Reading a Problem-Solution Paragraph and Essay
Now that you've warmed up your thinking about problems and solutions, you can read a sample paragraph and essay. Note how each writer explains a problem and argues for a specific solution.
Reading a Problem-Solution Paragraph
A problem-solution paragraph has three main parts. The topic sentence introduces the solution to a problem. The body sentences explain the problem and solution. The ending sentence calls readers to action.
Listen to "Helping New Students Fit In"
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Sample Paragraph
Helping New Students Fit In
Topic SentenceComing to a new school is hard, so we should figure out how to make new students feel welcome. New students have to fit in with new classmates in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar rules. Body SentencesThis problem can make them feel lonely. Instead of just expecting new students to make all the effort, we can help them fit in. One of us can volunteer to show the new student around and sit with him or her at lunch. The rest of us can introduce ourselves, learn the new student’s name, and share something about our school or ourselves. Ending Sentence Together, let’s make our school a friendlier place to be.