h/- itt' lat'u unfo ra'uu*lV, wV p'ateuts aro a'

lifuent stor/. 71u/ cant aaeptfufufut t moildwury tot4tantto

ufii i'r n;t I ayru,s o. zlzy are uuy up: et oil' umnt ruo to fo r9 et ab o o*

J it t'o an^d, AtL o ou plan'r fo r o unll,iry wlun wo i ra^fuu'b. t w fat, duy

a.rs ury tttt tup b co tup lw mp at t/tp ad, of t/o sur,u,rfur aa^d, span/, tfio

t u*r*ilzr inJ apn 712/ fut(k tut I l'l, g e* o u* J i** if r d^o wt reo fun

fortfuu'wnHa.I'twso confwrd'. ft'u,ru/'\t c,lnsob wy parutt ad'd,on't nr"ntto

/.l/,ut tur4o. o n' til.e otil*t ha'td', I h ue I in ail, toat to sp+*-d' t/o ru t

t^y h/tMhi*w. r&inloI mu'|l,bohzppy b^t btdrz' ut4/bl'

stahs) but t'w afrai^d' m/ Puens uou'|/' uttu jt ou* it. Wl4tt

sugjutbu /,^oyowlwofor wp? HELP!!

A32, CHAPTER 9

Dear Concemed,

Work with a Partner

On a separate piece of paper; write your own letter to the advice consultant. youcan write about a real problem that you have or make one up. Then exchangeletters with a classmate and write a response.

READYTO WRITE

PROBLEM/SOLUTION A 33

Analyzing a Problem/Solution Essay

Read the essay below

Energy Sources: A Dilemma for the Twenty-First Century

All of us have come to expect that reliable sources of energy will be

available forever. \ilUe drive our cars wherever and whenever we want. Whenthe gas tank gets low, we simply pull into the nearest gas station. At home,whenever we need to change the temperature, prepare food, listen to music,or watch TV, we simply turn on the nearest appliance. What is the source ofall this energy that we use so carelessly? In most of the world, energy iscreated by burning fossil fuels---coal, natural gas, and oil. The problem is thatthese resources are finite. At our current rate of use, by the year 2080, theworld's supply of oil will be almost gone. That means that if you are under theage of forty, the day will probably come when you will not have enough

gasoline for your car or electricity for your appliances. The three mostcommonly proposed solutions to this worldwide problem are increasing theefficiency of appliances and vehicles, improving conservation efforts, andfindrng altemative energy sources.

The first solution, increasing the efficiency of appliances and vehicles, is

something that manufacturers have been working on for three decades. Forinstance, televisions now use 65 to 75 percent less electricity than they did inthe 1970s, refrigerators use 20 to 30 percent less electricity, and cars need less

gas to travel more miles. Unfortunately, there are so many more televisions,refrigerators, and cars in the world now that overall consumption continues tonse.

Another solution to the dangerous energy situation is to improve ourconservation efforts. For example, all of us must get in the habit of recyclingwhatever we can. \7e have to install high-efficiency light bulbs in our homesand offices and tum off the lights in rooms that we are not using. It wouldalso help if we biked, walked, carpooled, or used public transportation moreand used our cars less. Unfortunately, improvements in both conservation andefficiency are only temporary solutions. They extend the useful life of ourcunent fuels, but they do not explain what we will do when these fuels runout.

The best solution, then, is to find altemative sources of energy to meetour future needs. The current leading altematives to fossil fuels are fusion andsolar energy. Fusion is a nuclear reaction that results in an enormous release ofenergy. It is practically pollution-free and is probably our best long-rangeoption. Unfortunately, it will not be available for at least twenfy years. Theother possible energy source, solar power, is the source of all energy, exceptnuclear, on Earth. 'When

people think of solar energy, they generally think ofthe many ways that individual homeowners can utilize the power of the sunfor heating water and buildings. But solar energy can also be utilized togenerate electricity and to purifu fuels for automobiles.

It is clear that for us to have sufficient energy resources for the twenty-firstcentury it will be necessary to pursue the development and encourage the use

of altemative energy sources worldwide. If we ignore this problem, what willbecome of our children? What will life be like for them in the vear 2050?

