How to Write a Problem and Solution Essay With Tips and Examples

When students face issues on how to write a problem and solution essay, they need clear guidelines to organize and provide high-quality papers. Basically, key insights in this article include a definition of a problem and solution essay, its format, unique structure, and organizational pattern. Further on, other essential details include possible easy prompts students can choose when writing their papers, technical steps, and tips for creating a high-standard document. Besides, an outline template and example of a problem and solution essay give readers a practical paper of how this type of text should appear after its completion. In turn, people can find information on what they can include when writing their compositions and what mistakes they should avoid. Therefore, this guideline is a must-read for every student who hopes to write a good problem and solution essay that meets instructor’s quality expectations.

General Aspects

Academic texts are an excellent place to build critical writing skills and develop an intellectual capacity to create different types of essays that others can use as sources of ideas. Since most types of papers are technical, students must continuously expose themselves to ideas and knowledge about how to produce good compositions. In principle, this guideline on how to write a problem and solution essay includes vital insights for students and anyone interested in writing this kind of text for academic or intellectual reasons. By reading this article, people can learn an actual meaning of a problem and solution essay, its format, unique structure, distinctive features, tips for a high-standard piece, and possible prompts, among other essential writing details that include what they can include and what they should avoid. Finally, an outline template and a practical example of a problem and solution essay offer readers a good paper of this type of text.

What Is a Problem and Solution Essay and Its Purpose

According to its definition, a problem and solution essay is a type and form of writing that identifies a specific issue and proposes one or more ways to solve this challenge. For example, the main purpose of writing a problem and solution essay is to encourage critical thinking and analytical skills, including an ability to argue persuasively (Fonteyn, 2024). Basically, this approach not only informs readers about a defined problem but also motivates them to think about actionable steps they can take to contribute to a solution. Further on, this type of paper begins by clearly defining a specific issue, explaining its causes, and discussing its impacts on individuals, communities, or society at large (Caplan & Johns, 2022). After establishing an actual significance of a chosen challenge, an author presents potential responses, discussing their feasibility, benefits, and potential implications. Moreover, by focusing on both an explained issue and a way to resolve it, these essays help readers understand complex challenges and consider actionable options to make positive changes (Babin et al., 2020). In terms of pages and words, the length of a problem and solution essay depends on academic levels, assignment requirements, and specific challenges and responses, while general writing guidelines are:

High School

Length: 1-3 pages
Word Count: 250-750 words

College (Undergraduate)

Length: 2-4 pages
Word Count: 500-1,000 words

University (Advanced Undergraduate or Early Graduate)

Length: 3-8 pages
Word Count: 750-2,000 words

Master’s Level

Length: 4-10 pages
Word Count: 1,000-2,500 words

Ph.D. Level

Length: 6-20+ pages
Word Count: 1,500-5,000+ words

Defining Features

As the name suggests, this kind of academic essay addresses a specific problem and its solution. For example, someone writing this paper should identify a particular concern and explain how to solve it (Caplan & Johns, 2022). Basically, a problem-solution essay is a type of persuasive or argumentative paper. Further on, this text mainly applies where instructors want to assess students’ writing skills and ability to investigate matters and find relevant information that enhances one’s understanding of them. In this respect, a problem and solution essay differs from other types of scholarly texts, including a research paper or a research proposal, and some compositions, like argumentative, cause and effect, or compare and contrast formats of writing (Fonteyn, 2024). While these texts require writers to examine issues and use evidence to construct and defend arguments and observations, a problem and solution essay means one must state a principal issue and explain a unique way of addressing it. Finally, a good topic for writing a problem and solution essay is “Reducing Plastic Waste in an Environment by Implementing Stronger Recycling Programs and Promoting Reusable Materials.”

How to Write a Problem and Solution Essay With Tips and Examples

Format

Section	Content
Title	Essay Title: Create a clear, concise title reflecting a problem and a proposed solution(s).
Introduction	Hook: Start with a captivating and engaging opening to grab attention.
	Problem Statement: Clearly state a specific issue.
	Thesis Statement: Present a brief overview of a chosen challenge and mention of a response(s) to be discussed in writing.
Problem Description	Detailed Explanation: Describe a chosen difficulty in detail, including its causes and effects.
	Significance: Explain why such an issue is important and needs to be addressed.
	Evidence: Provide data, examples, or evidence that illustrate a challenge’s impact.
Solution(s)	Proposed Solution(s): Write about one or more ways to address a presented challenge.
	Explanation: Explain how a specific response(s) can effectively address a given issue.
	Feasibility: Discuss a practicality of a proposed option(s), including resources needed and potential implications.
	Supporting Evidence: Provide examples, studies, or expert opinions that support an overall effectiveness of a presented solution(s).
Counterarguments	Acknowledgment: Recognize opposing viewpoints or alternative options.
Counterarguments	Rebuttal: Refute these counterarguments by explaining why a proposed solution(s) can be superior.
Conclusion	Restatement of Thesis: Reiterate a discussed issue and a proposed option(s).
	Summary of Key Points: Summarize main arguments made in a problem and solution essay.
	Call to Action: Encourage readers to take action or consider an actual importance of an available option(s).
	Closing Statement: Provide a final thought or reflection on writing about a chosen topic.
List of References	Citations: List all sources cited in a problem and solution essay in an appropriate format (APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard, etc.).

