D
Problem/Solution Paper Due—12/2/22 by 11 pm XXXXXXXXXXENG 111
On December 2, your final major paper will be due at 11 pm. It must contain at least 1250
words, be word processed and double-spaced. Grammar, spelling, and overall neatness will
certainly affect your final grade on the paper, so be sure to write carefully and allow yourself
time to proofread and co
ect your paper before turning it in to me.
Your topic will be a specific problem of your choosing (which I must approve beforehand),
and in the course of the paper, you will introduce the problem, define the problem, explain
why it is a problem, and then offer one and only one practical solution to the problem and
how you would implement that specific solution. So don’t choose a problem that can’t be
solved and don’t choose a problem that has already been solved.
The problem should not be a personal problem although it may affect you as an individual.
It should be a systemic problem that affects many people, but you will focus on a particular
group of people affected by the problem, for example, workers at a specific business,
students at a school, neighbors in a community, members of a church, mosque, or
synagogue.
You will have to do li
ary research for this paper and document your research according
to the Modern Language Association system. You must find and use a minimum of 4
esearch sources for this paper. All of your sources must be as recent as possible, ideally
within the last 2 years although any books may be older than 2 years simply because they
take significant time to publish.
Assume that your audience is made up of readers who are intelligent and curious adults who do
not know much about your particular subject matter. Your job is to explain to them everything
they need to know in order to understand why your solution to the problem is the best one and
exactly how that solution will work.
Include at least 10 but no more than 20 citations (direct quotations, paraphrases, or
summaries), and no direct quotation may be over 3 consecutive lines long.
Topics to consider:
Some aspect of NOVA's administrative or educational system that is inefficient or
unfair.
Some aspect of your workplace that is inefficient or unfair.
Some aspect of a local organization--PTA, Neighborhood Watch, sports team, etc.--
that is inefficient or unfair.
Topics NOT allowed for
this assignment:
If you write your paper on any of the prohibited topics,
you will earn zero points. Think of something else.
Bullying (cyber or otherwise)
Teen pregnancy
Obesity (childhood or other)
Abortion
Gun Rights/Gun Violence
Climate Change
Schedule of Assignments for the Problem Paper--
11/11—Choose Topic—problem & solution. Select ONE very specific (na
owed
down) problem and provide only ONE solution for it.
11/18—Annotated Bibliography due by 11 pm. You will include your four sources in a
Works Cited list along with a paragraph describing the source and answering three specific
questions about it. The Annotated Bibliography will be graded and can earn a maximum of
10 points.
11/20, 11/21, 11/22, 11/23—Meetings with me to discuss your progress on the paper.
12/2--Problem/Solution Paper due at 11 pm. You will turn in your formal outline, the
completed paper, and your works cited page.
Questions for the Problem part of the paper:
What exactly is wrong? (Be specific)
Why is it a problem?
Who suffers from the problem?
How long has the problem been going on?
Does the problem lead to a loss of money?
Does the problem lead to inconvenience?
Does the problem lead to loss of productivity?
Does the problem lead to danger?
Doe the problem lead to injustice?
Does the problem lead to other negative consequences?
What future bad effects might result if the problem is left unsolved?
Questions for the Solution part of the paper:
What equipment is necessary? Where will it come from? Who will pay for it?
What staffing is necessary? Where will they come from? Who will pay them?
What training is necessary for the solution? When/where will the training take place?
Who will be trained? How much will it cost?
Are there any other financial costs for the solution?
How long will the solution take?
Who will be responsible for what actions in the solution?
Where will the solution take place?
When will the solution take place?
In 1-yea
5 years/10 years, how will you know if the solution worked?