Persuasive Research Essay Guidelines



Problem-Solution Essay Guidelines

Core Level 5

Lori Rottenberg, Fall 2018

For your next writing assignment, you will write a problem-solution essay.

• The essay must have at least 5 paragraphs.

• The essay will include research from at least 2 different, reputable sources (no Wikipedia).

• The essay should explore a problem of interest to you and provide two possible solutions to this problem.

We will have some time to work on developing the various parts of the essay together in class.

Deadlines:

Friday, November 16: Final research topic chosen

November 16-19: Continue research, develop outline

Monday, November 19: Provide summary of sources you will use

November 19-26: Continue writing first draft

Tuesday, November 27, in class: First draft printed and ready to be read during peer review

Thursday, December 29, in class: Final draft printed and ready to turn in

You will be graded on the following 3 criteria (1/3 each):

← Content: How well do you explain your problem and provide support for your possible solutions? Are your opinions based on reputable research? Do you have an adequate number of sources?

← Structure: Good outline, good hook and thesis, matching topic sentences in body paragraphs, adequate number of supporting points and explanations for every topic sentence, and a conclusion that matches the thesis and the body.

← Surface: Correct verb forms, word forms, articles, spelling, capitalization, formatting, and punctuation.

Remember, you can get help from the Reference Desk at the library for your research needs, or use library.gmu.edu and look in Academic Search Complete or another reputable database.

SAMPLE OUTLINE FOR PROBLEM-SOLUTION ESSAY

I. Introduction

A. Hook______________________________________________________

B. Background information (briefly define the problem)__________________

____________________________________________________________

C. Thesis statement________________________________________________

II. Body Paragraph #1( Additional Background about the Problem—Reasons for Problem or Why It’s Significant/Extent of the Problem

A. Topic Sentence_______________________________________________________

B. Supporting Idea #1____________________________________________________

1. Example__________________________________________________________

2. Explanation of Example______________________________________________

C. Supporting Idea #2_____________________________________________________

1. Example__________________________________________________________

2. Explanation of Example______________________________________________

III. Body Paragraph #2( Proposed Solution #1

A. Topic Sentence________________________________________________________

B. Supporting Idea #1_____________________________________________________

1. Example__________________________________________________________

2. Explanation of Example______________________________________________

C. Supporting Idea #2_____________________________________________________

1. Example__________________________________________________________

2. Explanation of Example______________________________________________

IV. Body Paragraph #2( Proposed Solution #2

A. Topic Sentence________________________________________________________

B. Supporting Idea #1_____________________________________________________

1. Example__________________________________________________________

2. Explanation of Example______________________________________________

C. Supporting Idea #2_____________________________________________________

1. Example__________________________________________________________

2. Explanation of Example______________________________________________

V. Conclusion

A. Closing thoughts or reflections about the problem_____________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

B. Restate (paraphrase) thesis and major points_________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

C. Provide a recommendation or prediction____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

VI. References (Separate page—APA style)

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