Note: Some writing sections of a problem and solution essay can be added, deleted, or combined with each other, depending on complexities of chosen topics and assignment requirements. For example, a problem and solution essay format is a structured approach to writing where an author identifies a specific issue, explains its significance, and proposes one or more options to address it, often including an analysis of their effectiveness and potential challenges (Fonteyn, 2024). In literature, a basic definition of problem and solution refers to identifying a specific issue and then proposing one or more ways to effectively address or resolve that challenge. Further on, a standard structure of a problem and solution essay typically includes an introduction that presents a specific issue, body paragraphs that detail this challenge and propose ways to address it, and a conclusion that summarizes an entire discussion and reinforces an overall effectiveness of proposed options (Babin et al., 2020). In writing, a problem-solution essay is also known as an issue-resolution or problem-solving paper. Moreover, a problem-solution essay test typically assesses a student’s ability to identify a specific issue, analyze this challenge, and propose effective options within a structured writing format (Eichmann et al., 2019). Basically, an example of a problem is traffic congestion in urban areas, and a solution might be implementing a comprehensive public transportation system to reduce a high number of cars on a road. Finally, a standard SPSE essay format stands for situation, problem, solution, and evaluation, and this type of writing involves describing a situation, identifying a related issue, proposing ways to address it, and evaluating an overall effectiveness of those options (Caplan & Johns, 2022). In turn, to start a first paragraph of a problem and solution essay, people begin with a compelling hook, introduce a specific challenge by clearly defining it, and provide a thesis statement that briefly outlines a proposed response.

Unique Structure

Like other academic texts, a problem and solution essay has a unique writing structure that students should adopt to ensure their work meets instructor’s expectations. For example, to write a problem and solution essay, people clearly define a specific concern, provide evidence to support its significance, propose one or more actionable ways to address it, and analyze an overall effectiveness and feasibility of those options (Fonteyn, 2024). In writing, an entire design features certain elements, including a description of an issue in a way that attracts a reader’s interest, an explanation of a potential option, a plan to implement an answer, and a procedure to evaluate an outcome. In short, students should approach an assigned task more carefully when writing such a composition . Moreover, a mistake students make is to assume expectations and rely on their knowledge of other papers in writing assignments (Babin et al., 2020). While there are areas of similarities, most types of academic texts have distinct features that form part of expectations. As such, an essay structure is one of these features and determines whether students score highly or poorly in the eyes of readers.

🔹 Problem Description

Defining a specific problem is a person’s first task when generating ideas about a problem and solution essay. For example, this definition should form part of writing a thesis statement to inform readers early about a paper’s aim (Caplan & Johns, 2022). While using many words to describe a chosen concern in a college essay introduction is not advisable, students should use a paper’s body to comprehensively address an issue, including its causes and who or what is affected. Essentially, a description part of a composition should make readers care about a unique situation and be curious about a way of addressing it (Fonteyn, 2024). In turn, some examples of sentence starters for beginning a problem and solution essay are:

In today’s world, one of the most significant challenges humans face is an issue of [problem], which has far-reaching implications and solutions for [society/industry/environment].
As people learn key complexities of modern life, a difficulty of [theme] has emerged as a critical concern that not only affects [specific group] but also poses a threat to [broader context].
Over a past decade, a persistent issue of [issue] has increasingly drawn an attention of experts and policymakers alike, as its impacts are becoming more pronounced in [specific area].
An ongoing struggle with [challenge] is one that has been well-documented, but, despite numerous efforts to mitigate an issue, it continues to escalate, affecting [specific group or context] in unexpected ways.
As [specific industry or field] continues to grow and evolve, critical challenges associated with [obstacle] have become more evident, prompting a need to use innovative solutions and options that can address root causes of this issue.
In an entire face of [issue], communities around a whole world are grappling with adverse consequences, and it is clear that, without a comprehensive approach to tackling this challenge, a current situation will only deteriorate further.
A modern challenge of [issue] is one that has persisted for years, affecting countless individuals and communities, and, despite various attempts to address this concern, it remains unsolved, highlighting a need to design a new approach.
While [specific group] has made strides in many areas, a specific issue of [problem] continues to be a significant obstacle, hindering progress and creating challenges that require immediate and effective solutions.
An escalating topic of [issue] is not only a concern for those directly affected but also has broader implications for [society/industry/environment], making it a critical point that demands urgent attention.
As people confront various challenges of the 21st century, a hot issue of [challenge] has emerged as a particularly daunting obstacle, one that requires innovative thinking and coordinated action to resolve.

