Writing a problem-solution essay

When you write a problem-solution essay, you need to state the problem clearly, analyse the causes of the problem objectively, and then suggest a solution based on your analysis. 1 Read the essay. Quote the line numbers where the following information is first introduced. 1 The description of the problem 5 The first cause of the problem 2 Figures to back up the description 6 The second cause of the problem 3 Rhetoric questions about the problem 7 The conclusion 4 A common mistake when thinking about 8 A possible solution the problem 2 Read the text again and answer the questions. 1 Is there a serious crime problem in the UK? Why? / Why not? 2 What two groups can play an important role in reducing the prison population? 3a) Look at the underlined expressions in the essay. Match them to these uses (1-5). 1 Describing consequences of the problem 2 Concluding 3 Describing causes of the problem 4 Suggesting solutions 5 Introducing the problem b) Match these expressions to the uses (1-5) described in exercise 3a). a The purpose / aim of this essay was to ... b (This) illustrates one of todays most important issues ... c This has led to / resulted in / brought about ... d In conclusion, ... e This is largely due to ... f There are a number of (other) options. These include ... What can we do about the rising number of people in prison in the UK? The number of people in the UK who are in prison represents a growing problem: the prison population has more than doubled since 1993.The current figure is 154 people per 100,000 in prison - in Germany the figure is 96, and in Sweden its 75. Why have the numbers increased so much? And what can be done to reduce them? The first reaction of many people to these figures is to conclude that the prison population is rising because more crimes are being committed. However, since 1995 the number of crimes being committed in the UK has steadily fallen. Evidently, there must be other factors which help to explain the situation. One of the causes of the high level of the prison population is politics. When a new government is elected the typical reaction is for the government to promise that they will be tough on crime, press for longer prison sentences and urge judges to send more people to prison. One of the consequences of this is that judges are now sending people to prison for less serious offences. Another important factor to take into account is the influence of the media, who started demanding longer sentences and an end to community-based measures after some high-profile cases. To sum up, it is clear that if we want to reduce the prison population in the UK, attitudes will need to change. One possible solution to the problem would be for politicians to stop trying to win support by promising to be tough on crime. In addition, the media must stop stirring public sentiment about this issue in a way that does not reflect the underlying reality of the situation. Introduction: the problem

Analysis of the causes of the problem (I)

Analysis of the causes of the problem (II)

Analysis of the causes of the problem (III)

Conclusion / Possible solutions

Learn to write a problem-solution essay. 4a) Find one example of parallelism in the first paragraph and one in the third. b) Choose the best option. Parallelism helps a writer to ... a) connect contrasting ideas.

b) connect similar ideas.

c) express a conclusion.

5 Choose the correct option to maintain the parallelism. 1 His time in prison was hard, frightening and fun / depressing. 2 We need to reduce prison sentences, send fewer people to jail, and release prisoners earlier for good behaviour / have more drink-driving controls. 3 The judge looked up, asked a question, and took notes / was very tall. 4 How often do you drive too quickly: often, rarely or never / when youre in a hurry? Extension 6a) Look at these examples. Which expressions of causes and effect are followed by a clause and which by a noun? 1 Owing to unrest in prisons, more prison guards are being employed. 2 He is a hardened criminal because he has spent many years in prison. 3 More people are now in prison because of a change in sentencing policy. 4 He was put on a witness protection programme owing to the fact that he was being threatened by the mafia. 5 Since the judge was very lenient, she wasnt sent to prison. b) Choose the correct option to complete the sentences. 1 Many people are now in prison owing to the fact that / because of pressure from the media. 2 Since / Because of this was the third time that he had stolen from a shop, he was sent to prison. 3 Politicians are worried owing to the fact that / because of the cost of keeping people in prison is high. 4 Bill was afraid owing to / because he might get the death penalty.

Practice 7 Write a problem-solution essay on ONE of these topics (200220 words). 1 Is prison the best answer for criminals? 2 How can we reduce the problem of gender violence? 3 How can we reduce the number of people out of work? 4 Pollution in big cities is very high. How can we reduce it? Writing plan Paragraph Paragraph Paragraph Paragraph Paragraph

1: 2: 3: 4: 5:

state the problem. explain the causes of the problem. give one or two possible solutions. give one or two further solutions. conclusion.

Check your essay

Have you clearly stated the problem? Have you included some figures to illustrate the problem? How you included one or two direct questions? Have you analysed the causes of the problem? Have you proposed solutions based on your analysis of the causes? Have you provided a conclusion which is consistent with the rest of the essay? Have you used some of the expressions covered in exercise 3? Have you used parallelism at least once? Have you checked the grammar, spelling and punctuation of your essay?

1 1-Para 1, lines 1-3 3-Para 1, lines 4-5 5-Para 3, line 1 7-Para 5, lines 1-2 2-Para 1, lines 3-4 4-Para 2, lines 2-3 6-Para 4, lines 1-2 8-Para 5, lines 2-6 2 1 Yes, prison population has doubled in the last 20 years 2 politicians and journalists 3a 1 One of the consequences is that 3 One of the causes of 5 represents a growing problem 2 To sum up 4 One possible solution 3b 1c 2d 3e 4f 5a/b 4a Sentences in italics in the composition 4b- option 5 1 depressing / 2 release prisoners earlier for good behaviour / 3 took notes / 4 never 6a owing to/because of + noun; since/because/owing to the fact that + clause 6b 1 because of 2 since 3 owing to the fact that 4 because