Constructing a Problem-Solution Essay

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Constructing a Problem-Solution Essay
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Subject Horses
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Difference Between a Topic and a Thesis

• Wild horses
• Wild horses and burros in the West
• Wild horses and burros now in the West
• Wild horses now in the West which have been
  rounded up (a protected species)
• Policy of the BLM to round up and confine wild
  horses and burros in the West
• Argument ITS A BAD POLICY!

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Why is this a problem?

• Over thirty thousand wild horses and burros which
  have been rounded up in the West are kept now in
  confined conditions less than 50 of the horses
  typically find homes with private individuals.
  
• Problem Inappropriate treatment of mustangs and
  burros Its inhumane.
• Point of view Humane Society (treatment of
  animals) and its supporters

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Why is this a problem?

• Over thirty thousand wild horses and burros which
  have been rounded up in the West are kept now in
  confined conditions less than 50 of the horses
  typically find homes with private individuals.
  They are costing taxpayers a lot of money.
• Problem Cost to the taxpayers of taking care of
  these mustangs and burros
• Point of view GAO, federal government officials,
  BLM, taxpayers (fiscal)

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Background

• According to the Humane Society Website, the
  policy of the BLM was designed to protect wild
  horses and burros on the range and maintain them
  as symbols of American culture (Parcelle). The
  HSUS claims the policy thus has strayed far from
  its original purpose (Parcelle).
• Source cited here and listed at the end of the
  paper Wayne Parcelle, CEO, Humane Society
  Website.

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First Solution Dinner?
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First Proposed SolutionSlaughter the horses

• Canada still has many slaughterhouses which
  prepare horse meat for consumption by animals and
  humans.
• Advantages Little cost to the taxpayers, maybe
  even financial benefits. It will please some of
  our neighbors who want the product.
• Disadvantages Violates the original purpose of
  the BLM policy (Parcelle). It will anger some
  people greatly and contribute to an economy
  dealing in potentially unsafe foods.

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Second Proposed SolutionMore humane and better
management

• Instead of taking so many horses off the range,
  BLM should institute several measures expand
  fertility control, allow the animals to roam
  public lands, and adopt out more of the horses
  and burros (Parcelle).
• HSUS supports this. Better for the animals and
  less cost to taxpayers.

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Drawbacks?

• Difficult in this economy to adopt out animals
  which are expensive and need so much care
• Slower process of controlling the size of herds
• Still requires funding by federal government
  (private grants help, however)
• Annoys those who see no point to preserving these
  animal anyway
• BUT it is a long-term and humane solution

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Thesis Statement

• Mismanagement of wild horses and burros in the
  West has led to inhumane treatment of the animals
  and high costs for taxpayers. Some have suggested
  that a good solution is to slaughter the animals
  which are now confined in cramped conditions. A
  better solution--for both the horses and for
  taxpayersis better herd management more active
  fertility plans and adoption programs and less
  rounding up of so many horses.

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Works Cited

• Parcelle, Wayne. House Passes Wild Horse
• and Burro Protections. Humane Society of the
  United States. July 17, 2009. September 3, 2009.
  lthttp//hsus.typepad.com/wayne/
• 2009/07/wild-horses.htmlgt

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Question

• What is the problem with using just this one
  source--even if the assignment does not call for
  more sources?

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Structure

• State the problem
• Remember that you want to show how it affects
  others, not just yourself. But you may want to
  develop a local angle in a short essay.
• Explore background, causes, effects, etc. Here
  you are answering questions, like Why? or
• How?
• Examine possible solutions
• Conclude with argument for your solution

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Remember Aristotle?

• Good arguments use these appeals
• Ethical Appeal (authority and credentials, good
  person writing well)
• Logical Appeal (rational, substantive evidence)
• Emotional Appeal (moves the audience)

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Opposing View

• Remember
• Your essay must include consideration of a
  strong argument on the other side.
• You must use a source that favors the opposing
  viewpoint for your argument on the other side.
• You must refute the opposing argument by showing
  problems with evidence, logic, or other issues.
• You can concede some points.

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Find Common Ground

• Locate values we can all agree on and use those
  to establish a relationship with your audience.
  Recognize your opponents good will. Provide a
  foundation to build upon.

• We hold these truths to be self-evident, that
  all men are created equal, that they are endowed
  by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
  that among these are Life, Liberty and the
  pursuit of Happiness.