Solving a Problem in Your Community

his week, you will begin working on a research-based problem-solution essay to help solve a problem in your community. For the list of possible topics and all of the assignment requirements, please see the project description in the Course Introduction and Resources Module.

For your initial post, please answer these questions.

1. What is the problem? What proof do you have that it exists? Is it getting worse?
2. Why should your audience care? How does the problem affect them?
3. What is your tentative claim or thesis? Example: "We need to change/fix/improve/...."
4. How would you solve the problem? What are a few possible solutions?
5. Which solution do you think is likely to be the best? (It is ok if your answer is tentative.)
6. What is your call to action? What do you want people to do?

Then, based on your answers to these questions, create a simple outline following this template.

1. Introduction and explanation of the problem
2. Identify the problem
   1. Background and history of the problem
   2. Claim/thesis
   3. Solutions
      1. Solution one: pros and cons
      2. Solution two: pros and cons
      3. Solution three: pros and cons (as needed)
3. Conclusion
   1. Final recommendation
   2. Call to action