Structuring a ProblemSolution Paper
The following presentation will show you how to
properly structure a problem solution essay.
You should follow along and we will do it together
for the first time. You will then continue to use this
process for all Problem-Solution Essays that we
write.
What goes in each
paragraph?
-Paragraph 1- Introduction to Problem
-Paragraph 2- Solution and Steps
-Paragraph 3- One Advantage
-Paragraph 4- Second Advantage
-Paragraph 5- Conclusion
Problem-Solution

Prompt: As a citizen of Bidgoodland, you
have noticed that the King has not been
effectively running the Kingdom due to
the extensive amount of time he has
been spending in the bathtub. Being
such a valued citizen, the Queen has
come to you for your advice on how to
solve this problem.
Write an essay that develops an effective
solution to this problem and lists steps to
implement it.
Audience and Purpose

What is audience?
- The audience is who the paper is
intended for. Who is going to read it?

What is purpose?
- The purpose is the reason that you
are writing. What am I writing this for?

Audience: the Queen of Bidgoodland
Purpose: suggest a way to get King
Bidgood out of the tub

Brainstorm Cause and
Effects
Make a Multi Flow map with the
problem in the middle box.
 In the boxes on the left, list causes
of the problem.
 In the boxes on the right, list effects
of the problem.
 Stop, take a deep breath and relax.
This is easy and fun!!!!

Multi-flow map
Causes
Effects
King
Bidgood
won’t get
out of the
tub
Write the opening
Paragraph
The opening paragraph MAY include:
-TOPIC SENTENCE!!!!
-What is the problem
-Where is the problem
-How long has it been a problem
The opening paragraph SHOULD include:
- Causes and effects of problem (MultiFlow map)
-DO NOT PUT YOUR SOLUTION IN THE
OPENING PARAGRAPH!
Possible Opening Sentences
One problem which needs to be
solved is…
 One of the greatest problems in
Bidgoodland is…
 The quality of life in Bidgoodland
would improve if…

Example of an opening
paragraph
One of the biggest problems in Bidgoodland is the
fact that no one is running the kingdom because King
Bidgood will not get out of the tub. The king has
constantly been in the tub due to the fact that he has
been really stressed out. Additionally, he is very self
conscious about the way he smells and he just really
enjoys the time to himself. If the King does not get out
soon, the Kingdom may be at risk of being taken over
by a neighboring Kingdom. If that’s not bad enough,
the citizens may starve because King Bidgood is not
running things like he should, and the people may lose
faith in their fearless leader. Due to all of these things
and more, this is a problem that needs to be solved
immediately.
SPONGEBOB SAYS…
Write
your
opening
paragraph!
!!
Brainstorm Solutions
Use a circle map to brainstorm
solutions to the problem.
 The problem goes in the center.
 The solutions go in the outer circle.


Don’t worry, Spongebob still thinks
this is super fun!
Circle Map
4-5 possible
solutions
The
King is
in the
tub
Choose the best solution
Look at your possible solutions to
the problem and answer these
questions:
 1. Is the solution effective?
 2. Are there steps that can be taken
to complete the solution?
 3. Does the solution have
advantages?

Paragraph 2- your solution
and steps

The second paragraph is when you
introduce your solution. In addition
to your solution, you have to tell the
reader how to implement it, or the
steps you have to take to make it
happen. In order to come up with
these, you need to use a flow map.
Steps of Implementation
Flow Map
Write your solution here
STEP 1
STEP 2

STEP 3

__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
Lets have a Luau, we are
almost done!!!!
Now, back to the cool thing called writing!
Paragraph 3 and 4- Your
advantages
The next two paragraphs are
intended to convince the reader that
your solution is better than any
other possible solution. In order to
do this, you need to come up with
two things about your solution that
make it a good choice.
 Use the following map to organize
your thoughts

Star Wars Spaceship Map
First Advantage
Second Advantage
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
____________
Put your
solution here
How can I start paragraph 3
and 4?

Remember, the opening sentence should
tell what the paragraph is about. Here is
an example of an opening sentence for
this paragraph:

If this solution were implemented to get
the King out of the bathtub, one
advantage would be…
WHEW!!! THIS IS TOUGH

I like writing!
GET BACK TO
WORK, ONE
MORE
PARAGRAPH
TO GO!!!!!!!!!
Conclusion
Tell them what you told ‘em!
 Restate the following things:
-Problem
-Solution
-First Advantage
-Second Advantage
