Week 6 - Problem-Solution and Persuasion

Question 1

as the term implies, presents and identifies a
problem and proposes possible solution/s. In composing this type of essay,
you must present an argument or stand and support it with reliable evidence
in order to persuade the readers to make a particular move or action
(Kemper et.al, 2016).

Answer 1

Problem-solution paragraphs

Question 2

According to Soles (2010), topics for problem-solution essays “are typically
framed in the form of questions.” Problem-solution essay can provide
answers to 5W and 1H (who, what, when, where, why, and how) questions.
Soles (2010) added that this type of essay has essentially two parts: “a full
explanation of the nature of the problem, followed by an analysis of solutions
and their likelihood of success.”

Answer 2

Read

Question 3

What are Structure of paragraphs in a problem-solution essay

Answer 3

Nordquist (1995) suggested the following structure of a problem-solution
paper that may serve as a guide on what to include in this type of essay:
1. Introduction. At the forefront of the essay, the introduction must
serve to capture the reader’s attention. This may contain the thesis
statement wherein the problem or topic at hand is presented. This is
where the problem is defined, and the reason why it is significant to a
specific group of people (or the target audience).
2. Problem Paragraph. This paragraph/s will dwell on the elaboration of
the problem, effectively conveying the importance of a solution. You
may present reliable sources and evidence to support your stand.
3. Solution Paragraph. Present and describe a concrete solution to the
problem. Explain how this solution is better than other probable
solutions.
4. Conclusion. Conclude the essay with connection between the problem
and its proposed solution.

Question 4

At the forefront of the essay, the introduction must
serve to capture the reader’s attention. This may contain the thesis
statement wherein the problem or topic at hand is presented. This is
where the problem is defined, and the reason why

Answer 4

Introduction

Question 5

This paragraph/s will dwell on the elaboration of
the problem, effectively conveying the importance of a solution. You
may present reliable sources and evidence to support your stand

Answer 5

Problem Paragraph

Question 6

Present and describe a concrete solution to the
problem. Explain how this solution is better than other probable
solutions

Answer 6

Solution paragraph

Question 7

Conclude the essay with connection between the problem
and its proposed solution

Answer 7

Conclusion

Question 8

Read the following example of a problem-solution paragraph

Answer 8

Silk
Legends record that about 2640 BC a Chinese Empress, Si-Ling-Chi watched
the little silk worms spin cocoons in the mulberry trees. She unwound one of
the threads from a cocoon. It was one very long strand of shiny thread. Silk
has the longest strand of any natural plant or animal fibre. The challenge was
to develop some kind of winding devise so that the silk thread could be made
into cloth. No one knows for sure when the Chinese first developed silk
winding machines. However, there is mention of such devices in Chinese
dictionaries in the 2nd century AD. Actual spinning wheels, however, came
much later, perhaps the 11th century AD. Even today, China is the world’s
leading producer of quality silk cloth.

Question 9

this essays seek to urge readers to
take a particular action (Forlini, et.al, 1990). The main goal of persuasive
essays is to convince the reader to agree to the writer’s opinion or at the very
least, take it into serious consideration.

Answer 9

persuasion essays

Question 10

According to Forlini (1990), “the purpose of persuasive writing is to obtain
the reader’s agreement on a matter of opinion.”

Answer 10

read

Question 11

The statements given in persuasive essays are heavy on opinion while based
on facts. The opinions of the writer must be (a) controversial enough or
something that would inspire conversation and debate, (b) significant and
interesting, and (c) supported by evidence. (Forlini, 1990)

Answer 11

read

Question 12

Tone is crucial in writing persuasive essays. Reasonable and fair language
would win over readers while strong and negative words may cause the
writer’s work to lose credibility.

Answer 12

Tone

Question 13

Supporting details weigh the most in
persuasive essays as these will serve as reasons for readers to support your
stand or argument. These supporting details are founded by facts and
thoroughly explained for the readers’ benefit.

Answer 13

Supporting details

Question 14

It is also vital that in order to prove your stand, you must thoroughly
research about the issue you are about to discuss. Make a list of your
strongest arguments composed of facts and data. Introduce a new reason or
fact with every paragraph.

Answer 14

Supporting details

Question 15

Some of the transitional expressions used in persuasive paragraphs are the
following (PBWorks):

Answer 15

 Give reasons
o First (second, third, etc.)
o Another, next
o Last, finally
o Because, since, for
o Although
 Answer the opposition
o Of course
Course Module
o Some may say
o Nevertheless
o On the other hand
 Draw conclusion
o Therefore
o Thus
o Hence
o Consequently

Question 16

Reasons Why Marijuana Should Be Legal
People of the United States should push for the legalization of marijuana. The
first reason being the amount of money that our government spends every
year on the “war on drugs”. The government’s money could be spent in so
many other ways. The second reason it should be legalized is to limit the
amount of people that get put in jails for marijuana, when there are far wor se
people out there that need to be put in jail. Marijuana arrests in the United
States doubled between 1991 and 1995. In 1995, more than one-half-million
people were arrested for marijuana offenses. Eighty-six percent of them were
arrested for marijuana possession. Tens of thousands of people are now in
prison or marijuana offenses. An even greater number are punished with
probation, fines, and civil sanctions, including having their property seized,
their driver’s license revoked, and their employment terminated. Despite
these civil and criminal sanctions, marijuana continues to be readily available
and widely used. (Fact Sheet) A third reason is that marijuana is not as
harmful as alcohol, which causes 50% of all traffic accidents a year. In 1972,
after reviewing the scientific evidence, the National Commission on
Marihuana and Drug Abuse concluded that while marijuana was not entirely
safe, its dangers had been grossly overstated. Since then, researchers have
conducted thousands of studies of humans, animals, and cell cultures. None
reveal any findings dramatically different from those described by the
National Commission in 1972. In 1995, based on thirty years of scientific
research editors of the British medical journal Lancet concluded that “the
smoking of cannabis, even long term, is not harmful to health.” (Fact Sheet)
And yet another reason why marijuana should be legal is because is helps all
sorts of people with medical problems. Marijuana has been shown to be
effective in reducing the nausea induced by cancer chemotherapy,
stimulating appetite in AIDS patients, and reducing intraocular pressure in
people with glaucoma. There is also appreciable evidence that marijuana
reduces muscle spasticity in patients with neurological disorders. A synthetic
capsule is available by prescription, but it is not as effective as smoked
marijuana for many patients. Pure THC may also produce more unpleasant
psychoactive side effects than smoked marijuana. Many people use
marijuana as a medicine today, despite its illegality. In doing so, they risk
arrest and imprisonment. (Fact Sheet) With all of these great things that can
be done with marijuana, why keep it away from those who could use it?
(Johnson, 2005)

Answer 16

Persuasion essay