Problem-Solution Essay

This essay is one where the writer describes a problem and a solution. The size of the problem and solution could be global, local, or even individual in nature. Here are some common essay prompts.

1. How can companies reduce or manage plastic waste?

2. How can schools reduce bullying?

3. What can be done to address the obesity epidemic?

4. What drug rehabilitation strategies are sustainable and effective?

5. Is it possible to attract more women to STEM study?

6. Is there anything to be done about teacher burnout?

These types of questions are common on tests such as the TOEFL and IELTS, and they lend themselves well to timed essay tests, so it's quite possible you already have experience with this essay format.

Techniques

1. Have an opinion. Many other types of academic papers de-emphasize the author's opinion, but on this kind of essay, be clear about what you think could be effective.

2. Research the issue thoroughly. First, clearly identify the problem, and show that it is a real problem. Second, for many issues it's easy to find one possible cause and then one possible way to address that cause. However, the reader might not be convinced that the cause you found was the primary one, or that your solution will be effective. If you cite multiple sources, your essay will be more convincing. See Synthesizing below.

3. Provide evidence. Give evidence-based reasons why your solution is likely to be effective or use logical reasoning to support your proposal.

4. Consider practicality. Complex problems can be addressed in many ways. Some solutions are simpler, cheaper, and more effective than others. Explain what makes yours a reasonable choice. Depending on the essay length, you could explain what makes other potential solutions less desirable.

5. Explain how certain you are. If your solution is a partial (and not complete) solution, say that. If it’s a potential (and not guaranteed) solution, say that.

6. There are several common structures. As with the cause-and-effect essay, information can reasonably be organized into a block structure or a chain structure.

Synthesizing

In writing, the term synthesizing means to put information from multiple sources together to create or support an idea. For longer papers or controversial topics, this is a fundamental writing skill, first because it strengthens your arguments, and second because it adds depth to your coverage of the issue. There are several ways to synthesize sources:

1. Use two sources to make the same claim.
   Over the past decade, an increase in bicycle accidents with large trucks and SUVs has been reported across Canada (Smith, 2021; Young, 2024).

2. Use the first source to make a general claim and the second source to add more information.
   Johnson (2000) warned about the dangers that pickup trucks would create for those on foot and bicycle. In fact, Tanaka (2015) found that such vehicles are five times more deadly to pedestrians than regular-size cars.

3. Show a contrast in views between two sources.
   According to Zhang (2018), large vehicles pose a grave safety risk to children, because children are so short that drivers cannot easily see where they are. On the other hand, Peterson (2021) has noted that many modern vehicles are now equipped with drive cameras to cover their blind spots.

Summarizing and paraphrasing are ways of expressing ideas taken from outside sources, and synthesizing is a step beyond that. When you're synthesizing, you're taking those sources and using them to build a stronger position or express a new idea.

References

• Meyers, A. (2013). Longman Academic Writing: Essays to Research Papers. Pearson.

• Nunan, L. (2017). Problem Solution Essay. OER Commons. Retrieved 2024.

• Smith, S. (2022). Problem-solution essays. EAP Foundation. Retrieved 2024.

• Synthesizing. (2023). Excelsior Online Writing Lab, Excelsior University. Retrieved 2025.

• Synthesizing Sources. (2024). Purdue Online Writing Lab. Retrieved 2025.