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Essay 1: The Problem (Two 50 minute sessions) Writing the Essay The Problem Essay should be at least five paragraphs. You should answer these questions in each paragraph: Paragraph 1 - What is the problem? - How serious is the problem in our community? - How widespread is the problem in our state or nation? Example for paragraph 1 The problem is ….. This is a serious problem in our community because …, …, and …. The problem is not just in our neighborhood, but also … Paragraph 2 - Why should the problem be handled by government? - Could anyone else solve it? - Is there a law or policy for dealing with the problem? - If so, does it solve the problem? Example for paragraph 2 This problem should be handled by the (city, state, or national) government because …. No other organization could solve it because … There is no current law for dealing with this problem (or, The current laws dealing with this problem are ineffective because …) Paragraph 3 - What disagreements exist about this problem? Example for paragraph 3 The disagreements on this problem are …, …, …, and …. (Give one additional sentence to explain each disagreement. The disagreements can be between different groups, different ages, different government agencies, etc.) Paragraph 4 - What groups, individuals, or organizations are taking sides about this problem? - Why are they interested? - What positions are they taking? - Advantages? - Disadvantages? - What are they doing to influence the government to adopt their solution? Example for paragraph 4 …, …, …, and … are taking sides on (state the problem). (Provide a sentence or two for each group explaining why they are interested and the positions they are taking.) (Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each suggested position. Provide a sentence or two about how each group is attempting to influence the government.) Paragraph 5 - What level of government or agency is responsible for solving this problem? - What are they doing about the problem? Example for paragraph 5 The … (for example: sanitation department, city, state, etc.) is responsible for solving (state the problem). They are trying …, but that is not effective because … (or, They are not addressing the problem in any meaningful way). |
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