🔹 Solution

After describing a defined issue, students should explain a logical resolution in writing a body of a problem and solution essay. For example, people should tell readers something about a solution in a thesis statement because this sentence mentions a problem (Babin et al., 2020). Ideally, a good thesis statement should focus on the most critical aspects of any paper, in this case, a problem and a solution. However, body paragraphs should tell readers more about a way of addressing a defined challenge, including who or what provides it and how it will impact a situation. In writing, a problem and solution essay should be rich with information that enables readers to understand everything without outside input (Fonteyn, 2024). As a result, all solutions should not leave readers confused or unimpressed because of simplicity or unreasonableness.

🔹 Implementation Plan

A good solution for writing an essay should have an implementation plan because it takes time to happen. For example, since most situations are complex and multifaceted, solutions take time to develop because of some dynamics involved, including a need to consult and budget-making (Babin et al., 2020). Therefore, students should discuss implementation by addressing who or what would provide an entire solution, how, and the time it will take to get results. Besides, these writing details are essential to readers because they provide a roadmap to deal with a challenge when going through an entire composition. In turn, the most critical element of an implementation plan is the timeline, meaning when a specific solution will be available to when expected outcomes will manifest.

🔹 Evaluation of Outcome

The most effective strategy for assessing whether a particular solution described in an essay has solved a specific challenge is to evaluate an entire outcome. For example, some examples may be futile if they do not address a defined issue (Fonteyn, 2024). Therefore, when writing a problem and solution essay, students should explain who or what would evaluate an outcome and key features they would assess to determine whether it is a right outcome.

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Content Organization

The most notable feature of scholarly documents is a unique content organization from an introduction to a conclusion. For example, students can adopt block or chain structures when writing a problem and solution essay depending on whether an instructor has specified a pattern (Caplan & Johns, 2022). Ideally, different patterns determine how students describe a problem and a solution. In writing, a problem-solution essay topics list for IELTS includes issues, like environmental pollution, unemployment, urbanization challenges, healthcare accessibility, and educational inequality, each requiring analysis of a specific challenge and proposed options.

🔸 Block Structure

A block structure is where authors divide a body of a problem and solution essay into two writing sections. Basically, a first element of an essay addresses a challenge(s) and all the crucial details, like some causes and effects. Then, a second section outlines a solution(s) to a presented concern and essential elements, like who or what would provide, and an expected outcome. Therefore, when adopting a block structure in writing an essay, students should deal with an issue entirely before proceeding to a resolution (Fonteyn, 2024). Besides, they should have another writing section in an essay for an implementation plan and another one for evaluating outcomes. As a result, such a format should be as follows:

Section 1: problem 1, problem 2;
Section 2: solution 1 to problem 1, solution 2 to problem 2;
Section 3: implementation plan;
Section 4: evaluation of outcomes.

🔸 Chain Structure

A chain structure divides a body of a problem and solution essay into several writing sections depending on a number of issues. For example, students use each section to describe a challenge, addressing some causes and effects and its solution, as well as essential writing details, like who or what would offer it and how long it would take to solve (Babin et al., 2020). Depending on essay instructions, students can use subheadings to identify key sections or use body paragraphs, each for one problem and its solution. Then, people should have another writing section in an essay for an implementation plan and another one for evaluating outcomes. As such, such a format should appear as follows:

Section 1: problem 1, solution 1;
Section 2: problem 2, solution 2;
Section 3: implementation plan;
Section 4: evaluation of outcomes.

Problem and Solution Types and Examples

Examples of 12 Problems, Their Solution(s), Implementation, and Evaluation for Writing an Essay

