Problem-Solution Paper

Assignment Details:

Length: Your paper should be approximately 500-1000 words. Your reference list and any visuals are not included in the word count.

Heading: The following heading should appear on your paper, single-spaced.

Title of Work (e.g., Problem-Solution Draft)

Field of Study / Documentation Style Used (e.g., Computer Science / IEEE)

Audience (Your audience can be readers with little knowledge of your topic or peers/those familiar with your topic.)

Format: Paragraphs should be indented and double-spaced; use 12-point Times New Roman.

Due dates: Your draft paper is due by Friday, Nov. 19

A draft is a well-organized and carefully edited paper that you consider to be your best work. The instructor will review your draft and provide feedback for improvement. You will then revise and resubmit

your final paper by Friday, Dec. 3.

You must receive advanced permission to submit a paper (including a draft) late.

If you do not submit a well-planned, developed, & complete draft on time, up to 50 points will be deducted from your final paper grade.

Organization/Development

1. Your Problem-Solution (PS) paper must include the following sections:

a. Describe a situation

b. Identify a problem

c. Describe or introduce a solution(s)

d. Evaluate the solution(s)

e. Conclusion (Only if your evaluation does not offer broad concluding statements.)

See Tables 2 and 3 on p. 103 for ways to organize a PS paper.

These sections do not need to be in separate paragraphs

1. For example, you might combine the “situation” and “problem” in one paragraph where you describe the context or background of a problem in your field. You might introduce a solution and evaluate it in one paragraph.

2. To help readers identify the sections of your paper, include subheadings with paragraphs.

e.g.,

Situation

or

Solution/Evaluation

In addition, each paragraph should

begin with a topic sentence that explains the purpose of that paragraph.

3. You can include visuals, such as tables or charts, to help explain your ideas.

Citation

4. You must use at least three (3) credible sources, such as peer-reviewed journal articles or

other source types as approved by the instructor. You must cite according to the

expectations of your field.

5. Paraphrase, summarize and quote source information. Before the due date, upload your

paper to iCollege and review Turnitin. Make appropriate changes and upload your paper

again for the instructor’s review.

6. You must include a reference list, based on the expectations of your field.

Grammar/Vocabulary

See the evaluation criteria for more information, but note the following:

7. Use appropriate language to control the strength of opinions (e.g., hedges, boosters,

attitude markers) (see pp.159-163).

8. Use a variety of cause/effect structures, including an “,–ing clause of effect”, when

appropriate (see pp. 115-119).

In fact, use ONE -ing clause of effect!

9. Use passive and active voice when appropriate (see pp. 119-125; pp. 129-132).

10. Use indirect (embedded) questions—not direct questions—when appropriate (see pp.133-135).

11. Use other language structures associated with academic writing style (e.g., mid-position

adverbs) (see pp. 22-25; p. 105).

12. Use skeletal phrases common in academia (see pp. 135-138 and the PS Vocabulary Chart).

13. If you include visuals, use the language of data commentary (see pp. 139+).