Name: _____________________________ID _____________________ Section: ___
Level 3 Writing, Weeks 5-6: Problem – Solution Essay
In Class Tasks
Overview of Task: You will brainstorm and write an Intro with a Group. Then, you will exchange work
with 2 other groups.
YOUR Topic #1 – Choose with a Group:
STEP ONE: Brainstorm and ORGANIZE (with a Group)
A. EXPLAIN TOPIC (2 minutes) What is problem / Why is this important? Why is this a problem?? Write 1-2
other problems that happen because of this. (“This is a problem because…”)
1.
2
B. Write 3 -4 solutions. Circle the best 3.
1.
3
2
4
(Review the Introduction Checklist)
1. __ General Background (why topic is important – change from the past / happens worldwide etc)
2. __ The Exam topic / Problem (use DIFFERENT WORDS)
3. __ Problem details (such as causes or effects)

“This happens because…..” + cause (clause with subj & verb) (ex: This happens because there are more
visitors these days)

“This happens because of …” + cause (noun) (ex: This happens because of careless people)

“This is a problem because….” + effects (clause) (ex: This is a problem because it

(N singular) + “causes” + (N) (ex: Smoking ...…. many health problems, like cancer and death)

(N plural) “cause” + (N) (ex: Accidents ……………… a lot of deaths every year)
4. __ THESIS – (“However, there are several solutions to this problem.”)
5. __ clear language
1
C. Write an intro for this essay – DOUBLE SPACE
Topic #2 (Neighbor topic) Just the key words :
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
A. EXPLAIN (2 minutes) Why is it a problem? (…… because …..==>>)
1.
2
B. 3 -4 solutions.
1.
3
2
4
A. Write an intro for this essay – DOUBLE SPACE
2
Topic #3 (Your own topic – if time ) Just the key words :
B. Write 3 -4 solutions.
1.
3
2
4
C. Write an intro for this essay – DOUBLE SPACE
REFLECT – how confident do you feel now, about writing an introduction?
A. Very - B. Somewhat – C. Not very
3
BODY PARAGRAPHS
A. (Review step) Here are the brainstorming notes for the topic of SMOKING
TOPIC:
PROBLEM OF SMOKING
BACKGROUND IDEAS (cause/effect): many people smoke, children, addiction, serious disease, death
SOLUTIONS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Education – especially for teenagers. Show teens pictures and
Ban advertising from TV and internet – they try to make it look cool for kids
Raise the price of cigarettes (tax) – if
Make a law the children should not smoke
No smoking in public
B. (Review Step) Here is the INTRODUCTION: Complete it with these words (one of them is not used), and
then write the thesis.
dangerous - Everyone - causes - This is a problem - know - knows – smoke – people – smoke
____________
________________that smoking is very _______________________, but
______________________ all over the world continue to ________________, even teenagers.
_______ _______ _____ ____________ because smoking ______________ serious diseases and
early death. Fortunately, _____________________________________________________________
C. BODY PARAGRAPHS: Topic Sentences
Review Steps 1-2: Brainstorm and organize IDEAS: (Body 1 + Body 2)
Obesity
Mobile Phones
Schools – should not allow fast
food restaurants on campus Exercise
1. Find good ways to use
phone in school
2. rules at home – limits
Food at home -
3. Encourage active lifestyle
Smoking
Education – show students
picture, and bring visitors to class
Ban advertising on TV and
internet
Raise the price of cigarettes
Topic sentences - Below are three different styles for topic sentences. Underline the clauses in the
topic sentences below. (a clause is a group of words with a subject + verb)
Style #1 Firstly, teachers need to find good ways to use phones at school
Style #2: The first solution is finding (to find) good ways to use phones at school.
Style #3: The first solution to the problem of mobiles is finding (to find) good ways to use them at
school.
4
Write TS sentences other topics, using the styles above
Style 1: (obesity)
(Body 1 TS) Firstly, schools should not sell fast food on campus.
(Body 2 TS) Secondly (exercise) _____________________________________________________
(Body 3 TS) Thirdly (parents make lunch at home), ____________________________________
Style 2 (smoking)
(Body 1 TS) The first major solution is education
(Body 2 TS) ________________________________________________________________________
(Body 3TS) _________________________________________________________________________
Style 3 (speeding)
(Body 1 TS) _________________________________________________________________________
(Body 2 TS) _________________________________________________________________________
(Body 3 TS) _________________________________________________________________________
D . WRITE Body PARAGRAPHS
Body Paragraphs have 3 Basic Parts:
1. __ Clear Topic sentence gives first solution (styles below)
a. Firstly, + clause with subj & V (ex: Firstly, parents should teach about X at home.)
b. The first/second solution is + N (ex: “The first solution is x ”)
c. The first solution is to + V (ex: “The first solution is to educate young people”)
d. The first solution is that + clause (ex: “The first solution is that X could provide Y to help young
people understand about ……..”)
e. Using the styles above but include the problem in the topic sentence)
The first solution [to the problem of X] is / is to / is that (ex: “The first solution to the problem of X
is X .”)
2. SS (supporting sentences) – just give 1 or 2: Example patterns for supporting sentences:
a. give example: “For example + clause; “For instance” + clause
b. To explain: “This means….+ clause” Or “This is because + clause” or “If… + clause”
3. CS (concluding sentence): RESULT – just one sentence - Result of your solution - connection between
solution and problem Example patterns for concluding sentences:
a. “As a result + clause… “
b. “If …. + clause, clause”
c. “Consequently…”
5
Group WRITING TASK (In class)
BODY 1
TS Solution #1
SS
Explain/Example:
CS
Result:
BODY 2
TS Solution #1
SS
Explain/Example:
6
CS
Result:
BODY 3
TS Solution #1
SS
Explain/Example:
CS
Result:
7
Conclusion
Finally, you need to write a conclusion about your topic
1. __ Signal word (“In summary, …” to sum up… ) + problem + thesis
(ex: In summary, X is a problem but there are several solutions.
2.
3.
4.
5.
__ repeat paragraph topics (solutions) – use different words
__ suggestion, advice, prediction
__ NO NEW SOLUTIONS!!
__ clear grammar for each sentence.
Exercise #1 Complete and Review a conclusion about speeding – 5 minutes
and - although - conclusion – this – so
In 1) _______________ , 2) ________________ some people drive much too fast, there are solutions to
3) ________ problem. The government should educate people about the risks of speeding, put in more speed
cameras with higher fines, 4) __________ take cars away from people who speed too much. All lives are
important, 5) ________we should all drive safely.
Exercise #2 Complete the conclusion about fast food
In conclusion, although the issue of people eating too much junk food affects many countries, there are
solutions to this problem. The government should make healthy food _________________, schools should
____________________________________________ and parents should
______________________________________________. I believe that
______________________________________________________________________________
Exercise #3: Write a conclusion about one of the essay topics you wrote in class.
8