ESKISEHIR TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SFL

PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY: INTRODUCTION

The Problem Solution Essay

The ability to identify problems and find effective solutions is essential for your studies. In this type of
essay, you begin by describing a situation that leads to a problem, explore its possible causes, and then
propose one or more solutions. A strong problem and solution essay includes a critical evaluation of
both the problem and the proposed solution(s), showing your personal perspective and reasoning.
Outline of a Problem Solution Essay
A. Introduction
Hook: Grab the attention of the readers

Background A simple definition of the problem or statement of the problem

Information
One cause of the problem with one sentence (optional)
One effect of the problem with one sentence

Thesis statement: Mention the problem and offer two solutions

B. Body
Body 1st Body Paragraph: Focus on the problem in detail.
Paragraphs *Why is the problem serious?
*What are the results of the problem?
* Conclude the paragraph by adding the necessity to find solutions to the problem.

2nd Body Paragraph: Focus on the first solution

Topic sentence: Introduce the first solution
Supporting sentences: Explain how the solutions are implemented by giving
examples
Concluding Sentence: Summarize the paragraph by restating the solutions

3rd Body Paragraph: Focu on the second solution

Topic sentence: Introduce the second solution
Supporting sentences: Explain how the solutions are implemented by giving
examples
Concluding Sentence: Summarize the paragraph by restating the solutions

C. Conclusion
o Restatement of the thesis statement by focusing on the evaluation of the solutions.
o Recommend the readers to call for action.

NOTE: In the introduction part, you need to focus on the problem shortly to give the reader an idea of the
topic. Then, in the first body paragraph, discuss the problem in detail. This part should explain the
issue clearly and convincingly so that the reader understands why it is important. You must show that
if the problem is not solved, it will lead to negative consequences.

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 ESKISEHIR TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SFL
PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY: INTRODUCTION

A. Lead In: What problem is described in the pictures? Discuss with your classmates.
1. What is procrastination? Look up in the dictionary and redefine it with your own words.
2. Have you ever felt under pressure? How does it affect our lives?
3. What are some possible solutions to the problem?
4. B. Read the following essay and study how the essay is organized.
Glossary
To Cram: To prepare yourself for an examination by learning a lot of information quickly
** She has been cramming hard all week
To Put off: To delay or arrange doing something to a later time
** The match has been put off until next week
To Suffer from: To experience physical or mental pain
** they are likely to suffer from a bad decision / ** She has suffered from insomnia
Overwhelming (adj.): Something that affect you very strongly that you cannot deal with it
** the task won’t feel overwhelming if you break it into small steps
To Intimidate: If you intimidate someone, you deliberately make them frightened enough to do
what you want them to do.
** Intimidating or dominating minority groups is against human dignity
Mindset/mind-set (noun): Someone’s mindset means general attitudes and the way a person
typically thinks about something
** We have to change people's mindsets and motivate them
Reinforcement (noun): The reinforcement of something is the process of making it stronger.
** Giving awards will increase the reinforcement of good behaviours
Efficient (adj.): Doing something without wasting time and energy
**Innovative approaches introduce efficient solutions
In due time: Eventually at an appropriate time
** I will answer all of your questions in due time

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 ESKISEHIR TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SFL
PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY: INTRODUCTION

Dealing with Procrastination

A: INTRODUCTION Have you ever put off an important task until the last minute, even though you
1. Introduction: Hook
knew it would cause stress? This common behaviour is known as procrastination—the
1.1. Definition of the
problem habit of putting off tasks unnecessarily despite being aware of the negative
consequences. It has become even more widespread in today's fast-paced world,
1.2. Background: What
causes the problem, how where busy schedules and constant distractions make it more difficult to stay focused.
does it affect?
Many people struggle hard with procrastination throughout their lives causing anxiety
1.3. Thesis statement
and aggression. To overcome procrastination, people should improve their time
management skills and develop a more positive mindset toward responsibilities.