134. CHAPTER 9

Work with a partner

Answer the following questions with a partner.

1. I7hat is the thesis statement of the essay?z.3- ose?

4.5.

Writing problem/Solution EssaysReread the case below about rom Higgins's restaurant, The undergrad Grill. In thechapter 7 activity, you focused on the causes of the restaurant,s problems. In thisactivity, you willfocus on solutions.

On April 15, Tom Higgins opened a new resraurant at Benson University.P::1.,1._ t: y"d.,g,"d c,i I l. ril iJ;;;; ;;;;1#;_1";;"u.:"Xll"._:::lil-";+rb",t*.""*."i*,srol.i';*r,r"C*,ii'il'#."H.f; l1l"li.'::.*1".::lr^'y,-r9T:9*h:lh;;i:3tr.';.'.##;il#::;l.:,lsl_1.*f;,r1gurea that this would be a great ro.".ioi'L,51ilili,*,nLr zuru well wort*::':i:T :::jl[11r-e_novarions h. .,."d"J io_ a" ." ,r,. luilding. since

1; ::*.i :: ::::, :* ::,jTlT: " soon as n9* iu,re, ru ffi ".il fll? r.iltli'":::$i::* i:'*:::..l1':"' ;t';;"ii;;. Fi: il:d ;#$:ffi;the workers because he wanted r. go it i job do'ne ;r ;;i"kly":r";#illJ

Essay Plan: problem/Solution

The guidelines below will herp you remember what you need to do in each part ofa problem/solution essav.

Introductlon

-1. Describe the problem and state why it is serious.

2. ri7rite a thesis statement that identifies possible solurions.

Suppofting Paragraphs

1. Discuss one solution in each supporting paragraph.Z. Provide details to explain each solution.3. Organize the paragraphs according to order of importance.

Concluslon

1. Summarize the solutions.2' Draw a conclusion or make a prediction based on your suggestions.

PROBLEM/SOLUNON A 35

{fl#$

W

UNDEDGNAD GRILL

Open ll A.M. to II P.M.

Uegetables & Side DishesBaked Poraro $ 3.00

Frcnch frics $ 3.00

Ricc $ 3.00

Cmmthecob(inwn)$ 3.00Pcr $ 3.00

Grccn beas $ 3.00

SoupsHot and souBlack bean

Frcnch mionWontonVcgcuble

Ent16esFlamburgcrChescbuEerFricd chickcnFilct of frshChicken fajiteEaf fajiuSkimp tcmpumPork fricd rieStcak au poiwcSpagbctti and meatballsChickcn and humuslmb curry

$ 400$4m$ 4003 400s 400

Houss salad

DessertsHomemadc apple pie

Chcolale mo|sFlanIcc crramMixod frcsh fruir

DrinksIrmonadeCoffeTeaSoda

$ 4.50

$ 8.95

$r0.95$ 9.95$ 6.95s 895$10.95s10,95s 6.95st2.95s 7.95$ 8.95

$r4.95

$ 5.00$ 5.00s 5.00s 4.00

$ 3.50

$ 4.00$ 3.00$ 3.00$ 2.00

Crcdit csds gcccDtrd. No cheks.

When the time came to open, he didn't have enough money to do muchadvertising. However, since his restaurant was surrounded by many otherrestaurants and since over 25,000 undergraduate and $aduate students werelooking for a place to eat, Higgins was certain his restaurant would do welleven without advertising. After placing several help-wanted ads in the localnewspaper, Higgins hired two waitresses to work for him. He couldn't affordprofessional cooks, so he hired several students to do the cooking.

Unfortunately for Higgins, the competition was more intense than he hadanticipated. After two months, his restaurant was doing poorly. One of hiswaitresses had quit and the number of customers was decreasing.

A 3G; CHAPTER 9

Prewriting

Work with a padner and

Solutions

brainstorm a list of solutions to Tom Higgins,s problem.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5,

6.

