272 Unit 2 • The Articles did not include a central executive The Articles did not include a because the states didn’t want to give up power to central authority. • Congress had to manage everything. • Nine states had to vote for any action to take place. • Foreign governments saw the new nation as weak and ignored its demands. • Americans also defied the national government (Shays’ Rebellion). • It was difficult for Congress to act quickly or make changes in policy. Sample notes about a problem arising from the Articles of Confederation Problem-Solution Essay Introduction In a problem-solution essay, you analyze a problem and propose a method for solving it. The problem you choose to analyze should be one that offers some challenges but is still possible to resolve. A problem-solution essay should have the following characteristics: • a problem that needs to be solved • a thesis statement that identifies the problem and points toward the solution • identification of several possible solutions • specific facts, details, examples, and reasons indicating why one solution is best • an analytical tone Assignment On the following pages, you will learn how to write a problem￾solution essay. You will get step-by-step instructions. Each step will include an example from a sample essay discussing the Articles of Confederation. Read the instructions and the examples. Then, follow each step to plan and write a 500–700 word essay. Prewriting Define the problem to be solved. In order to write a problem-solution essay, you need to start with a clear vision of the problem itself. Once you have broken your problem down and looked at it from different angles, sit back and look at the big picture. Think about your ultimate goal in solving the problem. For a review of the steps in the writing process see the Historian’s Toolkit, Write Like a Historian. Analyze a problem faced by the writers of the Constitution and discuss the solution that the Constitutional Convention chose. Sample goal: The problems with the Articles needed to be solved so that the new nation could survive and adapt to change. mgah_sena_u2_WW_s.fm Page 272 Wednesday, May 2, 2007 2:03 PM Writing Workshop 273 Brainstorm to identify several solutions. Look for as many solutions as you can, even if they solve only part of the problem. List each solution and evaluate it. One good technique is to ask questions. Create a chart like this one to help you evaluate your various solutions. Write a thesis statement. Write a thesis statement briefly identifying the problem. Your thesis statement may also indicate possible solutions, but you may also save that information for later in your essay. Gather supporting information. Look for facts, details, and reasons to support your solutions to the problem. Drafting Decide how to organize your writing. The simplest way to organize a problem-solution essay is to begin by identifying the problem in the first paragraph, leading up to your thesis statement. Present the solution that you think works best, explaining why it is the most promising one. Support your thesis with examples and details. Use your lists of supporting information to back up your ideas about the best solution to the problem. Use an analytical tone. As you write your draft, remember that you are appealing to people’s ability to reason, not to their emotions. Describe the problem and the various possible solutions objectively. Write a strong conclusion. In your final paragraph, restate your ideas about the problem and its solution. Sample thesis statement: The Articles of Confederation left the new nation too weak because they allowed for no central authority besides Congress. The Articles needed to be changed in some way —or something new had to replace them. Problem The Articles of Confederation left the nation weak because there was no central authority. Possible Solution Leave the Articles as is, persuade other countries and Americans to respect the new nation Leave the basic

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