METU/SFL Spring 2024
DBE
WHO3
Problem-Solution
INTERMEDIATE GROUP
(Instructor’s Copy)
Solution texts serve an important role. These texts inform readers about problems, describe them , convince
the reader that the problem is actually a “problem” and suggest actions that could be taken to remedy these
problems. Although there are many ways to address a problem, and there are texts that only give some advice,
here is a proposed outline for a problem-solution paragraph:
I. Identify the problem and acknowledge its negative effects
II. Propose solutions to the problem
III. Evaluate the solutions (and wrap up)
Let’s put this outline into test
Students very frequently experience the problem of procrastination. How can this be solved?
I. Presenting the Problem: identify the problem and acknowledge its negative effects
Problem-solution paragraphs aim to persuade the reader or state that a certain issue should be treated as a
problem. Therefore, before the topic sentence, it is essential that the writer briefly explain the problem and/or
the source of the problem in two or three introductory sentences. Such an introduction to the paragraph helps
the writer make a smooth transition to the topic sentence.
The dictionary definition of procrastination is “putting off an action or task to the last minute”. However, this
does not directly/automatically make “procrastination” a problem for students. You have to explain and make
the connection.
Why is procrastination a problem? What kind of negative effects can/does procrastination have on students?
This is a problem because it may cause stress/ academic failure/insomnia, etc.
This part is linked to the rest of the paragraph with the topic sentence.
After you have introduced the problem as part of your purpose, you can write the topic sentence. The topic
sentence of a problem-solution paragraph is not different from those of cause/effect or compare/contrast
paragraphs. In the topic sentence, you should refer to the problem and present your solutions. In this sentence,
the topic is the problem itself and the controlling idea includes the solutions.
Examples of topic sentences of a problem-solution paragraph are as follows:
There are two possible solutions to the worldwide problem of limited amount of fossil fuels.
controlling idea topic
The worldwide problem of limited amount of fossil fuels can be solved through the implementation of two possible solutions.
topic controlling idea
Two of the most commonly proposed solutions to the worldwide problem of limited amount of fossil
controlling idea topic
fuels are improving conservation efforts and finding alternative energy sources.
controlling idea
II. Propose solutions to the problem
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You need to state your solution first. Then, say “how” this solution will work in order to reach the desirable
result – the end of the problem – by providing explanations or examples. Study your analysis in the example
paragraph.
Solutions should be realistic, practical, legal, ethical and appropriate. People should be able to implement
the solution. The easy way to come up with solutions is to consider the causes of the problem. If you can
eliminate the causes, you will probably solve the problem.
Task 1. Try to eliminate the problems below.
Some common reasons why students procrastinate are distractions, anxiety, being a perfectionist, setting
unrealistic goals, overestimating the time to perform tasks, and poor time management skills.
While trying to solve these problems, let’s try to come up with plausible solutions.
Distractions limit distractions/ prioritizing
Being perfectionist/setting unrealistic goals setting realistic goals
Poor time-management skills improving time-management skills/ setting 7
Don’t forget to organize ideas: When writing the solutions, it is a good idea to follow the following tips.
1. Keep your ideas balanced. Do not write 10 sentences for one solution and one or two sentences for another.
2. Follow a logical order. You can order them in one of the following ways:
From more expensive to least expensive From least popular to most popular
From more long-term to short-term Other: ______________________________
From complicated to simple
III. Evaluate the solutions and wrap up
While proposing the solutions, it is also important to evaluate the solutions:
Are the solutions plausible? Far-fetched? Short-term/Long term? Expensive? Affordable?
Who is going to implement the solution?
Could the solutions be implemented by the person who is experiencing the problem? Is outside help
needed?
Then you can wrap up the paragraph with the conclusion. Your conclusion can include some advice about the
problem or the solutions. You may also summarize the solutions that you have suggested.
Task 2. Complete the table with the information in the paragraph.
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Procrastination is putting off an action or task to the last possible minute, and it can have a negative
effect on students’ schoolwork, grades and even their overall health. Students who procrastinate
experience higher levels of frustration, guilt, stress and anxiety, which might lead to serious issues like
low self-esteem and depression. There are two solutions that can be implemented to overcome this
problem. One way is to limit distractions that prevent them from starting or completing the task. If
students can limit the distractions, they can start the task immediately and stay focused. As a result,
they will be able to complete the task on time. For example, they can disable their social-media
accounts temporarily or put away their smart phones while working on a challenging project. Another
way is to improve their time-management skills. An easy method they can adopt is to organize their
schedule using a pen and paper. Students can also use free applications or software like Google
Calendar. In this way, they can set specific dates and times to begin and continue their assignments, and
if they stick to the plan on their planner, they can stop procrastinating. To sum up, limiting distractions
and improving time-management skills are two possible solutions that students can implement to
overcome the problem of procrastination.
