PROBLEM-SOLUTION WRITING PROMPTS

Think about the community in which you live. Think about what you could do to make it a better place. Choose one problem that needs to be solved to make your community a better place to live. Write a letter to the editor describing how solving this problem would make your community a better place. Tell what you would do. Give reasons why you think your plan would work.

Think about what you could do to make your school more beautiful. Think about how you would do this. How could you persuade the people in your school that your idea is a good one? Write a letter to the principal of your school asking for support for your plan for making your school more beautiful. Tell what you would do and how you would do it. Explain why you think your plan is important and why it would work.

Someone you know has a pet that is causing problems. Write an article for a newspaper describing how you would solve the problem the pet is causing. First, describe the pet and the problem the pet causes or could cause. Then explain how you would solve the problem. Be sure to explain why you think your solution is a good one.

Your school has been invaded by ants! Everywhere you look, you can see the little pests: in the lockers, desks, and classrooms. Write a letter to your principal in which you suggest a solution to the pesky problem of ants in your school.

During the past year, three students at your high school have died in automobile accidents. Your community is grieving and wants an end to this senseless loss of life. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper in which you suggest a solution to the problem of teenage traffic fatalities in your community.

Your community has an active Optimist baseball league, but you have noticed more and more parents who misbehave at the games! They yell at their kids, argue with the umpire, and complain to the coach about his decisions. Write a letter to the league chairman in which you suggest a solution to the problem of parents who behave poorly during ball games.

New students who enroll in your school often feel left out because they do not have any friends and it is not easy for them to make new friends. Think of some ways to solve this problem for new students to make them feel better about their new school. Write a letter to the editor of the school newspaper describing ways you could make a new student feel welcome at your school. First, describe the problem of being a new student, and then explain what you would do to help solve the problem. Tell why your solution would work and why it is a good idea.

Imagine that a new student has moved in next door and does not like living in your neighborhood. Write a letter to him or her explaining what places and activities your neighborhood offers for teenagers. You will first need to identify the problem, and then offer your solutions to this student. Include specific details and explanations of what to do and explain why your ideas are ones you think he/she will enjoy.