1. 1 Problem/Solution Proposals English 2010 Intermediate Writing

2. 2 Problem/Solution Proposals  There are typically two types of proposals:  Proposals focusing on changing behavior and practice.  Limited in scope with general suggestions for a solution.  Proposals focusing on policies.  Broader in scope and highly formalized with concrete solution(s) and specific prescriptions for action.  Policy proposals are better appreciated by audiences.

3. 3 Problem/Solution Proposals  Characteristics of Proposal Arguments.  A call for action.  The writer works to get their audience to do something.  A focus on the future.  The writer works to demonstrate the proposal will solve or at least mitigate the problem for future generations.  A focus on the audience.  The writer works to convince their audience to take some sort of concrete action to solve the problem.

4. 4 Problem/Solution Proposals  Development of Proposal Arguments.  The writer should establish the seriousness and legitimacy of the problem--1st rhetorical move.  Is there any debate the problem exists?  Provide ample evidence the problem exists and poses serious consequences if left unaddressed.  The writer should offer a strong and clear claim as a feasible solution--2nd rhetorical move.  Why will this solution work?  Time and space permitting, how will the solution be implemented?

5. 5 Problem/Solution Proposals  The Seven Step Problem Solving Cycle:  Step One: Identifying Problems.  “In order to solve a problem, you first have to know what the problem really is, in the same way that you can’t untie a knot until you’ve found the knot.”—Aristotle.  What is a problem anyway?  Externally caused problems : A problem that occurs when something fails or goes wrong and is the source of the negative sense of the word and therefore have discoverable causes.  Deliberately chosen problems : A problem generated by the solver which consists of a challenge, or goal established in order to invent, improve or remedy something.

6. 6 Problem/Solution Proposals  The Seven Step Problem Solving Cycle:  Step One: Identifying Problems.  The inclusive definition of the term problem :  A problem is a situation someone wants to change.  It is crucial for you to identify a situation (topic) as a problem as clearly as possible for your audience.  Three critical questions you must answer:  What is the problem?  Why is this a problem?  What would you like to have instead?

7. 7 Problem/Solution Proposals  The Seven Step Problem Solving Cycle:  Step One: Identifying Problems.  Subproblem(s) : Smaller problem(s) that is/are part of the larger one.  You should always try to break the main problem down into subproblems in order to more effectively solve it.

8. 8 Problem/Solution Proposals  The Seven Step Problem Solving Cycle:  Step One: Identifying Problems.  The importance of goal setting:  Knowing what you have and then differentiating that from what you want is essential for knowing exactly what and how severe the problem is.  Not establishing a goal state can leave the problem ill- defined.

9. 9 Problem/Solution Proposals  The Seven Step Problem Solving Cycle:  Step One: Identifying Problems.  Inhibitors to effective problem solving:  Hot-potato problem solving : A strategy used to pass the problem on to others either by disclaiming responsibility or by engaging in blame transfer.  Premature closure : The desire to get rid of a problem as quickly as possible which typically results in adopting the first course of action one comes across which actually turns out to be costly and ineffective.  Denial : Claiming that a problem does not exist at all or that what obviously appears to be the problem really is not one thing but some other thing.  Solving the wrong problem : Treating the symptom of a problem rather than the problem itself, or falsely identifying the problem

10. 10 Problem/Solution Proposals  The Seven Step Problem Solving Cycle:  Step One: Identifying Problems.  Causation : Identifying a problem to be addressed by scrutinizing causation (cause and effect relationships).  What is a cause?  A cause is an event, circumstance, or condition involved in producing an effect.

11. 11 Problem/Solution Proposals  The Seven Step Problem Solving Cycle:  Step One: Identifying Problems.  Kinds of causes:  Sufficient cause : An agent that by itself can produce a given effect.  Necessary cause : An agent that must be present for an effect to occur, but which by itself cannot produce the effect.  Contributory cause : An agent that helps to bring about a given effect but which by itself is neither sufficient nor necessary.  Proximate cause : An agent or event occurring immediately before the effect which may actually be the effect of a previous cause.

12. 12 Problem/Solution Proposals  The Seven Step Problem Solving Cycle:  Step One: Identifying Problems.  Avoid fallacies of causation:  Post hoc, ergo propter hoc : “After this; therefore, because of this” or mistaking a time sequence for a cause and effect relationship.  Cum hoc, ergo propter hoc : “With this; therefore, because of this” or mistaking a correlation between two things with a cause and effect relationship.  Causal reduction : When a single agent is named as the cause of an effect that actually is the result of several causes.

13. 13 Problem/Solution Proposals  The Seven Step Problem Solving Cycle:  Step One: Identifying Problems.  Chain of Causation:  Many problem are merely the end product of a chain of causes and effects.  Always lay out the chain of causation to better reveal solutions or areas that should be addressed in order to remedy the problem permanently.  Multiple causation : Problems that turn out to be the result of many causes.  Develop diagrams to help you better understand chains of causes and multiple causes first.