Type	Example	Solution(s)	Implementation (Activities that will help to solve an issue)	Evaluation (The expected outcomes)
1. Chaotic problem.	A lack of adequate nursing staff in a hospital’s emergency room (ER).	– Recruit six new nurses.	– Design a recruitment exercise by defining job requirements, identifying interviewers, developing interview questions, determining the criteria to identify the most qualified candidates, and covering an interview date and location. – Announce vacancies for nurses in a press. – Create a budget to recruit additional staff.	– A well-defined and developed recruitment plan with all the essential details. – A clear and precise communication inviting qualified candidates to apply for a position. – A well-attended interview session. – The hiring of six additional nurses.
2. Complex problem.	Poor school academic performance in a school district.	– Reassess an entire curriculum. – Assess teachers’ curriculum implementation.	– Set up a team to reassess a curriculum. – Identify some weaknesses of a curriculum. – Propose recommendations. – Assess teachers’ commitment to a curriculum.	– A team is in place tasked with reassessing a curriculum. – An assessment team has defined some shortcomings of a curriculum, including misalignment with the school district’s students’ academic assessment criteria. – An entire proposal by an assessment team indicates a need to redesign a curriculum to reflect the school district’s students’ academic assessment protocols.
3. Complicated problem.	Healthcare professionals experience nurse burnout.	– Hire more nurses. – Introduce more shifts to reduce nurses’ working hours. – Introduce spiritual programs that teach meditation.	– The human resource (HR) department establishes a committee to review nurses’ working conditions and table recommendations on how to solve a challenge within six months.	– A committee of 6 individuals exists with a mandate to review nurses working conditions. – It meets twice a week, and there is evidence of minutes for every meeting.
4. Social problem.	– Most psychologists have a couple therapy sessions every week. – Counselors and social workers actively resolve community issues, including domestic violence. – The criminal justice system has set up a task force to address all forms of domestic violence.	– Establish reproductive health education programs in high schools. – Mobilize adolescents for community work. – Involve social workers in counseling teenagers.	– Engage community stakeholders to create linkages between education, healthcare, and social work. – Build a community center for youth.	– Community leaders are constantly engaging people’s representatives in local assemblies to advocate for legal interventions, such as legislation and other policies targeting the youth. – There is a forum for school administrators, healthcare professionals, and social workers to deliberate on youth issues.
5. Family problem.	Increased cases of intimate partner violence.	– Couple therapy. – Divorce or separation. – Prosecution of perpetrators.	– Therapy sessions by family psychologists. – Involvement of counselors and social workers in community affairs. – Family courts. – Law enforcement patrols in communities to arrest perpetrators of intimate partner violence.	– Most psychologists have couple therapy sessions every week. – Counselors and social workers actively resolve community issues, including domestic violence. – The criminal justice system has set up a task force to address all forms of domestic violence.
6. Health problem.	Increase in cases of substance abuse among a youth population.	– Development of youth empowerment policy frameworks. – Disruption of a drub supply chain. – Rehabilitation programs for drug addiction.	– The local, state, and federal governments pass laws targeting youth empowerment. – Law enforcement agencies identify all persons involved in an illicit drug supply chain. – Hospitals establish rehabilitation programs for drug addiction.	– There are laws in place facilitating youth empowerment, including internships, job-focused training, and skills development. – Police departments have set up drug enforcement taskforces targeting the manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and peddlers of illicit drugs. – Public and private hospitals have in-house rehabilitation programs targeting people with drug use disorders.
7. Homelessness problem.	Many people do not have places to live.	– Massive affordable housing. – Cash transfer for homeless senior citizens. – Rent-regulation policies.	– Government land offers to private housing developers. – Government-funded affordable housing projects. – Legislation targeting financial assistance to homeless senior citizens. – Legislation regulating rent in cities.	– The government has established land incentives for private housing developers. – The government has identified public land parcels for affordable housing projects. – Registration of private housing developers. – The government has created a budget for financial assistance to homeless, elderly persons. – Registration of homeless senior citizens.
8. Legal problem.	When someone runs away from a police officer, this action means crime.	– Community policing. – Police patrols in high-crime areas. – Time-bound amnesty for surrender or unregistered firearms.	– Partnership between law enforcement and a community to arrest criminal activities. – Increased police presence in high-crime areas. – Community-led collection of unregistered firearms without legal consequences for holders.	– Some members of the public have volunteered to collaborate with law enforcement to identify criminals in a community. – Establishment of an interagency task force aiming at frequent patrols in high-crime neighborhoods. – Increased arrests and prosecution of criminals. – The government has announced a three months amnesty for anyone who turns in an unregistered firearm. – The surrender of a high number of unregistered firearms.
9. Corruption problem.	In public offices, representatives take illegal money.	– Prosecution of corrupt public officials. – Lifestyle audit for high-ranking public officials. – A toll-free number for the public to report corrupt practices like bribery. – Training of public officials on professional ethics.	– Increased focus by the justice department on unethical conduct in public service. – Wealth declaration by high-ranking public officials. – Initiatives increasing awareness of some dangers of corruption in society. – Integrating professional ethics in training programs for public service employees.	– Appointment of a special prosecutor to deal with corruption cases in public service. – Freezing of assets for public officials who cannot account for their wealth. – Publications in public buildings and offices, such as pamphlets, asking people to report corruption incidences. – Establishment of a whistleblower program in public service. – Regular seminars on professional ethics for public service employees.
10. Road problem.	A high rate of automobile accidents.	– Increased traffic patrol. – Arrest and prosecution of drunk drivers. – Impounding unroadworthy cars. – Mandatory driving tests for drivers charged with traffic offenses.	– The police department should increase the number of traffic marshals on busy highways. – Impromptu monthly vehicle inspections. – Suspension of driving licenses for drivers charged with serious traffic offenses.	– A high number of traffic marshals on busy highways. – Conviction of a person on DUI charges. – A monthly vehicle inspection initiative. – Retraining of drivers charged with serious traffic offenses.
11. Easy problem.	People have a lack of morale in the workplace.	– A review of employee salaries and benefits. Improvement of working conditions. – Establishment of workplace programs targeting staff rejuvenation. – Elimination of communication barriers in the organizational hierarchy.	– Reconciling employee compensation with a workload for each job category. – Provision of necessary support to employees across all cadres. – Building recreational facilities and programs for staff and their families. – Rewarding high performance through family-oriented holiday packages. – Adoption of the open-door policy.	– There is an improved worker compensation commensurate with the workload for every job category. – An improved work environment focused on health and safety. – There is a weekend-only on-site entertainment program for staff and their families. – An established staff motivation initiative rewards high-performing employees with a five-day international and three-day local family holiday. – Employees can raise issues with their managers without unnecessary bureaucracy.
12. Education problem.	Insufficient funding of public schools.	– Legislation specifying the budgetary allocation for every school in a district. – Accountability and transparency in school funding. – Regular audit of school accounts.	– Focus by elected leaders on increasing budgets for each public school, using student population as the criteria for increased funding. – Appointment of auditors for a school district.	– Local and state assemblies are or have debated bills on school funding. – The education department has appointed auditors to audit school accounts for all schools in the district.

