Essays Suggesting Solutions to Problems
An essay discussing problems and suggesting solutions is a formal piece of writing. In such a composition the problem and its causes must clearly be stated, followed by suggestions and then the results or consequences expected by these suggestions.
A successful task of this type ought to consist of:
| an introductory paragraph in which the problem is stated, how it has been caused and the consequences: |
| a main body in which suggested solutions are presented, each one in a separate paragraph together with consequences; and |
| a conclusion in which your opinion is summarized. |
Points worth considering
Each paragraph contains a topic sentence which sums up the paragraph content.
Linking devices appropriately used to show the connection between paragraphs as well as the sentences within a paragraph.
Linking devices appropriately used to show the connection between paragraphs as well as the sentences within a paragraph.
Suggested techniques to begin and end your essay
| Make a reference to an interesting or powerful idea/scenario/situation. Imagine hundreds of people babbling away in their mother tongue in a contained space for hours on end. |
| Address your reader directly. Be thoughtful when using this method. You may think this is an exaggeration And/or employ a rhetorical question Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be trapped in a situation where every language was spoken but yours? |
| Start with a quotation or thought-provoking statement. “The glorious messiness of English. Its tolerance for change has made it the global language.” Robert MacNeil once said in a speech. |
| In the last paragraph you state your opinion and give a balanced consideration of the topic. You may include: Finishing with a quotation/a rhetorical question or something to consider |
Functional Language: Linking devices
| Expressing cause: since, owing to, the reason that/why..., because, etc. |
| Expressing effect/result: as a result, the consequence is..., consequently, etc. |
| Expressing purpose: so as to..., in order to..., so that..., etc. |
| Expressing possibility/probability: It may/might..., it is likely/unlikely that..., the likelihood/unlikelihood/probability is, etc. |
Functional Language: Problems and Solutions
| Measures must be taken in order to overcome/deal with/combat... . Steps should/ought to be taken so as to eradicate/solve/put an end to... . Serious attempts to halt … must be made. |
| One way to deal with this problem is... . Another manner to overcome the problem of ...would be... . An alternative channel to eradicate this nuisance might be... . |
| We should focus our attention to solve the problem of... . Administration must focus their attention on overcoming the situation by... . |
| If steps/measures were taken to ... the effect/result would be... . If attempts were made to address the issue, the consequence would be... . By ____ing, we can ensure that... . |
| The outcome of ____(noun)/____ing would/might be … . |
Exercise
Please click the Exercise link to continue.