B. BODY Procrastination negatively affects different groups of people, creating unnecessary

2. Topic sentence:
Statement of the
stress and obstacles in their lives. People who delay doing things face difficulties in
problem
completing several tasks at once. Students who frequently dismiss their studies often
2.1. Supporting face last-minute cramming. For example, a student who postpones writing an essay
sentences and details:
Effects of the problem
on students, employees,
until the night before the deadline will likely to produce rushed and low-quality work.
and parents
When an employee puts off an important report, they may have to work late hours,
2.4. Conclusion: increasing stress and reducing productivity. Also, parents suffer when they postpone
Summary of the results
of the problem and
connection to the need
daily tasks. Small delays, like ignoring household chores, can pile up and create
for solution overwhelming situations. In all cases, procrastination leads to guilt, anxiety, and a
cycle of decreased motivation, which makes it a serious problem that needs solutions.

B. BODY The most effective way to combat procrastination is by taking control of

3. Topic sentence: The

time through disciplined planning. First, breaking tasks into smaller steps removes
first solution, time the mental barrier of overwhelming workloads. In this way individuals do not
management
exaggerate the work in their minds. For instance, instead of thinking, "I must write a
3.1. Supporting
sentence: Divide into
10-page report," divide it into sections: research, outline, draft, and revision. This
smaller parts makes the work manageable and less intimidating. Besides, setting strict personal
Example deadlines, earlier than the actual due date, creates a sense of urgency and
3.2. Supporting
sentence: set personal
prioritization. For instance, a student who finishes an assignment two days early
deadlines avoids last-minute panic, while an employee who completes a project ahead of
Example schedule gains respect from colleagues. In short, time management with good
3.3. Conclusion
organization paws the way for dividing a busy schedule into manageable parts and
finishing it in due time.

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 ESKISEHIR TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SFL
PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY: INTRODUCTION

B. BODY Another useful solution is to actively reshape your mindset by boosting your
4. Topic sentence: the motivation. Instead of focusing on deep-rooted psychological barriers like self-
second solution,
criticism, you should adopt positive reinforcement. To illustrate, after completing
changing mindset
4.1 Supporting a demanding work, you should reward yourself with something that you enjoy
sentence: positive doing. It may be having a coffee break or having a walk outside. In this way you
reinforcement
would keep the willpower to finish the work high and it would give you the
Example
4.2 Supporting necessary strength. Furthermore, a perfectionist view should be replaced with
sentence: Good enough good enough attitude. For example, instead of programming your mind with the
attitude
perfect final version at the first attempt, you should finish the first draft and then
Example
4.3 Conclusion modify for a better version. In brief, individuals can break free from self-
sabotage and build lasting productivity habits.

All in all, although chronic postponement results in failure and stress,

C. CONCLUSION
individuals are likely to deal with the problem by taking some precautions, such
*Restatement of the
thesis statement as controlling time with efficient organizational skills and keeping yourself
motivated through giving yourself small rewards or leaving a space for flaws.
*Evaluation /
These actions will promote a lifestyle that allows people to use their time
recommendation
productively. As a result, they will have time to spend for their hobbies. If you are

*Call for action suffering from this syndrome, you should find out the reasons behind it and try
strategies that will eliminate the negative effects.

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 ESKISEHIR TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SFL
PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY: INTRODUCTION

B. INTRODUCTION PART

Exercise 1. Read the following sentences and put them under correct parts. Put the sentences in
the background information in meaningful order.

A. Hook 1. This has led to several health issues including

eyesight problems, exhaustion, and not saving
time for responsibilities.
B. Definition of the problem and 2. A recent survey indicated that internet users spent
3 hours a day looking at their computer screens on
background information
average in 2023.
3. The solution for computer addiction is that you
need to monitor yourself more carefully and spend
C. Thesis Statement less time in front of your computer after finishing
all your schoolwork.
4. Computer addiction is a common problem
experienced among busy people like college
students.
5. Computers offer functions that make life easier.
Besides playing online games entertain users
during stressful time, which cause uncontrollable
use.
6. If it is not managed appropriately, overusing
computers may cause failure in grades and even
dropping out of school.

Exercise 2. Read the following introduction parts and identify the hook, background
information, and the thesis statement.

