Constructing a Problem-Constructing a Problem-Solution EssaySolution Essay

Subject: HorsesSubject: Horses

Difference Between a Topic and a Difference Between a Topic and a ThesisThesis

Wild horsesWild horses Wild horses and burros in the WestWild horses and burros in the West Wild horses and burros now in the WestWild horses and burros now in the West Wild horses now in the West which have been Wild horses now in the West which have been

rounded up (a protected species)rounded up (a protected species) Policy of the BLM to round up and confine Policy of the BLM to round up and confine

wild horses and burros in the Westwild horses and burros in the West Argument: IT’S A BAD POLICY!Argument: IT’S A BAD POLICY!

Why is this a problem?Why is this a problem?

Over thirty thousand wild horses and burros Over thirty thousand wild horses and burros which have been rounded up in the West are which have been rounded up in the West are kept now in confined conditions; less than kept now in confined conditions; less than 50% of the horses typically find homes with 50% of the horses typically find homes with private individuals. private individuals.

Problem: Inappropriate treatment of mustangs Problem: Inappropriate treatment of mustangs and burros: “It’s inhumane.”and burros: “It’s inhumane.”

Point of view: Humane Society (treatment of Point of view: Humane Society (treatment of animals) and its supporters animals) and its supporters

Why is this a problem?Why is this a problem? Over thirty thousand wild horses and burros which Over thirty thousand wild horses and burros which

have been rounded up in the West are kept now in have been rounded up in the West are kept now in confined conditions; less than 50% of the horses confined conditions; less than 50% of the horses typically find homes with private individuals. typically find homes with private individuals. They are costing taxpayers a lot of money. They are costing taxpayers a lot of money.

Problem: Cost to the taxpayers of taking care of Problem: Cost to the taxpayers of taking care of these mustangs and burrosthese mustangs and burros

Point of view: GAO, federal government officials, Point of view: GAO, federal government officials, BLM, taxpayers (fiscal)BLM, taxpayers (fiscal)

BackgroundBackground

According to the Humane Society Website, the According to the Humane Society Website, the policy of the BLM was designed “to protect wild policy of the BLM was designed “to protect wild horses and burros on the range and maintain horses and burros on the range and maintain them as symbols of American culture” them as symbols of American culture” (Parcelle). The HSUS claims the policy thus “has (Parcelle). The HSUS claims the policy thus “has strayed far from its original purpose” (Parcelle). strayed far from its original purpose” (Parcelle).

Source cited here and listed at the end of the Source cited here and listed at the end of the paper: Wayne Parcelle, CEO, Humane Society paper: Wayne Parcelle, CEO, Humane Society Website.Website.

First Solution: Dinner?First Solution: Dinner?

First Proposed Solution:First Proposed Solution:Slaughter the horsesSlaughter the horses

Canada still has many slaughterhouses which Canada still has many slaughterhouses which prepare horse meat for consumption by animals and prepare horse meat for consumption by animals and humans.humans.

Advantages: Little cost to the taxpayers, maybe Advantages: Little cost to the taxpayers, maybe even financial benefits. It will please some of our even financial benefits. It will please some of our neighbors who want the product. neighbors who want the product.

Disadvantages: Violates the “original purpose” of Disadvantages: Violates the “original purpose” of the BLM policy (Parcelle). It will anger some the BLM policy (Parcelle). It will anger some people greatly and contribute to an economy dealing people greatly and contribute to an economy dealing in potentially unsafe foods. in potentially unsafe foods.

Second Proposed Solution:Second Proposed Solution:More humane and More humane and better managementbetter management

Instead of taking so many horses off the range, Instead of taking so many horses off the range, BLM should institute several measures: BLM should institute several measures: “expand fertility control,” allow the animals to “expand fertility control,” allow the animals to roam public lands, and adopt out more of the roam public lands, and adopt out more of the horses and burros (Parcelle).horses and burros (Parcelle).

HSUS supports this. Better for the animals and HSUS supports this. Better for the animals and less cost to taxpayers. less cost to taxpayers.

Drawbacks?Drawbacks?

Difficult in this economy to adopt out animals Difficult in this economy to adopt out animals which are expensive and need so much carewhich are expensive and need so much care

Slower process of controlling the size of herdsSlower process of controlling the size of herds Still requires funding by federal government Still requires funding by federal government

(private grants help, however)(private grants help, however) Annoys those who see no point to preserving Annoys those who see no point to preserving

these animal anywaythese animal anyway BUT it is a long-term and humane solutionBUT it is a long-term and humane solution

Thesis StatementThesis Statement Mismanagement of wild horses and burros in Mismanagement of wild horses and burros in

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

Works CitedWorks Cited

Parcelle, Wayne. “House Passes Wild HorseParcelle, Wayne. “House Passes Wild Horse

and Burro Protections.” and Burro Protections.” Humane Society Humane Society ofof the United States.the United States. July 17, 2009. July 17, 2009. SeptemberSeptember 3, 2009. <http://3, 2009. <http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/

2009/07/wild-horses.html>2009/07/wild-horses.html>

Question

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

StructureStructure

State the problemState the problemRemember that you want to show how it Remember that you want to show how it affects others, not just yourself. But you may affects others, not just yourself. But you may want to develop a local angle in a short essay. want to develop a local angle in a short essay.

Explore background, causes, effects, etcExplore background, causes, effects, etc. Here . Here you are answering questions, like “Why?” or you are answering questions, like “Why?” or ““How?”How?”

Examine possible solutions Examine possible solutions Conclude with argument for your solutionConclude with argument for your solution

Remember Aristotle?Remember Aristotle?

Good arguments use these appeals:Good arguments use these appeals:

Ethical Appeal (authority and credentials, good Ethical Appeal (authority and credentials, good person writing well)person writing well)

Logical Appeal (rational, substantive evidence)Logical Appeal (rational, substantive evidence)

Emotional Appeal (moves the audience)Emotional Appeal (moves the audience)

Opposing ViewOpposing ViewRemember Remember Your essay must include consideration of a Your essay must include consideration of a

strong argument on the other side.strong argument on the other side. You must use a source that favors the opposing You must use a source that favors the opposing

viewpoint for your argument on the other side.viewpoint for your argument on the other side. You must refute the opposing argument by You must refute the opposing argument by

showing problems with evidence, logic, or showing problems with evidence, logic, or other issues. other issues.

You can concede some points. You can concede some points.

Find Common GroundFind Common Ground

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

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