COMPARISON & CONTRAST
PARAGRAPHS
PROBLEM SOLUTION PARAGRAPHS
❖A problem-solution paragraph identifies a problem, or problems, and recommends a
plausible solution(s). Problem-solution paragraphs consider the problems of a particular
situation, and give solutions to those problems.
❖Problem-solution has the following four components:
• Situation
• Problem
• Solution
• Evaluation
❖This method of internal organization splits the paragraph, or paragraph block, into four
easily-recognizable parts:
• Use a topic sentence to explore the paragraph’s main idea, or claim (the problem that
will be explored).
• Provide a description of the problem for the reader.
• Provide a description of the solution(s) for the reader.
• Include a conclusion sentence to describe whether all solutions are applicable or
whether one solution is better than the others.
❖Structure:
There are two main ways to structure a problem-solution
paragraph/essay namely using a block or a chain structure. For
the block structure, all of the problems are listed first, and all
of the solutions are listed afterwards. For the chain structure,
each problem is followed immediately by the solution to that
problem. Both types of structure have their merits. The
former is generally clearer, especially for shorter essays, while
the latter ensures that any solutions you present relate
directly to the problems you have given.
❖ Linking problems with solutions
The supporting sentences show how your solution(s) will solve
the problem. Use these phrases:
In order to solve these problems…
To meet this need…
A second/third/final answer is…
One answer is…
In order to overcome these problems…
One solution is…
One thing we can do is…
• How to write a problem paragraph: A problem paragraph
describes and discusses a problem issue. The topic sentence
names the issue you will discuss. The supporting sentences show
why this issue is a problem.
• The first conditional structures is a useful way to talk about both
problems and solutions.
Modal + main verb Simple Present
• Example:
Fish will get ill if factories dump their waste intostreams. If
you eat fish from polluted water, you could get sick too.
EXAMPLE 1:
Climate change is altering weather patterns, making events
such as droughts, floods and droughts more severe and
frequent. These events can have a significant impact on global
food production resulting in crop failure, livestock mortality
and food shortages. One possible solution to this problem is to
practice climate-friendly agriculture practices. These practices
will help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns and also
help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Crop rotation,
intercropping, agroforestry, and the use of drought-resistant
crops are examples of such techniques
Deforestation is a serious problem One solution to the problem of deforestation
is to use less paper. If you use less paper,
because forests and trees aren’t just fewer trees will be cut for paper making. How
pretty to look at, they do an important can you use less paper? One answer is to
job making the earth’s environment reduce your paper use by using both sides of
suitable for life. They clean the air, store the paper when you photocopy, write a letter,
water, preserve soil, and provide homes or write an essay. A second answer is to reuse
old paper when you can, rather than using a
for animals. They also supply food, fuel, new sheet of paper. The backs of old
wood products, and paper products for envelopes are perfect for shopping lists or
humans. In the past fifty years, more phone messages, and when you write a rough
than half of the world’s rainforests have draft of an essay, write it on the back of
been destroyed. Today, the forests of the something else. A final answer is to recycle
used paper products instead of throwing
world are being cut down at a rate of fifty them away. Most schools, offices, and
acres every minute! Scientists say that if districts have some kind of recycling center. If
deforestation continues, the world’s you follow the three Rs – reduce, reuse, and
climate may change, floods may become recycle –, you can help save the world’s
more common, and animals will die. forests.