Writing

use the rist to pran and write an essay about sorutions to Tom Higgins,s probrem.choose severar of the sorutions on your rist to deverop into topics for thesupporting paragraphs. write an introduction that staies the problem in a few

;ilT:"".?"Tr_ that states the sotutions you are soins to

paragraph. Final graphs using one solution for each

solutions. rar that leaves your reader thinking about the

Revising and Editing

Exchange drafts with a crassmate. Discuss any suggestions that your partner hasfor revision and editing. use the Revising ctrecHist-li o"n" 75 and the Editingcheckrist on page 56. write or type a revised version oi you. essay.

WRITING MORE PROBLEM/SOLUTION ESSAYSFollow these steps to write another problem/solution essay.

Prewriting

a choose one of the following topics and freewrite about it for 10 minutes. use aseparate piece of paper if you do not have "nough

;or-n"r".o Overcrowding in your school. The generation gap. An argument with a friendo Smogo Access to the workplace for the disabled

PROBLEM/SOLUTION A 37

B. Using your freewriting as a basis for planning your essay, identify several of thesolutions that you think you can develop into an essay. lf you have not generated

enough ideas, do another, more focused freewriting. Then prepare an outline ofyour essay.

write the first draft of your essay. Use the essay planyour draft. Be sure to provide some backgroundthe introduction and include a clear thesis statement.raphs according to order of importance, beginning or

nt solution. End with a conclusion that summarizesthe solutions, draws a conclusion, or makes a prediction.

Revising and Editing

A. Perconal revising. Wait at least one day, and then revise your essay using thechecklist on page 75. Be sure that each paragraph describes one possible solution.Also, check to make sure you have provided enough suppoft to explain eachsolution fully. Write or type a revised vercion of your essay.

B. Peer Revising. Exchange drafts with a classmate. Use the following worksheet as aguide for suggesting improvements in your partner's essay.

Peer Editor:

1. What are some interesting things you leamed from reading this essay?

z. Did the introduction provide enough background _yes _noinformation to explain the problem?

How many solutions did the author offer in the essay?3.

Is each solution adequately developed in a separate _yessupporting paragraph?

4. Are the paragraphs arranged in a logical order?

W'hat type of order did the author use?

5. Did the author use transitions to guide you fromone idea to the next?'Were there any irrelevant sentences that shouldbe eliminated?

Did the author include a conclusion thatsummarizes the solutions or makes a prediction?

_yes _no

6. yes _no

7.

Incorporate any suggestions your classmate has made that you agree with.

A 3C! CHAPTER 9

Editing' use the checktist on page 56 to ed* your essay. co'ect a, the g'mmaGpunctuation, capitarization, and speiling erors before you copy it over or type it.

Explore the Web

Think of a problemcarpet, you need d

everyday life: You spilled coffee on your

book, you have a fl spital' you want to buy an out-of-printto find a solution to your problem. Writea paragraph that describes the probrem and exprains the sorution.

You Be the Editor

The following paragraph contains seven mistakes. Find the mistakes and corectthem' Then copy the corrected paragraph onto a separate sheet of paper.

If you are like mosr people, youaverage one to three colds per year.Even if you do not have a cold rightnow The chances are three in fourthat within the next year, at least onecold virus will find you. then you,llspend a week or so suffering from themiseries of the common cold: fatigue,sore throat, laryngitis, sneezing, stuffiior runny nose, and coughing. Ac-cording to researchers, colds are themost common medical reason formissing school and work. Once voucatch a cold, what can you do. Thereis no known cure yet for a cold.There are, however, several thing youcan do to suppress the symptom's so

that you feel better while the virusruns its course. For example, makesure that you get plenty of sleep anddrink lots of liquids. you may findcommercially available cold remediessuch as decongestants, cough suppres-sants, and expectorants helpful, butkeep in mind that these products can

ages, "if you treat a cold, it will begone in a week; if you don't fteat it.will be gone in seven davs.',

Source: Jane Brody ,s Cold and Ftu Figlter

On Your Own

write a probrem/sotution essay based on one of the probtems you anaryzed in theBrainstorming sorutions on pages 12$191. Be sure you,. """"y has an introductionthat describes the probrem, severarsupporting paragraphs that expfain thesolutions, and a concrusion that summarizes the sorutions or makes a prediction.

PROBLEM/SOLUTION A3S)