Problem-SolutionYour Proposal and Pitch

Mayo High School, Rochester, MN. World Literature Capstone. Spring 2016.

Use the questions that follow as writing prompts.

Give yourself a minute or two to write your response for each question.

Answer based on all of the reading, research, and thinking that you’ve done up until this point.

What’s your topic?Write:

What’s the problem?

Write:

Why is this a problem?

Write:

Why should we/you/anyone care?

Write:

What do you think might fix this problem?

Write:

What’s another way this problem might be solved?

Write:

Are there any other possible solutions?

Write:

Now we’ll map your responses

to the appropriate section of

the proposal presentation

.

Note places where you had a hard time answering the question based on your topic. Spend some extra time working on those areas.

Also check to make sure you have evidence and sources for the appropriate sections of your writing and presentation.

I. IntroductionA. Hook: B. Description of topic (2-3 sent):C. Explanation (why did you decide this topic?)

II. Body (Thread components for Problem-Solution)A. #1 Why is your problem important?

1. Supporting detail (1 complete sent.)2. Supporting detail (1 complete sent.)

B. #2 Identify multiple solutions1. Supporting detail (1 complete sent.)2. Supporting detail (1 complete sent.)

III. ConclusionA. Summarize (What do you hope to learn or gain?): B. Final Tie Back (Go back to your hook and use it to inspire, challenge,

or recommend):

Problem-SolutionProposal Outline

What’s your topic?Write:

DESCRIPTION OF TOPIC

What’s the problem?

Write:

DESCRIPTION OF TOPIC

Why is this a problem?

Write:

IMPORTANCE

BUT HOW DO YOU KNOW?

evidence (you will probably need a source

here!)

Why should we/you/anyone care?

Write:

IMPORTANCE

BUT HOW DO YOU KNOW?

evidence (you will probably need a source

here!)

What do you think might fix this problem?

Write:

ONE POSSIBLE SOLUTION

BUT HOW DO YOU KNOW?

evidence (you will probably need a source

here!)

What’s another way this problem might be solved?

Write:

MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS

BUT HOW DO YOU KNOW?

evidence (you will probably need a source

here!)

Are there any other possible solutions? If so, what?

Write:

MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS

BUT HOW DO YOU KNOW?

evidence (you will probably need a source

here!)

I. IntroductionA. Hook: B. Description of topic (2-3 sent):C. Explanation (why did you decide this topic?)

II. Body (Thread components for Problem-Solution)A. #1 Why is your problem important?

1. Supporting detail (1 complete sent.)2. Supporting detail (1 complete sent.)

B. #2 Identify multiple solutions1. Supporting detail (1 complete sent.)2. Supporting detail (1 complete sent.)

III. ConclusionA. Summarize (What do you hope to learn or gain?): B. Final Tie Back (Go back to your hook and use it to inspire, challenge,

or recommend):

Problem-SolutionProposal Outline

If you have thorough

responses to each question

and have sources in the

appropriate sections, you’ve completed the

following portions of the

outline...

Hopefully this exercise has helped pinpoint places where you need to do some extra thinking, research, or writing before finalizing your proposal.

I. IntroductionA. Hook: B. Description of topic (2-3 sent):C. Explanation (why did you decide this topic?)

II. Body (Thread components for Problem-Solution)A. #1 Why is your problem important?

1. Supporting detail (1 complete sent.)2. Supporting detail (1 complete sent.)

B. #2 Identify multiple solutions1. Supporting detail (1 complete sent.)2. Supporting detail (1 complete sent.)

III. ConclusionA. Summarize (What do you hope to learn or gain?): B. Final Tie Back (Go back to your hook and use it to inspire, challenge,

or recommend):

Problem-SolutionProposal Outline

QUESTIONS?Don’t forget to refer back to the research guide for more suggestions.