Prompts

Choosing good essay topics is a first task when writing an academic paper, and it determines whether students have an easy or hard time generating ideas and putting them together coherently. Therefore, they should know that selecting problem and solution essay prompts can mean the difference between a below-average and an excellent document. Before deciding on a specific writing theme, one should read widely to seek knowledge on what topics are easy to understand and which can complicate producing a high-standard paper (Fonteyn, 2024). In turn, the following list comprises easy topics students can choose from when writing a problem and solution essay because they require authors to describe a specific challenge, state an option for a resolution and how to implement it, and evaluate further outcomes.

Reducing Plastic Waste in the Ocean: An Innovative Approach
The Obesity Epidemic: Simple Lifestyle Changes for Better
Discussing Some Effects of Internet Addiction on Students and What Parents and School Administrators Can Do to Protect Learners
What Are Side Effects of Prolonged Use of Painkillers, and How Can Governments Intervene?
Discussing Student Loan Debt as a Burden to Graduates and How the Government Can Lighten It
Exploring How Illegal Immigration Affects Natural Citizens and Solutions to a Problem
Evaluating an Impact of Substance Abuse on Pregnant Women and What Health Professionals Can Do to Protect Mothers and an Unborn From Harm
What Causes Teen Pregnancy, and How Can Communities Prevent It?

Outline Template

Title: Unique Topic

I. Introduction

Hook: Begin with a statement starting with a quotation, striking example, or brief anecdote to capture a reader’s attention and stir their interest to know more about a chosen topic.
Context: Write about a brief background of a specific concern and its development, including when and how it started, a potential cause, and who or what it affects.
Thesis: State an idea(s) that guide the rest of a paper, pointing to an issue and a possible response for writing an essay.

II. Body of an Essay

A. Problem:

Describe a chosen problem in depth, focusing on some causes and statistical evidence.
Explain some effects of a presented issue, including people or other entities it affects and how.

B. Solution(s):

Explore a possible logical solution(s) and some weaknesses.
State an ideal solution(s) to a discussed issue.

III. Conclusion

Write about some deductions about a problem and solution(s).
Summarize main points of a problem and solution essay.
Reinforce a thesis.
End with a call to action that enlightens readers about the problem and possible solution(s).

List of References

Include citations of all sources used for writing a problem and solution essay and follow standard rules of APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, or Harvard formats.

Problem and Solution Essay Example

Topic: Discuss Student Loan Debt as a Burden to Graduates and How the Government Can Lighten It

Introduction

The high cost of college education is historically out of reach for a majority population. Officials in America enacted legislation to facilitate loans to individuals who see a college education as a pathway to economic mobility. Although student loans have helped millions to come closer to experiencing the American Dream, repaying it is burdensome to graduates, and some stakeholders believe loan forgiveness is the best solution.

Body

A. Problem

Student loan debt results from a government’s effort to assist millions of Americans in attaining a college education despite their socioeconomic status. Any day of the week, a review of the mass media will reveal sentiments from various quarters about student loan debt and how it has made graduates’ lives a nightmare. For example, multiple reports show that most people graduating from higher education enter the job market yearly with a loan burden (Sinha et al., 2024). These reports indicate the adverse effects of this condition, including sinking individuals into financial slavery and making a high standard of living a mirage. Arguably, people can conclude that a college education is no longer a pathway to the American Dream but one to economic slavery.

B. Solution

Since Joe Biden assumed the presidency, a section of congressional members has called for the federal government to adopt loan forgiveness to make life bearable for many graduates. Ideally, this intervention means the federal government owning up student loans in the market to free graduates from loan repayment, which has proven to be a significant barrier to financial independence and a high living standard (Mitchell, 2022). While this solution is commendable, it has several weaknesses. Firstly, this response does not solve an actual essence of an issue but transfers it from individual to government levels. Since the government gets money through taxation, student loan forgiveness will become a problem for taxpayers. Secondly, this option does not address why people seek student loans, meaning an issue will continue manifesting. Another solution to a problem that most people believe is ideal is making the necessary arrangements, including legal ones, to make student loan repayment part of employment benefits (Deller & Parr, 2021). Such a response recognizes that almost every graduate entering the job market has a student loan repayment obligation. Therefore, employers should make loan repayment an employment benefit and kill two birds with one stone, which means attracting the best candidates and retaining them because of improved life satisfaction. Companies are constantly losing their best employees because most skilled workers are always searching for an employer with the best compensation package (Mitchell, 2022). As a result, making student loan repayment an employment benefit, like health insurance, will make an employer a dream workplace for most graduates because everyone wants a burden off their shoulders.

