After you’ve spent time working on refining your problem, you’ll start considering the solution to your problem. In fact, your “solution” may actually be several solutions instead of just one. That’s acceptable, and sometimes, it’s even necessary. Most problems have complex origins and require complex solutions. Be wary of anyone who says that they have a simple solution and don’t offer one yourself. However, one way to justify your solution or present it as the best solution is to argue that it’s the cheapest solution that solves the problem.
What do I mean by “cheapest”? There are two cost factors in most solutions: the monetary costs and the work/change cost. The monetary costs are what your community will have to pay to enact and possibly continue to pay enacting the solution. Is your solution a one-time cost, like building an overpass? Or is it an ongoing cost, like supporting an after-school program? Or is it an initial large cost that requires ongoing funding, like building and maintaining a homeless shelter? Regardless of the type of expense, your paper should justify the costs by explaining how the community will be improved by solving the problem. Show that the costs are lower than not solving the problem. Don’t let “cheapest” deter you from arguing for a high cost solution; sometimes, higher costs can’t be avoided.
Another type of cost is the cost of change. Sometimes this is the work the community will have to do to enact the solution. Other times it may be the change of lifestyle a solution may involve. For example, any type of construction project will have the hassle of disruption. Think of how road improvement projects affect the community’s use of roads. However, this kind of disruption is temporary. A recycling program may ask people to change their habits and that can be a tougher sell. Most people will resist change and doing things differently, especially when the change is not their idea. You might think of this as the PITA costs of your solution (PITA=Pain In The . . .). Too much PITA and your proposal won’t be successful.
A Poor Solution Example:
A student chose to write about drunk driving as the problem. I warned the student about this topic (don’t use it—it’s bad for this paper). This is a poor topic because the problem is caused by people making poor choices. There’s a cliché that says, “You cant’ fix stupid,” that covers this. We’ve known for a long time that drunk driving is bad, and it does carry some severe penalties. I don’t know that we have enough DUI’s to warrant raising the penalties, or to even call this a problem. But we’re talking about a poor solution here.
The student’s solution was to require everyone to install a breathalyzer ignition lock in their cars. While this solution would probably reduce the problem, it comes at far too high of a cost. Do you think everyone would want to pay the costs for those machines and their installation? Think of how absurd we would all feel blowing into the ignition as we go to work in the morning. As we go anywhere at any time. Even those who don’t drink at all would be forced to do this. The devices were created for people who’ve been convicted of DUI. They are a punishment. Innocent people don’t like to be punished; I suppose guilty people don’t like punishment, either, but they have earned it. This student’s solution carried a PITA cost that was far too high. Avoid this.
Another potentially problematic solution is one that relies on magic. What do I mean by “magic”? I don’t mean students suggest a Harry Potter solution. Instead, sometimes students will neglect the actual work of the solution. For example, a student may be writing about drug crimes and write something like, “We’ll stop people from using illegal drugs.” If only it were that easy. The solution needs to explain what measures will be taken to help people free themselves from addiction. When writing a solution, explaining HOW the solution will solve the problem is crucial. Just like in a math class, you need to show your work.
I’ll leave you with some key suggestions for writing the solution section of your paper. The first is that your solution should be argued in multiple paragraphs. Ensure that your solution considers and justifies its costs, both monetary and PITA. Consider how your audience will react to your solution; are you offering a solution that people would support? If your solution’s costs are high, have you argued that the costs are worthwhile? How? Does your problem require several solutions? Have you argued for the costs of each of the solutions? As always, feel free to ask me any questions about your solutions.
