Problem and Solution Paragraphs

First Steps in Academic Writing 235
Problem / Solution
Paragraphs
In this chapter, you will…
• write about problems and solutions.
• use real conditionals.
• write a two-paragraph paper with linking phrases.
PART 1: PROBLEM AND SOLUTION WRITING
Problem and solution writing first explains a problem and then proposes
one or more solutions to that problem. Often this type of writing requires
more than one paragraph. In this chapter, you will write a two-paragraph
discussion of a problem and solution.
ACTIVITY 1: Problems and Solutions
Read the article from a website on page 237. Then answer the questions.
1. What is the main idea of the first paragraph? What is the topic sentence?
236 Chapter 10 | Problem and Solution Paragraphs
2. How is the first paragraph developed? What are the supporting ideas?
3. What do the supporting ideas show?
4. What is the main idea of the second paragraph? What is the topic
sentence?
5. What solutions does the writer offer? What details support or explain the
solution?
6. Is there a concluding sentence in the first paragraph? In the second

paragraph?
Example Paragraph 1
Deforestation is a serious problem because forests and trees aren’t
just pretty to look at; they do an important job making the earth’s
environment suitable for life. They clean the air, store water, preserve soil,
and provide homes for animals. They also supply food, fuel, wood
products, and paper products for humans. In the past fifty years, more than
half of the world’s rainforests have been destroyed. Today, the forests of
the world are being cut down at a rate of fifty acres every minute!
Scientists say that if deforestation continues, the world’s climate may
change, floods may become more common, and animals will die.
One solution to the problem of deforestation is to use less paper. If

you use less paper, fewer trees will be cut for papermaking. How can you
use less paper? One answer is to reduce your paper use by using both sides
of the paper when you photocopy, write a letter, or write a paper for
school. A second answer is to reuse old paper when you can, rather than
using a new sheet of paper. The backs of old envelopes are perfect for
shopping lists or phone messages, or when you write a rough draft of an
essay, write it on the back of something else. A final answer is to recycle
used paper products instead of throwing them away. Most schools, offices,
and neighborhoods have some kind of recycling center. If you follow the
three Rs – reduce, reuse, and recycle – you can help save the world’s
forests.
PART 2: HOW TO WRITE A PROBLEM PARAGRAPH
How to write a problem paragraph

A problem paragraph describes and discusses a problem issue. The topic
sentence names the problem issue you will discuss. The supporting
sentences show why this issue is a problem.
ACTIVITY 2: Discussing Problem Issues
Work with a partner or small group. Discuss why these issues are
problems. Then add two more issues and discuss them.
1. air pollution
2. traffic
3. overcrowded classrooms
4. …………………………………………………………
5. …………………………………………………………
PART 3: HOW TO WRITE A SOLUTION PARAGRAPH
Finding the best solution

After you have brainstormed solutions to your problem, you need to select
the best one or ones to write about in your solution paragraph. A strong
solution clearly and reasonably solves the problem. A weak solution
doesn't really solve the problem or is not practical or not logical.
ACTIVITY 3: Finding Solutions
Work with a partner, talk about the solutions that this student brainstormed
for her topic. Mark each one strong, OK, or weak.
Topic sentence: I need more spending money while I am in college.
…... borrow money from my friends
…...sell some of my belongings
…...ask my parents for money
…...play my guitar on the streets
…...get a part-time job
…...drop out of college and get a full-time job
…...buy lottery tickets
…...ride my bike to school instead of using public transportation
…...ask my professors for money
…...buy fewer CDs and new clothes
PART 4: LANGUAGE FOCUS
A. Using Conditional Structures

The real or first conditional is a useful way to talk about both problems and
solutions.
CONDITION RESULT
If + verb (present) will / can / could / should + main verb
e.g. If factories dump their waste into fish will get sick.
streams,
e.g. If you eat fish from polluted waters, you could get sick too.
Punctuation note: No comma is needed when the if-clause comes second.

e.g. If you eat fish from polluted waters, you could get sick.
e.g. you could get sick if you eat fish from polluted waters.
The event in the if-clause is possible, or is likely to happen. The event in

the result clause would logically follow. There are other types of
conditional sentences, but real conditionals are the most common in writing
about problems and solutions.
ACTIVITY 5: Conditional Structures
Read the paragraphs on page 237 again. Underline the conditional

sentences.
Complete these sentences by circling the correct form of the verb.

