Free Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer

Start by naming the text, story, article, or writing topic. Then write the main problem in one complete sentence. A useful problem statement names who or what is affected and what is getting in the way. ‘The character has a problem’ is too vague; ‘Maya misses the bus and has no other ride to school’ gives you something specific to trace through the rest of the organizer.

Before writing the solution, collect the important evidence in the middle of the page. In fiction, this can include attempts the character makes, obstacles that make the problem harder, or information that changes the character’s plan. In nonfiction, record the conditions that created the problem and the responses described by the author. This prevents the organizer from becoming a two-answer worksheet that skips the reasoning between the beginning and the end.

Write the solution only after you can explain how it addresses the original problem. Ask two questions: What changed? And why does that change solve, reduce, or respond to the problem? If the text has several attempted solutions, note them separately and mark the one that actually works. If the ending does not fully solve the problem, say that clearly instead of forcing a neat answer the text does not support.

For writing practice, reverse the process. Plan the problem first, brainstorm plausible responses, then choose a solution that grows out of what the character or writer already has available. A solution that appears suddenly without setup often makes a story feel weak. The organizer is useful here because the middle evidence boxes can become failed attempts, discoveries, or turning points that make the final solution feel earned.

When reviewing the finished page, draw a quick line from the solution back to the problem statement and read both aloud. They should answer each other directly. If they do not, either the problem was stated too broadly or the solution describes an unrelated event. For younger learners, allow short phrases or drawings in the middle boxes. For older students, add a page, paragraph, or other source locator beside important evidence when the task benefits from text verification or formal citation.

If the source contains several smaller problems, use the organizer to rank them before choosing the central one. Ask which problem drives the most important events or which problem the author spends the most time explaining. Keeping one clear focus on each sheet makes later comparison easier: a second copy can track a secondary problem, and the two completed pages can then be compared without crowding the original organizer.