1. CLASS 34 EWRT 1A

2. Agenda
Review: Essay #4
Basic Features
Discussion: Kornbluh
In-Class Writing: Finding a problem to
write about: Community

3. Essay #4
Essay #4: Proposing a Solution : Essay (1000-1500 words)
150 points
Assignment: Write an essay from 4-6pages in length, that
addresses the topic below. Use a minimum of two credible
sources to support your argument.
Prompt : Write an essay proposing a solution to a well-defined
problem faced by a community or group to which you may
belong. Alternatively, you may address a well-defined problem
faced by one of the districts or communities in The Hunger
Games. Address your proposal to your audience: one or more
members of the group, its leadership, or to outsiders who may
be able to contribute to solving the problem.

4. BASIC FEATURES
A Well-Defined Problem
A Clearly Described Solution
A Convincing Argument
An Effective Counterargument
An Evaluation of Alternative Solutions

5. Consider Kornbluh’s “Win
Win Flexibility”
What is the problem? Which of these strategies does
Kornbluh use to define her problem?
 • giving examples to make the problem specific
 • using scenarios or anecdotes to dramatize the
problem
 • quoting testimony from those affected by the
problem
 • citing statistics to show the severity of the problem
 • vividly describing the problem’s negative
consequences

6. What is Kornbluh’s
Solution?
Which does she use to demonstrate her solution?
 the proposed solution would reduce or eliminate a
major cause of the problem;
 a similar solution has worked elsewhere;
 the necessary steps to put the solution into practice can
be taken without excessive cost or inconvenience; or
 stakeholders could come together behind the proposal.

7. How Does Kornbluh
Address Questions and
Concerns?
 by acknowledging an objection
 by conceding the point and modifying the proposal
to accommodate it
 by refuting criticism—for example, by arguing that
an alternative solution would be more costly or
less likely to solve the problem than the proposed
solution.

8. Alternative Solutions
 How does Kornbluh present her
solution as preferable to other
possible solutions?

9. A Readable Plan
 Which of the following does Kornbluh include to make her essay
easy to read:
 a forecast of the argument
 key words introduced in the thesis and forecasting statement
 topic sentences introducing paragraphs or groups of paragraphs
 repeated use of key words and synonyms throughout the essay,
particularly in topic sentences
 clear transitional words and phrases
 headings that explicitly identify different sections of the essay
 visuals, including charts that present information in an easy-to-
read format

10. Choosing a Topic
for your Essay!
My Community,
Club, or Group

11. Your Chart
Groups and organizations Problems
The Hunger Games Not Enough Food
De Anza College Parking
Your Neighborhood Drug Dealers?
Your Club Martial Arts Group?
Community No place for kids to play?

12. Solution
Problem
No safe place for kids to 1. Start a volunteer parents
play group to offer after school
activities at local schools.

13. Homework
Writing: Post #38 Identify a problem
faced by people in a group or
community you belong to. How
would you solve the problem? Write
one paragraph outlining the problem.
Write another explaining a solution.