A problem-solution essay is an argumentative essay where an individual presents a problem and argues for a solution. With 20 easy and interesting topic ideas, Penlighten wants to play a small role in helping you find an essay topic that tickles your fancy.
“I am not more gifted than anybody else. I am just more curious than the average person and I will not give up a problem until I have found the proper solution.”
― Albert Einstein
Writing an essay, regardless of the topic, is tough and requires an individual to scour through the Internet, library, and other academic database to get reliable information. Researching a topic, any topic, is mandatory because without the facts and evidence, your essay will be weak.
Now when you have to write a problem-solution essay, the process can be slightly different. Even though the structure of a problem-solution essay is quite clear by its name, when it comes down to researching, constructing, and finally writing the essay, there can be some confusion. So, before you get down to finalizing a topic that interests you, here are some guidelines you need to keep in mind.
Problem-solution Essay Format
As you go through the different topics, this format will come in handy while you brainstorm the ideas and structure of the essay.
Basically, your task is to …
- describe, in detail, what the problem is.
- provide more than one possible solutions.
- pick one of the more practical and feasible solutions.
- explain why this solution will work.
Examples of Problem and Solution Essay Topics
More and more teens are dropping out of school.
◆ Providing one-to-one mentoring that builds a support network for the teen.
◆ Informing family members to actively engage in the situation for a direct and positive effect.
◆ Focusing on alternative schooling programs that cater to the teen’s academic requirements.
How can we encourage people to take public transportation in order to reduce air and noise pollution?
◆ Increasing number of buses/trains every hour to advocate efficiency.
◆ Using public transportation means saving money on gas and parking.
◆ Providing a discount ticket deal with offers on daily and annual tickets.
How should parents handle their child’s social media usage?
◆ Educating their kids about the risks involved and understanding Internet safety.
◆ Having an open conversation about the issue and trusting that they will make the right decisions.
◆ Installing a tracking app to monitor the child’s Internet usage.
How can society promote marriage while allowing individuals the freedom to choose their sexual orientation?
◆ Accepting that marriage is between two people in love; letting them choose a life partner for and by themselves.
◆ Providing support for the constitution of marriage without shaming an individual’s personal choices.
◆ Helping to eliminate hatred among people who cannot or will not perceive ideas beyond their understanding.
How can a country deal with the issue of illegal immigration?
◆ Deciding between enforcing a harsher policy of deportation or providing asylum for illegal aliens already living in the country.
◆ Making them pay taxes to reduce economic burden off tax paying citizens.
◆ Restricting organizations to hire illegal immigrants in order to reduce their own expenses.
Increasing number of homeless people.
◆ Putting in measures where people can earn an income and provide support for themselves and their family members.
◆ Providing emergency shelters and programs for people who need to get by in a time of crisis.
◆ Developing a range of housing options for homeless people.
Can we prevent prejudice and racism from spreading?
◆ Speak up if you see other people passing racial comments at you or someone else; don’t take the abuse.
◆ Host an anti-racism meeting in your community where people of different races can come and meet everyone and understand each other’s cultures.
◆ Discuss the issue with your family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues, and ask them to do the same; spread the message.
The threat posed due to the change in climate is much more real today.
◆ Enforcing laws that make businesses and the general mass to pursue fuel alternatives like green technology.
◆ The government should push a variety of trade policies in order to address the issue.
◆ Along with the U.S., countries with higher population need to work together, rather than partake in the blame game.
Losing weight and keeping it off forever.
◆ Stop preaching others and get right down to it yourself.
◆ Finding a support system or group that understands and guides you to your goal.
◆ Making some lifestyle changes; what you eat, where you eat, people you eat with, etc.
Is it possible to prevent drinking and driving?
◆ Publishing an article with pictures of drunk drivers; public humiliation can be quite persuasive.
◆ Enforcing stricter laws to punish offenders.
◆ Placing sobriety checkpoints throughout the year; and not just during the holidays.
Dearth educational programs for gifted and talented students.
◆ Organizing classes, groups, and programs by teaming up with administrators and teachers who can make a change.
◆ Raising awareness in schools, colleges, and communities about the advantages of providing proper opportunities to these students.
◆ Pushing the ‘new’ study approach with not just the gifted and talented students, but with everyone who can benefit from the program.
Existence of domestic abuse―physical, sexual, emotional―against men and women.
◆ Getting yourself and your community involved in educating everyone about its impact and how to intervene safely.
◆ If you see or hear anything, call 911 immediately.
◆ Along with the national Domestic Violence shelter helpline and/or the local police, have an intervention plan in motion.
How can parents prevent teen drug abuse?
◆ Discussing the values of your family, explaining them about your opinions on drugs, and letting them know your boundaries regarding the same.
◆ Getting involved in the child’s life, providing support in academics and extracurricular activities, and showing support in his/her hobbies.
◆ Helping your child understand the reason and necessity to choose a positive social group.
Playing video games and violence can be interconnected.
◆ Organizing a support group for parents whose kids play video games and possess aggressive and angry feelings.
◆ Educating kids about the positives of playing video games; channeling their interests to become a professional gamer, improved cognitive skills, etc.
◆ Offering programs to develop their skills in such a way that it can be put to their advantages for the future.
Couples, married or dating, failing to sustain their relationships.
◆ Partaking in objective listening.
◆ Watching romantic movies together in order to save their relationship.
◆ Letting go of the relationship and finding someone else to love.
The involvement of money in politics and how it can change the face of our country.
◆ Government needs to step in and regular the amount of money a candidate spends on his/her campaign.
◆ The constitution should be improved in order to address the issue.
◆ A law should be passed which clearly defines the amount of money donated to the candidates.
Roommate drama? How to deal with a difficult roommate.
◆ Find someone else to live with. Move out yourself or throw your roommate out.
◆ Be honest about the issues you’re facing and finding a common ground.
◆ Have your roommate sign an agreement like Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter do in The Big Bang Theory.
Why should universities and NCAA make millions of dollars each year when the athletes get nothing?
◆ Including the athletes, the general student body should host a series of rallies and events in order to get the administration’s attention.
◆ More concentration should be given to academics than athletics.
◆ Instead of monetary compensation for the games, yearly tuition should be waived off.
The NSA spying scandal – Should Americans be worried?
◆ Enforcement of stricter laws that protect privacy rights of every American citizen against government surveillance.
◆ Divulging information to the public so that everyone knows what the intelligence community is up to.
◆ A more proactive approach from the government is required to monitor the intelligence community instead of harassing the general mass.
Preventing the issue of sexual assault on college campuses.
◆ Creating policies where the school should provide heightened security in and around campuses or initiate the buddy system.
◆ Encouraging female students to participate in self-defense classes.
◆ Raising awareness around the campus, sharing resources, and providing counseling for survivors.
While writing the essay, remember to back your argument for the solution with strong evidence. Trust your instincts and research, draw strength from your own experiences and observations, and justify the solution in a manner you think will be appropriate and satisfactory for the audience.