ENG 111—Fall 2007
Essay #3: Proposing a Solution
Assignment: In the last essay we’ve argued about a lot of problems: gun control,
foreign policy, the war in Iraq, etc. But please—let’s stop all this arguing and start
thinking what we can do about it! For this essay, I want you not only to identify a
problem, but suggest a possible solution for this problem. This will be similar to the
Arguing a Position essays only in that you will use the components of argumentation we
have learned to convince your reader that the solution you propose is the best. For your
essay, I want you to write an essay that communicates to your audience a problem and
proposes a solution. Your essay should be between 3-5 pages.
The Rough Draft is due Monday, 10/15. The Final Draft is due Friday, 10/26.
Audience and Purpose: Your audience should be a person or group of people who have
the power to make your solution happen. In this kind of essay, just writing to the general
public would be pointless; yes they might care, but they wouldn’t be able to do anything
about it.
Your purpose for this essay is to define the problem, decide your position, provide clear
and supp orted arguments for your solution, evaluate other possible solutions, address
objections you anticipate from your audience, and argue which solution is better than the
others.
Components:
◊ Introduction. Use one or more of the introductory strategies we will discuss in
class.
◊ Define the Problem. What is it and why is it important? What might happen if
this problem is not solved? What has been done in the past to solve it, and why
did it fail?
◊ Thesis. State that something should/must be done and introduce what your
solution is to make sure that it is solved.
◊ Describe Your Solution. What is your plan? What should be done to make it
work? How should it be done? Why is your solution the best solution to the
problem? Use several reasons here to convince your audience that you are correct,
and also that a great deal can be accomplished if your solution is implemented.
◊ Counterarguments to Your Solution. What objections could be made by your
audience about your proposed solution? Refute or concede to all of the
objections, and tell why your solution is still the best solution despite objections,
and why it is worth implementing.