1. If you use / don't use a map when you drive, you get /could get lost.
2. Students do / will do poorly on their exams if they don't get / won’t get
enough sleep.
3. If you want / could want to lose weight, exercise / don't exercise three
times a week and eat / don't eat junk food.
4. If you fly / could fly there, it will be / can faster than taking the train.
5. Many arguments are / can be avoided if you think / will think before you speak.
6. I will go / won’t go to that movie if I find / will find someone to go with me.
Complete these sentences with your own ideas. Then compare with a partner.
1. If it rains this weekend, …………………..………………………………
………………………………………………………………….……………
2. if the library isn’t open tomorrow, ……….………………………………
………………………………………………………………….……………
3. If gas price increases even more, ………...………………………………
………………………………………………………………….……………
4.……………..………………………………………………………………
………………………………….……………, I will call you tonight.
5.……………..………………………………………………………………
………………………………….…………, you will make a lot of money.
6.……………..………………………………………………………………
………………………………….……………, I will not take a vacation.
1. For each topic sentence in Activity 2, on page 238, write one or two conditional
sentences that explain the problem. Compare your sentences with a partner.
2. Choose one topic from Activity 2, on page 238, Brainstorm more ideas if
necessary, then write a paragraph about it. Use conditional sentences.
B. Linking Problems with Solutions

How to link a solution paragraph to a problem paragraph
The first paragraph – the problem paragraph – explains the problem. The
topic sentence of the second paragraph – the solution paragraph –
introduces your solution(s) to the problem. The supporting sentences show
how your solution(s) will solve the problem. Use these phrases:
In order to solve these problems, …
In order to overcome these problems, …
A second / third / final answer is…
One solution is …
One thing we can do is…
To meet this need,…
One answer is …
ACTIVITY 9: Linking Phrases
Read the solution paragraph on page 237 again. Find the linking phrases.
ACTIVITY 10: Finding Solutions
Work with a group. For each of these topic sentences, brainstorm

solutions. Introduce each solution with one of the phrases above. Then
think of one more problem together and give it to another group to discuss.
1. We must reduce stress for high school students.

2. Teenagers spend so much time using their cell phones that they are no
longer skilled at face-to-face interaction.
3. In the next five to ten years, experts predict that there won’t be enough
doctors and nurses to meet hospitals’ needs.
4. We have to find ways to protect young children from violence on
television.
5. …………………………………………………………………………..
PART 5: WRITING PRACTICE
ACTIVITY 11: Writing Problem and Solution Paragraphs
Use the following ideas to write a problem paragraph and a solution

paragraph. Remember to write a topic sentence for each paragraph and a
concluding sentence for the solution paragraph. Use conditional sentences
and linking phrases where you can.
Getting along with a roommate
Problems
a. noisy roommate
b. roommate is messy
c. argue about how to decorate the room
d. fighting causes stress
Solutions
a. set aside quiet time for studying
b. make cleaning schedule
c. each person decorates half of the room
d. talk each week about concerns
ACTIVITY 12: Writing Problem and Solution Paragraphs
Choose one of the topics below or your own topic and write a two-
paragraph paper about problems and solutions.
- the homeless
- sexual discrimination
- domestic violence
- over-population
- employment for youth

Problem and Solution Paragraphs

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First Steps in Academic Writing 235

PART 1: PROBLEM AND SOLUTION WRITING

ACTIVITY 1: Problems and Solutions

3. What do the supporting ideas show?

6. Is there a concluding sentence in the first paragraph? In the second

One solution to the problem of deforestation is to use less paper. If

PART 2: HOW TO WRITE A PROBLEM PARAGRAPH

How to write a problem paragraph

ACTIVITY 2: Discussing Problem Issues

PART 3: HOW TO WRITE A SOLUTION PARAGRAPH

Finding the best solution

ACTIVITY 3: Finding Solutions

PART 4: LANGUAGE FOCUS

A. Using Conditional Structures

Punctuation note: No comma is needed when the if-clause comes second.

The event in the if-clause is possible, or is likely to happen. The event in

ACTIVITY 5: Conditional Structures

Read the paragraphs on page 237 again. Underline the conditional

ACTIVITY 6: Conditional Structures

Complete these sentences by circling the correct form of the verb.

ACTIVITY 7: Conditional Structures

ACTIVITY 8: Conditional Structures

B. Linking Problems with Solutions

ACTIVITY 9: Linking Phrases

ACTIVITY 10: Finding Solutions

Work with a group. For each of these topic sentences, brainstorm

1. We must reduce stress for high school students.

PART 5: WRITING PRACTICE

ACTIVITY 11: Writing Problem and Solution Paragraphs

Use the following ideas to write a problem paragraph and a solution

ACTIVITY 12: Writing Problem and Solution Paragraphs

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