Problem-Solution

The Problem Solution Essay
__The Chocolate War__ There were many problems at Trinity school. First, there was a clandestine gang of boys that ran the social network. Second, there was a corrupt headmaster who misused funds and fostered devious relationships with students from whom he needed support for his chocolate sale. Are there more? Yes, there are, and in this essay, I would like you to put your finger on one problem and look its causes and its effects. Can you list them? You should. Or consider using a graphic organizer from Inspiration to help you lay out your ideas. In your search for problems, consider different elements of the text. For instance, what **characters** cause **problems**? What can you say about their **make**-**up** that informs these problems? How does **setting** influence the story? How does the **absence of women and girls** contribute to problems in Trinity's society? How does the author convey **mood** in this story, and do those elements point to societal or personal problems? Finally, what different **conflicts** manifest themselves in this story? Who is battling whom? Who is battling what?

Begin with Prewriting.
You will find the Plot Relationships chart on the "Groups" Server, in your English 10 folder, in the "Class Documents folder." Open it, and SAVE it to your own folder. In each column, write about a character and what they wanted. Then write about the hurtle they faced, and then the result of their actions. Here is the document.


 * DUE: posted on your wiki by 1/27/10**

After you complete the plot-relationships chart, I would like you to create a graphic organizer that helps you understand the nature of conflict in the text. The key elements to consider are:
 * Character
 * their problem
 * the cause(s) of that problem
 * the effect(s) of that problem
 * the (possible) solution(s) of that problem

You may use Inspiration in the Writing Center to help you sketch out these ideas. Or, you may use a chart if that will work better. Here is the chart that Merritt created; you might find it useful. If you see it in bubbles and links instead of columns and rows, then the Inspiration diagram might be for you. You might try something like this.

One thing this chart does not include is **EXAMPLES from the TEXT**. Well, we know that you cannot write an essay that is persuasive without some textual excerpts (quotes), so you should find a way to put them in this chart. Once you finish, go from the FILE drop down menu to EXPORT. Then, under the Graphics tab, save it as a .gif. Save it to your own folder, and then upload it to your My_Writing page under your Problem-Solution Essay.

**DUE: posted on your wiki by 1/28/10**

For this paper, I would like you to write an outline of how the paper looks. QUICK TIP: You might try using your above Inspiration document to create it. All you have to do is click on the View drop-down menu, and go to Outline. It will change your document from BUBBLES to OUTLINE. If that doesn't work, __consider this format__:
 * Outline**

...A. Hook--attention-getting device ...B. Notation of title and author of text ...C. (THESIS) Identification of the problem and brief (in a sentence) explanation of causes, effects and possible solutions. ...A. Topic Sentence ...B. Explanation ...C. Support from text ...D. Further Explanation ...E. More Support from text ...F. Clincher Statement: sums up argument & evidence, transitions to next point ...A. Topic Sentence ...B. Explanation ...C. Support from text ...D. Further Explanation ...E. More Support from text ...F. Clincher Statement: sums up argument & evidence, transitions to next point ...A. Topic Sentence ...B. Explanation ...C. Support from text ...D. Further Explanation ...E. More Support from text ...F. Clincher Statement: sums up argument & evidence, transitions to next point ...A. Thesis Sentence ...B. Recapitulation of causes & effects ...C. Suggested solution ...D. Specific examples from text where Solution could be applied ...E. Explanation ...F. Close: sums up argument completely, convincingly
 * [TITLE]**
 * I. INTRODUCTION**
 * II. IDENTIFY AND EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM**
 * III. CAUSE(S) OF IDENTIFIED PROBLEM**
 * IV. EFFECT(S) OF IDENTIFIED PROBLEM**
 * V. CONCLUSION--SOLUTION(S) TO IDENTIFIED PROBLEM**

**DUE: posted on your wiki by 1/28/10**

Please __**print**__ a double-spaced copy in size 12 font, Times New Roman to be turned in at the beginning of class. Be sure your essay has a title, your name, date and class. Do you best to follow the outline to make sure it has all the required parts of the essay.
 * Draft 1**

**DUE: turned into instructor and posted on your wiki by 2/1/10**


 * Assessment Rubric **



_________ Writing the Problem-Solution Essay for a Different Text

__A Lesson Before Dying__ Write a __Problem-Solution Essay__ of approximately 300-800 words that addresses a **problem** that exists in the text __A Lesson Before Dying__ by Ernest J. Gaines. What problem, you ask? Well, start thinking about the types of **//conflict//** that exist in the story, and the problems won’t be far behind. As we discussed in class, //defining the problem//, examining its //causes//, its //effects//, and ultimately, its //solutions//, will all be important elements in how you organize your essay. Hopefully your outline covers these essential elements which will help you map out your writing.

Like the comparison essay, you will want to organize your essay with an //introduction//, //body//, and //conclusion//. A //thesis statement// (//occasion// and a //position//) at the end of the introduction will be a primary consideration of the essay, so you will want to spend some time constructing it. Remember to use a //working thesis// model, not an eraser. Also, as you are linking point to point, idea to idea, you will want to use //transition words//. See Writers Inc 114-115 for more. Further, when it comes to supporting your contentions with quotes from the story (required, at least four), you will want to use parenthetical notation to cite the source (author #). Please type your essay, double-spaced, in Times New Roman, size 12.
 * Format**


 * Graphic Organizer of the Problem Solution Essay-5 pts
 * Outline of your paper __with a working thesis-__ 5pts.
 * Draft 1 of your Essay-10 pts., and the Peer-review-5pts.
 * * ** Draft 2 of your essay-10 pts.