Problem-solving essay

How to write an essay solving

problems?

Draw

Complete a picture.

Multiple Choice

What is a problem-solution essay?

• An essay about personal experience and opinions about a topic.

• An essay about a problem and some solutions for it.

• An essay about similarities and differences.

• An essay about positive and negative sides of a topic.

Your aim is to
present a
200-word
piece of
formal
writing.

Formal piece of writing

State a problem and make
suggestions on how to deal with it.

Also, write the expected result of
each suggestion

State your opinion at the end of
the essay.

PLAN YOU NEED
TO STICK TO!

SB/WB 3f

Multiple Choice

The problem solving essay has 4 or 5 paragraphs.

• TRUE

• FALSE

INTRODUCTION – STATING THE
PROBLEM AND CAUSES

PLAN YOU NEED
TO STICK TO!

Multiple Choice

In the introduction, what kind of information should be given to the reader?

• Rewriting the question and answering it.

• Paraphrasing the question and background info about the problem. Add the causes of the problem.

• Paraphrasing the question and offering solutions.

MAIN BODY – Paragraph 2 (Suggestion with
examples/explanations and possible results

We start each paragraph with a topic sentence (teemalause)
which

introduces

and

summarises

the

main

topic

of

the

paragraph. A topic sentence is followed by supporting sentences
which provide supporting details and their expected results.

PLAN YOU NEED
TO STICK TO!

Multiple Choice

What is the function of the first body paragraph for the problem-solution essay?

• To list all the solutions.

• To introduce the first solution, explain it and write about expected results.

• Describe the problem more thoroughly.

3rdparagraph – suggestion 2

PLAN YOU NEED
TO STICK TO!

4thparagraph – suggestion 3

DO NOT USE SHORT FORMS!

ESSAY IS FORMAL!

Draw

Circle the mistake here.

PLAN YOU NEED
TO STICK TO!

CONCLUSION

Here you restate the problem, summarise with your opinion,
possible hopes for the future etc It could be more than one
sentence. This is a good sentence, but requires some more
information to be complete as a paragraph.

Open Ended

How could you improve the conclusion from the previous slide?

Reorder

Reorder the following:

• introduction

• 1st solution with explanations and examples

• 2nd solution with explanations and examples

• 3rd with explanations and examples (optional)

• conclusion

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

USEFUL LANGUAGE – linking words

▪
Formal language – impersonal (avoid using I or you forms)

▪
More advanced vocabulary and grammar (passive, modal
verbs, complex tenses etc)

▪
Formal linking words

▪
As already mentioned use full verb forms

▪
- There is no doubt NOT There’s….

SB pp 46-47

Draw

Draw your favourite animal.

Checklist after writing the first draft

✓ Have you stated the problem in the first paragraph?

✓ Have you stated your opinion in the last paragraph?

✓ Are your paragraphs well-structured?

✓ Do the main body paragraphs each start with an appropriate

suggestion?

✓ Have you included supporting details for each suggestion?

✓ Have you presented the expected results?

✓ Have you used full verb forms?

✓ Is your essay within the word length? NO MORE THAN 250 w

✓ Have you checked your essay for punctuation, grammar and spelling?