Conclusion

Student loan debt is a burden to most graduates, and the federal government and employers can help lighten it for millions of Americans. The media shows how loan repayment has sunk a majority of graduates into financial slavery and made the American Dream just that, a dream. Loan forgiveness by the federal government can help to lighten such a burden. However, making loan repayment an employment benefit is the best solution because it does not transfer an entire obligation to a taxpayer. Therefore, legislators should refocus their efforts on loan forgiveness and consider how loan repayment can become part of employment benefits.

List of References

Deller, S., & Parr, J. (2021). Does student loan debt hinder community well-being? International Journal of Community Well-Being, 4(2), 263–285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42413-020-00107-1

Mitchell, J. (2022). The debt trap: How student loans became a national catastrophe. Simon & Schuster Paperbacks.

Sinha, G. R., Viswanathan, M., & Larrison, C. R. (2024). Student loan debt and mental health: A comprehensive review of scholarly literature from 1900 to 2019. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 21(3), 363–393. https://doi.org/10.1080/26408066.2023.2299019

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Steps on How to Write a Problem and Solution Essay

Writing scholarly papers or essays is a technical process that requires an in-depth understanding of certain conventions. Basically, these conventions include following a prescribed essay outline; formatting in APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago/Turabian; using an active voice; adopting a formal tone; writing papers without grammar or format errors; and producing papers with a logical order of ideas and thought (Fonteyn, 2024). In writing, students should capture these details in various sections of their essays. Moreover, the purpose of a problem and solution paragraph is to clearly identify a specific issue and propose one or more practical options, aiming to inform or persuade readers about how this challenge can be effectively addressed (Babin et al., 2020). Ideally, a writing process happens in steps, each with its demands that form an instructor’s assessment criteria. Thus, the main steps for writing a great problem and solution essay are preparation, stage setup, document writing, and wrap-up.

Step 1: Preparation

Preparation is a first step in writing a problem and solution essay, requiring students to focus on several details. For example, a first aspect is defining a unique topic if assignment instructions do not specify it (Babin et al., 2020). Basically, a key secret to a good topic is to identify a problem one cares about deeply that has practical solutions. On the other hand, writing about a specific problem that cannot be solved would be frustrating because it would defeat the purpose of a problem and solution essay. Further on, when defining a topic and generating ideas, students should consider an intended audience to determine whether to use simple or technical language (Fonteyn, 2024). In principle, the most effective strategy for writing essays is to incubate ideas while learning habitually. Moreover, the best and most effective way to start a solution paragraph in any essay is by clearly introducing a specific option with a transitional phrase, such as “One effective way to address this problem is by…” or “A viable solution to this issue is…” followed by a concise explanation of a proposed response (Caplan & Johns, 2022). In turn, course content is rich in ideas one can use to construct topics usable when professors issue instructions to write a paper for assessment.

Step 2: Stage Setup

Setting a stage is a second step of writing a problem and solution essay. For example, a first task for students is to find credible sources (Caplan & Johns, 2022). In this writing task, learners should research widely and identify materials relating to a topic to generate ideas and write their essays. Further on, the best approach is to read several reliable sources while making notes (Fonteyn, 2024). Besides, students should focus on materials that help them to construct a specific topic that addresses a problem with possible solutions to write about. In turn, a next task is to create a clear outline according to the one above. In an informative essay, problem and solution sections identify an issue and then explain possible methods or strategies to resolve it, aiming to educate readers about its significance and an overall effectiveness of proposed options (Babin et al., 2020). However, someone may decide to follow block or chain writing structures in a paper’s body. As a result, an entire choice will depend on a specific number of problems and solutions, but a chain structure is best suited for an essay addressing several issues and resolutions because it provides a logical flow.

Step 3: A Writing Process

A third step in writing a problem and solution essay is to begin typing words, focusing on producing an initial draft. For example, this first draft allows students to organize all ideas into a coherent paper (Babin et al., 2020). After completing a document, students should read it and confirm if all the ideas are sufficient. If some ideas are irrelevant, they should add more academic sources. However, if there are too many ideas, one should delete some irrelevant sources (Fleckenstein et al., 2020). In writing, students should also alter their essay outlines after adding or deleting sources to fit their ideas. Basically, people may switch from a block format to a chain writing structure in their essays if they find more problems and solutions and vice versa if some concerns and options are reduced significantly (Fonteyn, 2024). Finally, a last task in this step is to create a well-organized thesis summarizing a paper’s objective, mentioning some problem(s) and solution(s).

