Overview
For the Problem-Solution Research Essay, you should pick a topic that has a direct impact on your life. Think of an issue that you are deeply interested in and that affects your daily living. The best research papers are about something that interests you. Don’t forget that this is a persuasive paper; your primary purpose is to convince your readers that your proposed solution to the problem is the best one for the given situation. This essay requires the following:
5-page (including 1 Works Cited page; 6 pages in total), double-spaced, 12 point font
A three-point thesis statement. Please see the “How to Write a Great Thesis” announcement.
Use the Research Paper Outline below
You are required to have 5 sources. All research sources must be credible, which means they are professional and academic. FSW’s library database is the best place to find credible sources.
2 academic journal articles found using FSW’s library databases
3 out of 5 of your sources can be from .org or .gov websites
.com sources are not accepted
You will write an essay proposing a solution to a problem faced by a community or group to which you belong, and address your proposal to anyone who might help solve the problem. This paper should be in MLA format, including the headers, page numbers, and in-text citations and Works Cited page. Use Times New Roman 12 point font as your font type, please. (Use that for the Essay and for the Topic Proposal and Annotated Bibliography, too. Make sure that all 3 of these assignments are formatted in MLA format, from the paper headers to the titles to the citations.)
Research Paper Outline
Page 1
Introduction Paragraph:
Thesis: Please see the How to Write a Great Thesis announcement
Body Paragraph 1: Write a topic sentence that reflects the first point in your thesis. Add a few more sentences, then quote from one your sources and explain the quote (Quote 1 from a source).
Page 2
Body Paragraph 2: Write another topic sentence that still relates to (or offers another angle on) the first point in your thesis. Add a few more sentences, then quote from one your sources and explain the quote (Quote 2 from a source).
Body Paragraph 3: Write a topic sentence that reflects the second point in your thesis. Add a few more sentences, then quote from one your sources and explain the quote (Quote 3 from a source).
Page 3
Body Paragraph 4: Write another topic sentence that still relates to (or offers another angle on) the second point in your thesis. Add a few more sentences, then quote from one your sources and explain the quote (Quote 4 from a source).
Body Paragraph 5: Write a topic sentence that reflects the third point in your thesis. Add a few more sentences, then quote from one your sources and explain the quote (Quote 5 from a source).
Page 4
Body Paragraph 6: Write another topic sentence that still relates to (or offers another angle on) the third point in your thesis. Add a few more sentences, then quote from one your sources and explain the quote (Quote 6 from a source).
Body Paragraph 7: Address the counterargument. It is important that you anticipate opposition (readers’ objections and questions regarding your argument). At some point in the paper, you need to acknowledge your opposition and deal with opposition points. You can choose to either completely refute an opposition point, or you can choose to concede that the opposition’s point is of some value. You may find that you do both of these things at the same time.
Page 5
Body Paragraph 8: Address a second counterargument.
Conclusion Paragraph: Write a thesis restatement and then discuss the significance of the three points in your thesis.
Page 6
Works Cited page
Sample Paper Topics
Problem Solution
Classes fill up too quickly and students are unable to graduate on time. More online classes should be offered to allow students to finish their degrees on time without putting undue stress on campus resources, such as classroom space.
Students cannot get financial aid without information from their parents if they are under the age of 24. Financial aid should only require parental information if the student is still claimed as a dependent on his or her parents’ taxes.
Single parents struggle to juggle their parenting and work responsibilities. There should be more opportunities for telecommuting.
Child care is too expensive. Child care centers should write grants to increase funding and reduce costs to parents.
Working students cannot get to campus during the day for registration, advising or financial services. College administrative offices should stay open in the evenings and weekends to accommodate these students.
An organization you belong to is running out of money because no one pays dues. This organization should raise money through fundraisers and activities instead of membership fees.
College admission policies put too much emphasis on standardized tests, penalizing those who are poor test takers but excellent students. Colleges should assess students based solely on GPA, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation.
Sample Essay
Please be sure to review the following sample student essay. Download sample student essay.
Evaluation
Your essay must have:
A well-defined problem.
A clearly described solution. (In some cases 1-2 clear solutions may be ok, too.)
A convincing argument in support of the solution(s).
An anticipation of readers’ objections and questions—counterargument(s). It is important in this assignment that you address your opposition. At some point in the paper, you need to acknowledge your opposition and deal with opposition points. You can choose to either completely refute an opposition point, or you can choose to concede that the opposition’s point is of some value. You may find that you do both of these things at the same time (You may use counter arguments in the section of your paper where you define the problem—the counter arguments could show why the other side does not think the problem is really a problem. Or you could use counter arguments in the section of your paper where you offer a solution, showing that the other side does not agree with your proposed solution. Or you could include counter arguments in both areas of your essay. Wherever you include counter arguments, you must make it clear that the other side’s viewpoint is not your viewpoint and you must always refute or concede!)
Evidence to back up your ideas. You will be conducting research to find statistics, facts, quotes from experts, and studies. You should also conduct an interview if it’s a possibility for your topic. Hypothetical examples, anecdotes, and personal experience can also be used in this paper. (You may need to use evidence to define your problem and really convince your reader it really is a problem. You will also likely need evidence to support the validity of your proposed solution.) You must use 5-7 research sources in this paper. Research sources can include magazines, books, credible internet web sites, scholarly journals, articles from NC Live and interviews. You will use MLA documentation to give credit to your sources through in-text citations and a Works Cited page. No more than 3 of your sources can be internet web sites and you must use at least one database article.
Please review Grading Standards Policy for college-level writing expectations. As with your previous essay, please write this essay in an academic voice: avoid the words “you” and “your” and if you use the word “I” make sure it is in connection with a personal example. Avoid phrases like “I think,” “I feel,” or “I believe.”
