Problem-Solving Essay Defined - Lesson 1 - Cutout Planning and Writing Frame

Sep 22, 2026

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Guided lesson materials teach students how to plan and write a problem-solving essay using a five-paragraph structure. Learners examine how to restate a question into a thesis, then organize the essay into Bing (define the problem), Bang (suggest solutions), and Bongo (evaluate solutions), followed by an expanded summary. Example content uses long lunch lines to demonstrate definitions, proposed fixes, evaluation criteria, and how Level 2 expands attention-getting introductions, richer details, and future-oriented challenges.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

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Pages11

Reading Time4 min

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Problem-Solving Essay Defined

Lesson 1

Materials

Procedure

Lesson 3—Level 1

Materials

Procedure

PROBLEM SOLVING # Problem-Solving Essay Defined This type of essay uses the problem-solving process to show theauthor's interpretation of a problem,possible solutions to this prob-lem,and an evaluation of various solutions. Students will focus on a question,such as:"Are long lunch lines aproblem at our school,and,if so,how could the problem be solved?”Then students restate the question into a thesis statement or reducethe essay's basic idea to a one-topic statement.Next,studentsdevelop the five-paragraph essay;it includes an introductory para-graph,a definition of the problem,solutions to the problem,anevaluation of the solutions to pick the best one,and one summaryparagraph. 66 The introductory paragraph is represented by the "Bunch ofBananas.”The first body paragraph (Bing)focuses on thedefinition of the problem.The second body paragraph (Bang)lists possible solutions to the problem.(You may wish youngor less skilled students to write about only one solution.)Finally,the third body paragraph(Bongo)evaluates the pro-posed solution or solutions to the problem stated in the firstbody paragraph (Bing). interpretations ...solutions..evaluation ... 99 The fith paragraph in the problem-solving essay is the summaryparagraph in which the three main concepts are restated:definition ofthe problem,listing of solutions to the problem,and evaluation ofthose solutions. On Level2,theproblem-solvingessay differs in three ways from Level 1.First,the introduction begins with a statement orquestion designedto quickly get the reader's attention before stating the topic and themain ideas.Second,the Bing,Bang,and Bongo paragraphs areexpanded with more specific detail.Finally,the summary is expandedto include two things besides a restating the main ideas:relating theessay's conclusions to today or the future plus issuing a challenge tothe reader. # Lesson 1 ## Materials: ·Master 2:1,Level 1 CUTOUTS,one for each student ·Scissors · Glue ·Crayons or colored pencils,five different colors for each student ·12"x18"colored construction paper,one for each student ## Procedure: 1.Explain that today students will learn about planning and writing aproblem-solving essay.In this type of essay they will identify aproblem,define the problem,list a solution,and evaluate thesolution,telling why this solution will work.To help them under-stand the format for writing aproblem-solution essay,tell studentsthey willmake a cutout picture of the five parts. 2.Using the cutouts,demonstrate step by step foryour students thecutting and pasting of the 11 pieces(which represent the fiveparts)of the essay. a.Cut the bunch of bananas and glue at the top of the 12"×18"construction paper.Place the construction paper so that thegreatest length runs from top to bottom.Write the words"Introduction"and “Bunch of Bananas.” b.Next cut and paste the three monkeys,which represent Bing,Bang,and Bongo,running down the left side below theintroduction.Write the names of the monkeys (Bing,Bang,Bongo)below each of their pictures.Next to each monkey'sface Write the words that represent what that paragraph will beabout: On the right side of page 2:9,see the diagram of how to place the 11 parts of Master 2:7,Level 2 ·Bing:Write the phrase Define ortellwhat the problemis. Cutouts. ·Bang:Write the phrase Solution or tell how to solve theproblem. ·Bongo:Write the words Evaluate or tell what I thinkabout the solution.Also,you will want to write the word"Body"in the middle of the right side of the constructionpaper. c.Finally,write the barrel of monkeys at the bottom of the paper.Write the words "Summary”and “Barrel of Monkeys." “Long lunch lines can cause student problems.I willtellyou about the problem,a solution to the problem,and why I think this solution will solve the problem.” 5.Explain how each part of the body outline is filled out by listingspecific details under Bing,Bang,and Bongo that support eachgeneral idea:definition,solu

FAQs

What is the five-paragraph structure of a problem-solving essay?

It includes an introductory paragraph, a definition of the problem, solutions to the problem, an evaluation of those solutions to choose the best one, and a final summary paragraph.

How do students turn a question into the essay’s core idea?

Students focus on a question, then restate it into a thesis statement or reduce it to a one-topic statement before expanding the five paragraphs.

What do the Bing, Bang, and Bongo parts represent?

Bing defines the problem, Bang lists possible solutions, and Bongo evaluates the proposed solution(s) to determine why they will work.

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by Fahsai