Writing an Introduction

In a first section, students should focus on a hook, background information, and a thesis when writing an introduction paragraph for a problem and solution essay. Basically, a hook is a statement that grabs a reader’s attention and stirs their interest in reading an entire text (Babin et al., 2020). In writing, background information tells a unique context of a chosen topic by stating why a problem is a matter of concern to an author, a reader, and a broader society. Then, a thesis tells a target audience a main reason for organizing an essay. For example, to write a problem and solution statement, people clearly identify a chosen issue, explain its significance, and then propose one or more actionable options to address it (Heffernan & Teufel, 2018). As a last sentence in an introduction paragraph, a central thesis gives readers a sneak peek into a main argument that is a primary focus of body paragraphs.

Writing Body Paragraphs

A body section is the most comprehensive section of a problem and solution essay because it comprehensively describes key problem(s) and solution(s). For example, to write a good problem and solution paragraph, people clearly state an assigned issue, provide evidence or examples to illustrate this challenge, then propose a specific response and explain how such an option effectively addresses a discussed concern (Caplan & Johns, 2022). In writing, students can adopt block or chain structures depending on a specific number of problems and solutions. Further on, an important detail to consider is ensuring each paragraph writing has a topic sentence that identifies an idea relating to a central thesis statement (Fonteyn, 2024). The rest of the paragraph in an essay should focus on supporting a single idea through evidence-based writing. In short, students should use evidence from various sources, such as government websites and research materials (Babin et al., 2020). Moreover, one should cite such evidence in an applicable format: APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago/Turabian. In principle, the end of each paragraph should have a transition that allows for a logical flow to a next part or section. Finally, depending on a defined college essay length and its writing, people can use headings and sub-headings to organize a body section.

Writing a Conclusion

As the term suggests, a conclusion section is a last paragraph of a problem and solution essay. In writing, authors should end their papers by reminding readers of a thesis with a summary of main points (Caplan & Johns, 2022). Essentially, a conclusion paragraph of an essay should restate discussed problem(s) and solution(s) and make a call to action that allows readers to formulate ideas of what society should do to make the issue(s) less severe and the options(s) sustainable.

Step 4: Wrap-Up

A wrap-up activity is a last step of writing a problem and solution essay, and it is all about perfecting an initial draft document to make a paper a final one. Basically, a first task is to read and reread a problem and solution essay to identify and revise writing or other mistakes. For example, a revision process of an essay and its writing should involve rearranging words and sentences to eliminate an illogical flow of ideas and thoughts (Fonteyn, 2024). Moreover, a next task is to edit essays by fixing grammatical and formatting errors, including missing punctuation or wrong citations. In case of formatting, students should adopt one style, like APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago/Turabian, or others, in writing a whole essay since each one is unique.

For example, when citing a book, citations should read as follows for each type:

📕 APA Citation for a Book

References entry:

Author’s surname, initials of first and second names. Publication year in brackets. Title in a sentence case. Publisher’s name.

In-text citation:

(Author’s surname, publication year, page number)

📕 MLA Citation for a Book

Works Cited entry:

Author’s surname, complete first and second names. Title in a title case. Publisher’s name, publication year.

In-text citation:

(Author’s surname and page number).

📕 Harvard Citation for a Book

Reference List entry:

Author’s surname, initials of first and second names with date of publication. Title in a sentence case. Publisher, publisher’s location.

In-text citation:

(Author’s surname, publication year, page number).

📕 Chicago/Turabian Citation for a Book

Bibliography entry:

Author’s surname, complete first and second names. Title in a title case. Publisher’s location, publisher.

Footnote entry:

Author’s first, second, and third names. Title in a title case. Publisher’s location, name, and publication year are in brackets. Page number from where people got the information they are citing.

20 Tips

A high-standard scholarly essay is a product of enough preparation and focused intellectual engagement. For example, this condition makes it essential for students to learn to accomplish their tasks flawlessly (Babin et al., 2020). As such, key tips for students and anyone writing a problem and solution essay include identifying vulnerable groups in society; brainstorming about some issues they face; thinking about possible options to address them; generating ideas about concerns and resolutions, creating an outline; considering whether to adopt a block or chain structure; writing an introduction with a hook, background information, and a thesis; describing the problems and the possible solutions comprehensively in a body section; ensuring body paragraphs have topic sentences, evidence, transitions, and citations; and writing a conclusion that restates a central thesis, summarizes main points, and makes a call to action in an essay.

10 things to do:

identifying a specific situation to address in an essay, such as a political, economic, social, or cultural problem;
thinking about some solutions to a chosen concern and writing about them;
creating an outline that considers a paper’s content, including a problem, solution, implementation, and evaluation;
researching to find evidence about a specific challenge for starting an essay;
evaluating some weaknesses of existing interventions;
creating a thesis that emphasizes a specific problem and a possible solution;
constructing body paragraphs that satisfy all academic writing conventions, including topic sentences, transitions, and citations;
creating an initial essay draft while evaluating some weaknesses of existing interventions; adopting one formatting style in an entire paper;
reading and rereading a final draft essay to identify and fix mistakes in writing;
proofreading a final version of a problem and solution essay.

