Most of the problems we will be researching did not occur overnight. There will be a history* of events that led to the current situation. When and how did it start? Who is suffering? How many?
Include history directly linking or the problem or issue. For example, if you want to do away with the electoral college, we do not need a detailed history of how the Electoral College came about. Focus on the problem or area of concern.
- Policy Thesis: This should clearly state the controlling idea(s) of your paper which is based upon explaining a problem and discussing the possible solutions.
Focus on WHO (specifically) should do WHAT (specifically) and WHY (specifically). For example, the Federal government should dismantle the Electoral College and focus only on the popular vote in United States presidential elections to reflect the will of the American population.
- Causes of the problem:
- Discussion of contributing and significant causes of this problem.
Provide data which may include case histories, examples, statistical evidence or authoritative quotations. Who is causing the suffering? Why?
NUMBERS! ANECDOTES! TESTIMONIALS! RESEARCH!
- Who is benefiting from the situation?
- What national or international policies contribute to the problem? Who is contributing indirectly to the problem by not taking steps to stop it?
The only genuine restriction is that the materials presented in the body must provide clear and relevant support for your thesis.
NO OPINION, unless by experts.
III. Effects of the problem:
- Laws, regulations, and government programs that directly impact this issue can be effective evidence.
- Discussion of the effects this problem has on society, on people (immediate and long term), on the environment, on the economy, etc.
- What are the short-term and long-term impacts? What does the future hold in respect to this issue?
- Solutions to the problem (this section will be longer than any other):
- What logical solutions have been proposed in the past? How did these work out? Successes? Failures?
- What are solutions proposed for the future? What do the experts say? What do authoritative sources say?
- Deductions: What deductions can you logically draw from your research?
- The conclusion that will serve you best is one that briefly pulls together the main points of your essay and reinforces your controlling idea (thesis).
- The conclusion of a problem-solution essay should include a restatement of the problem and the benefits of the proposed solution.
- Call to action –What do you want your reader to do now or to better understand.
