Problem solving

Proposal/Proposal/Problem SolvingProblem Solving

Proposal/Proposal/Problem SolvingProblem Solving

ENG 111, College Composition IENG 111, College Composition I

Proposal/Problem Solving

• A problem is a situation, condition, attitude, person, place, or thing that is a “source of perplexity, distress, or vexation.”

• A problem can be global or local.

• *a proposal paper and a problem solving paper are the same thing.

Key Features• A well-defined problem• A recommended solution• Convincing argument for proposed

solution• Anticipate questions• A call to action• An appropriate tone

Techniques for Problem Solving• Analyze the political, social, cultural

context.• Identify and understand the audience.• Demonstrate that a problem exists.• Propose a solution or solutions.• Persuade the audience that the

proposal will work; address objections.• Support the problem and solutions with

evidence.

Demonstrate that a Problem Exists

• Identify the problem.• Define it.• Indicate whom it affects.• Provide evidence that it exists.

– Expert opinion– Examples– Statistics– Personal Experience

Proposing a Solution and Convincing the

Audience• Make specific recommendations.• Provide reasons.• Provide evidence: statistics,

examples, expert opinion, personal experience.

• Examine feasibility and drawbacks.

Problem Solving: Choosing a Subject

• Narrow the topic.• Identify your audience.

Collecting • Identify and Focus on the Specific

Problem:– Who?– What?– When?– Where?– Why?

• Prove that the Problem Exists.

Collecting• Demonstrate That the Problem

Needs a Solution.– Discuss the effects of the problem,

both short-term and long-term.

Collecting

• Discover Possible Solutions.– Explain what caused the problem– Ask “What if?” to explore solutions.

Collecting

• Evaluate Possible Solutions.– Apply the “If . . . then” test.– Does the proposal:

• Solve the problem?• Meet certain criteria, such as cost-

effectiveness, practicality, ethicality, legality?

• Avoid creating new problems?

Collecting

• Convince the Audience.– Provide reasons.– Provide evidence: statistics, expert

opinion, examples, personal experience.

Collecting

• Answer Possible Objections to the Proposal.– List drawbacks.– List responses.

Collecting

• List Possible Steps for Implementation.

• Call for Action.

Collecting

• Provide Evidence by Reading and Investigating.– Interview participants or authorities.– Use a questionnaire or survey.– Find articles or web sites addressing

the problem.

Shaping the Problem Solution

• Pick a genre:– Problem Solving PatternIntroduce the ProblemIdentify and Demonstrate the Problem Provide SolutionsAddress Possible Objections/DrawbacksImplement the Plan/Call to Action

Shaping the Problem Solution

• Pick a genre:– Point-by-Point Pattern

Introduce the ProblemIdentify and Demonstrate the ProblemPoint #1: solution, evidence, objections,

feasibilityPoint #2: solution, evidence, objections,

feasibilityPoint #3: solution, evidence, objections,

feasibilityImplementation and Call to Action

Shaping the Problem Solution

• Pick a genre:– Alternative Pattern Introduce the ProblemIdentify and Demonstrate the ProblemSolution #1: Why It’s Not SatisfactorySolution #2: Why It’s Not SatisfactorySolution #3: Why It Works Best +

Evidence, Objections, FeasibilityImplementation and Call to Action

Shaping the Problem Solution

• Pick a genre:– Step-by-Step Pattern Introduce the Problem Identify and Demonstrate the ProblemPlan for Implementing the SolutionStep #1: Reasons and evidenceStep #2: Reasons and evidenceStep #3: Reasons and evidenceCall for Action

Citing Sources

• Mention sources in the text.• List sources at the end under

References.• Follow the APA format on the

tutorial or in the text. • NOTE: At least three outside

sources are required.

APA Format• In-text citation gets the author’s last name

(if none, the title) and the copyright year. (Jones, 2005). However, if it is a direct quote, the page number is added with p. or pp. (Jones, 2005, p. 1).

• If using the author’s name in the sentence, the copyright date comes behind his name:

According to Jones (2005), APA style is a difficult citation format for first-time learners. (paraphrase)

According to Jones (2005), “APA style is a difficult citation format for first-time learners” (p. 1).

APA Continued • The website address is included

behind the phrase: Retrieved from http://www.etc. (do not use the web address in the in-text)

• Quotations are not used for minor titles in the Reference list, but are used in the in-text citation. (Still do not use all of the title if it is long, just the beginning.)

APA Continued• In the WC is now called References

and the copyright switches to be behind the initial of the author’s name. Titles only get the first words capitalized unless there is a colon or it is a professional journal.

Example of Works Cited

Works Cited

Jones, E. (2005). The challenge facing our nation.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Retrieved

on November 19, 2010 from:

http://www.billandmelindagatesfoundation.com

(Use double-spacing and hanging indent)

Example of Internal Citation

“This is a direct quote” (Jones, 2005, p. 1).

This is a paraphrase (Jones, 2005).(Use the author’s last name or the

title and the copyright year; use a comma if there is a page number and put p. for one page and pp. for more than one. The end punctuation goes after the citation.)

Revising• Before posting your paper:

– Gain some distance and objectivity.– Look at the Guidelines for Revision.

• Post the paper in Group File Exchange.

• After completing the group forum:– Read the suggestions from other group

members.– Make the necessary changes.– Send the second draft to the instructor.