PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ESSAYS (1)

PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
ESSAYS
(Lesson 1)


Introduction
• 1-2 sentences with
general statements
about the topic
• the topic being
discussed

• the plan of the essay

A generation ago, teaching in a
high school was considered an
extremely well-respected and
popular job, and in some
countries,
is parts
still true.
However,
in this
many
of the
world, there has been a sharp
drop in the number of young
people who want to become
high-school teachers.
This essay will look at the
reasons for this and propose

some solutions


Vocabulary to write about
problems
• Firstly, perhaps the worst problem stemming from
this is (N/ that SV).
• Secondly, another major/largest problem we need
to deal with is
• A further issue we need to deal with is (N/ that SV)
• Another problem we are faced up to relates to (N).
• Finally, there is undoubtedly the problem of (N)
caused to (sb)
• Finally, the issue of (N) must be taken into great
consideration.


Vocabulary to write
about solutions
•
•
•
•
•
•

A solution for the government is to …
To tackle this problem, you should …
The way forward might be to …
This problem could be addressed by …

Dealing with this issue involves …
Turning to possible solutions, one key step that
should be taken is (N/that SV)
• To tackle the problem of (N), we could also (V)
• Also, the answer to the question could partly lie in
(N)
• Finally, a conscious effort should be made in
order to (V)


Developing the topic
sentences
Linking phrases to explain the main idea
That is to say, … In other words, …
Giving reasons
This is because …/ The reason is …
Describing facts
… which means that …
Describing the result
As a result, …/ As a consequence, …/ Therefore, …


Word-build


PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
ESSAYS
(Lesson 2)

Clauses and Phrases of
Purposes
SV so that/ in order that SV.
So that/ In order that SV, SV
Many parents with young children only work part time so
that [they can pay more attention to their children’s study]
SV in order to/ so as to/ to V.
In order to/ So as to/ To V, SV
Many parents with young children only work part time so
as to …


Contrasting ideas
Although/ Even though/ Though SV, SV.
SV although/ even though/ though SV
Although [it is true that] teachers work long hours, [I believe
that] teaching is a very worthwhile and important job.
SV. However/ Nonetheless, SV.
Many people say that living alone can be difficult and
lonely. Nonetheless, I think that there are more advantages
of having your own place, such as being able to do
whatever you like.


Use second conditional
sentences to write about
solutions
If + S + V(past simple), S + would do
If the government reduced the tax on fresh produce, people
would eat more fruit and vegetable and less unhealthy

food.


Build a good paragraph
• Body
paragraph 1

• Body paragraph 1
– problem 1
– solution 1

– problem 1
– problem 2
– problem 3

• Body paragraph 2

• Body
paragraph 2

• Body paragraph 3

– solution 1
– solution 2
– solution 3

– problem 2
– solution 2
– problem 3
– solution 3

Build a good paragraph
5
2
1
4
3

a) As a result, this would hopefully encourage
consumers to buy healthier food and therefore lost
weight.
b) It is common these days for people to eat
takeaway food or pick up a ready meal from the
supermarket, rather than cook a healthy meal.
c) One of the reasons that so many people are
overweight is that they eat junk food instead of
cooking a healthy meal.
d) To address this issue, [many people suggest that]
the government could increase sales tax on food
considered
e)
For instance,
to beinunhealthy.
the UK, [it is true that] sales of
pre-prepared meals, which contain high levels of fat
and salt, have increased dramatically in the last few
years.

the result of the solution

the supporting sentences
(explaining the main idea)

the main idea
the solution to the
problem
an example


Grammar and vocabulary to
write conclusions
To sum up, in my view, the shortage of teachers
in secondary schools is a serious problem, and
unless we can attract more talented young people
into this kind of teaching, our children's education
will start to suffer. Governments must take steps
to
with
theisproblem
asthat
soon
as possible.
All deal
in all,
there
no doubt
obesity
is an
increasingly worrying issue, affecting both
children and adults. As I see it, governments,

parents and schools all have a role to play in
tackling the problem. Action must be taken
urgently, otherwise our societies will face
(confront) even greater health problems in the
future.


Grammar and vocabulary to
write conclusions
Unless = If … not (condition)/Otherwise
= or = or else (result) can be used to
show what will happen if we do not start to
- solve
Unless
weproblem.
can attract more talented
the
young people into this kind of teaching,
our children's education will start to suffer.
- Action must be taken urgently, otherwise
our societies will face even greater health
problems in the future.