Solutions Explanation of the solution
start task immediately→ more likely to stay focused on the task → complete the task
1) limiting on time → PREVENT PROCRASTINATION
distractions e.g.: 2) disable social-media accounts temporarily / put away smart phone while
working on a challenging project
3) improving organize their schedule using 4) a pen and paper / free applications & software →
time- set specific dates & times to begin & continue assignments
management stick to the plan on the planner → PREVENT PROCRASTINATION
skills
USEFUL LANGUAGE
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Remember that problem solving requires the writer to suggest solutions. It is for this reason that we might
frequently need to use the following language patterns when writing a problem-solution paragraph:
WHEN INTRODUCING PROBLEMS
Expressing Certainty / Possibility
When describing consequences, you can use these expressions to show how certain you are.
will (certainly/probably/possibly)
At our current rate of use, we may b of be out of fossil fuels in 30 to 40
years. might
could
likely
probable
It is possible that we will be out of fossil fuels in 30 to 40 years.
probably won’t
Fusion may not be available for at least 20 years.
might not
impossible
It is unlikely that fusion will be available soon.
improbable
WHEN INTRODUCING SOLUTIONS
The school can/may offer counseling to students.
The school should offer different types of counseling for students with different problems.
The school needs to implement different types of solutions for this problem.
Counseling can be/may be offered to students.
Different types of counseling should be offered for students with different problems.
Different types of solutions for this problem need to be implemented.
Conditional sentences are often used to convince the readers of the logical relationship between causes
and effects or between reasons or choices. Sentences that begin with if or unless are used to predict the
consequences of actions, show conditions associated with a problem or give the readers choices about how
to solve a problem.
e.g.
The problem is that these resources are limited and we will be out of fossil fuels in 30 to 40 years if we
cannot find a solution to this problem. (the outcome/consequence of an unfulfilled condition)
It may help if we bike, walk, or use public transportation more and use our cars less. (how to solve the
problem)
If/When students procrastinate, they experience difficulty in keeping up with the classwork. (the
outcome/consequence of an unfulfilled condition)
If the school offers a time-management course, some of the students may learn to overcome this
problem. (how to solve the problem)
Some students cannot overcome the problem of procrastination unless there is a friend or family
member to remind them to complete tasks. (how to solve the problem)
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Quantity Expressions
Many problems can be described in terms of too much or too little of something. The following
expressions are useful.
Too much exercise leads to bone loss.
An excess of
An excessive amount of alcohol can cause intoxication.
Taking too many pills increases the risk of adverse reactions.
Too little food intake causes the metabolism to slow down.
Not enough
Eating too few calories a day can lead to muscle loss and a slower metabolism.
Inadequate exercise, smoking and excessive alcohol intake are some of the reasons for premature deaths.
Insufficient
Lack of oxygen in the blood could lead to health problems and nerve deterioration.
Shortage of
WRITING TASK
How can people reduce environmental pollution?
In about 200 words, explain TWO solutions to environmental pollution.
In your paragraph, make sure:
you have a topic sentence, supporting sentences that give additional details, and a concluding sentence
all your ideas are relevant to the topic,
you use linkers and transition words where necessary (and, or, so, but, because, moreover, etc.),
you pay attention to the content, the organization, the vocabulary, and the accuracy of the language.
STEP 1:
Brainstorm ideas:
Possible major ideas for solutions:
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STEP 2:
You can use this space for planning. You can use the ideas in step 1 or your own ideas.
Step 3
Write your text here:
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SELF-EDITING:
* After you write your text, check your paper yourself using the self-checklist below. Put a tick () in the relevant
box.
In order to self-edit your writing, the guidelines will help you. Tick the relevant box.
The writing answers the question. □
The writing has a clear topic sentence. □
All the ideas are relevant to the topic. □
The language doesn’t contain any errors (run-on sentence, □
fragment, subject-verb disagreement, etc.).
All the sentences have a subject and a verb. □
Submit it to your instructor on ODTÜClass.
Instructor Feedback: Your instructor will check your work and give you feedback.