A. Everybody has seen towering icebergs cracking and collapsing into the ocean. It may seem like
scenes from a dramatic movie, but they reflect a harsh and pressing reality. Melting glaciers, the
gradual loss of ice from poles, have become a serious environmental concern in recent decades. One of
the main causes of this problem is global warming driven by human activities such as burning fossil
fuels. As a result, sea levels are rising by threatening coastal communities. Having a significant threat
to the planet, the issue of melting glaciers can be stopped through reducing carbon emissions and
investing in renewable energy sources.

B. Imagine spending years earning a degree only to find yourself jobless and uncertain about the
future. The increasing unemployment rate among university graduates has become a growing concern
in many countries. This leads to brain drain which means waste of valuable talent in the workforce.
The rising absence of job opportunities among university graduates has two possible solutions, such as,
revision of educational programs with industry needs and expansion of new career development
opportunities.

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 ESKISEHIR TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SFL
PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY: INTRODUCTION

Writing Thesis Statement

Thesis statement of a problem-solution essay consists of two parts:

A. Referring to the problem

B. Offering two solutions

Examples:

1. Having a significant threat to the planet, the issue of melting glaciers (problem) can be stopped
through reducing carbon emissions (solution 1) and investing in renewable energy sources (solution 2).

2. The rising absence of job opportunities among university graduates (Problem) has two possible
solutions, such as, revision of educational programs with industry needs (solution1) and expansion of
new career development opportunities (solution 2).

Useful structures to use while writing thesis statement to problem and solution essays

1.
a) _____(Problem), but it is possible to take it under control by (solution 1) and (Solution 2)
b) ________________, but this can be addressed by (solution 1) and (Solution 2)

Example: The rise in plastic pollution threatens marine life, but it is possible to take it under
control by increasing recycling efforts and banning single-use plastics.

Example: Melting icebergs is causing the sea level to rise, but this can be addressed by reducing
carbon emissions and investing in renewable energy sources

2.

a) _______(Problem), and/, so/, therefore, urgent/necessary/immediate steps, such as (solution 1)

and (solution 2) should be/must be/ need to be taken.

OR

b) _______(Problem), and/, so/, therefore, urgent/necessary/immediate steps should be/must be/

need to be taken, such as (solution 1) and (solution 2).

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 ESKISEHIR TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SFL
PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY: INTRODUCTION

Example: Cyberbullying continues to harm students emotionally or academically, so urgent steps

such as digital literacy education and stricter online policies must be taken.
Example: Rising pollution is putting the lives of many people into risks, therefore, immediate steps
should be taken, such as encouraging greener energies and increasing public transportation.

3. ______(problem) can be resolved with ____________(solution 1) and __________(solution 2)

Example: Environment pollution can be resolved with making recycling common and educating
young generation.
4. _____(problem) is best handled/dealt with/managed by ________(solution 1) and________(solution 2)

Example: Brain drain is an urgent issue and it is best handled by creating new career opportunities
and investing in education.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the following thesis statements with the structures above
1. The two effective solutions to the issue of food waste are promoting composting and improving
food distribution system
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2. Governments are likely to stop thousands of killings due to earthquakes in Turkey by encouraging
earthquake-resistant technologies and restricting the permission to house construction in risky areas.
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___________________________________________________________________________.

Group Work
Get into groups of four, or work with your partner. Choose one of the topics and research some
critical issues about it. Think about why it is an important issue. Then, make brainstorming and
generate solutions. Later, categorize them into two main solutions. At the end, write an introduction
paragraph. Use the guided questions below when you make brainstorming
1. What is a specific issue related to the topic?
2. Which group of people are affected by it?
3. Does it harm environment or social relations?
4. Why should it be solved?
5. What consequences would there be if it was not solved?
6. What are some possible solutions?
7. What solutions are related to each other? What solutions are different?

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 ESKISEHIR TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SFL
PROBLEM SOLUTION ESSAY: INTRODUCTION

Topics:
 Addiction  Rising global  Stress  Traffic
temperatures congestion

Topic: ______________________+ Solution1 ___________ and Solution 2___________

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