10 things not to do:

defining an essay topic that does not address a problem or solution;
addressing an issue and writing about it without a practical response;
providing an introduction without a hook, context, or thesis statement;
adopting an essay outline that does not consider the four writing components of problem, solution, implementation, and evaluation;
using both block and chain writing structures;
failing to support arguments with evidence in an essay;
citing evidence wrongly;
mixing different formats (APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago/Turabian) in the same or different paragraphs;
writing a problem and solution essay with numerous grammatical and formatting errors;
failing to conclude a paper.

What to Include

Element	Description
Clear Definition of a Problem	Include a precise explanation of a specific issue, its origins, and why it matters.
Background Information	Provide a unique context about a chosen challenge, including historical, social, or economic factors.
Impacts	Discuss who is affected by an obstacle and how it impacts individuals, communities, or industries.
Causes	Analyze underlying causes or contributing factors to a given situation.
Examples and Evidence	Include real-life examples, statistics, or research that illustrate a concern’s severity.
Proposed Solution(s)	Present specific, actionable options to a defined challenge, explaining how they will be implemented.
Feasibility Analysis	Evaluate an overall practicality of proposed responses, considering resources, time, and cost.
Benefits	Explain how proposed options will effectively resolve a presented issue and some benefits they bring.
Potential Implications	Address possible obstacles to implementing discussed options and suggest ways to overcome them.
Call to Action	Encourage readers to take specific steps or consider alternatives presented seriously.

Common Mistakes

Vague Problem Statement: Failing to clearly define a real issue makes it difficult for readers to understand a specific challenge being addressed.
Lack of Evidence: Not providing enough data or examples to support an actual existence of a chosen challenge weakens an entire argument and credibility.
Overly Broad Scope: Addressing too many issues at once can dilute a central focus and make a problem and solution essay less effective.
Weak Thesis Statement: A thesis that is unclear or not specific enough can lead to a lack of direction in an entire paper.
Ignoring Counterarguments: Failing to acknowledge opposing viewpoints or alternative options can make a whole composition appear one-sided or incomplete.
Ineffective Solutions: Offering solutions that are vague or not well-developed can undermine an impact of writing.
Inadequate Analysis of Options: Not thoroughly explaining how proposed options will address a given challenge can leave readers unconvinced.
Repetitive Content: Repeating same points or arguments without adding new insights can make a whole composition redundant and unengaging.
Poor Organization: A lack of clear writing structure can confuse readers and make an entire essay difficult to follow.
Neglecting a Conclusion: A weak or missing conclusion fails to reinforce main arguments and leaves a problem and solution essay unfinished.

Summing Up

A problem and solution essay is a structured academic paper that identifies a specific issue and proposes a potential option to address it. In writing, such compositions include an introduction that defines a specific challenge, a body that explores some resolutions and their implementation, and a conclusion that evaluates corresponding outcomes. Moreover, this type of paper should be well-organized, using either a block or chain writing structure to clearly present a problem and its solution. Finally, a principal purpose is to demonstrate an author’s ability to analyze issues and suggest actionable options.

Define a problem afflicting vulnerable groups, like children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, for writing an essay.
Consider if there are existing solutions to a chosen issue and their weaknesses.
Brainstorm to generate ideas about possible solutions to this concern.
Create an outline and populate each section with ideas, considering a hook, background information, topic sentences, transitions, evidence, citations, and a call to action.
Ensure a problem and solution essay adopts block or chain writing structures, not both.
Provide an in-depth description of a challenge, its causes, and the people or other entities it affects.
Explain possible options and who or what should provide them.
Make a call to action to leave readers with a lasting impression about an actual importance of a problem and why it is necessary to sustain a solution.

References

Babin, M., Burnell, C., Pesznecker, S. M., Rosevear, N., & Wood, J. R. (2020). The word on college reading and writing. Open Oregon Educational Resources.

Caplan, N. A., & Johns, A. M. (2022). Essential actions for academic writing: A genre-based approach. University of Michigan Press.

Eichmann, B., Goldhammer, F., Greiff, S., Pucite, L., & Naumann, J. (2019). The role of planning in complex problem solving. Computers & Education, 128, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.08.004

Fleckenstein, J., Meyer, J., Jansen, T., Keller, S., & Köller, O. (2020). Is a long essay always a good essay? The effect of text length on writing assessment. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.562462

Fonteyn, D. (2024). Foundations of writing for university study. Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.

Heffernan, K., & Teufel, S. (2018). Identifying problems and solutions in scientific text. Scientometrics, 116(2), 1367–1382. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-018-2718-6

Problem and Solution Essay: Student Guidelines for an A+ Paper