THE SPSE ESSAY Week 2, Academic English II, Even Semester 2013-
2014
Slide 2
What does SPSE stand for? Situation Problem Solution
Evaluation
Slide 3
Workshop 1 In pairs, come up with your own definition of the
SPSE essay by making use of the key terms on the previous
slide.
Slide 4
The SPSE Essay defined The SPSE essay discusses a situation and
a problem then offers or proposes a solution (solutions) and an
evaluation of this solution. -Macmillan Publishers, 2008
Slide 5
How does SPSE fit into the general essay structure?
Introduction describes and contextualizes the situation and the
problem may define concepts or technical terms (jargons) starts
from general to specific statements may also include what is not
raised in the essay includes the thesis statement
Slide 6
Writing the thesis statement for the SPSE essay To write an
effective thesis statement ask yourself the following questions:
What is your writing purpose?What problem will be discussed? In
what context or milieu are you writing? How will it be
organized?
Slide 7
Workshop 2 Analyze the sample thesis statement below based on
the questions from the previous slide. Of all the possible
problems, this essay focuses on language issues, in particular
meeting the educational needs in the UK of workers whose first
language is not English. Two solutions are then offered and
assessed from financial, practical and social perspectives. -
Macmillan Publishers, 2008
Slide 8
How does SPSE fit into the general essay structure? Body takes
up about 80% of the essay describes the problem in much more
detail; e.g., causes and effects of the problem offers a detailed
solution/describes a response offers alternative
solutions/responses
Slide 9
How does SPSE fit into the general essay structure? Conclusion
confirms the writers stance (which is the best solution or response
to the problem?) includes a final statement
Slide 10
Workshop 3 Read the sample essay handed out by your lecturer
and answer the following questions: 1. In which paragraphs are the
situation and problem described? 2. In which paragraphs are the
possible solutions set out? 3. In which paragraphs is the
evaluation found? 4. How is the essay concluded? 5. Pick out the
key noun defined in the introduction?
Slide 11
Workshop 4 Think of a possible topic for an SPSE essay then
prepare an outline for it.
Bibliography Macmillan Publishers. (2008). Sample (SPSE) essay.
Retrieved from
http://demo.mec-3.com/work/20090505_MCM_publish_puptransfer/itp-
mse-006274-xxx-v005.pdf
http://demo.mec-3.com/work/20090505_MCM_publish_puptransfer/itp-
mse-006274-xxx-v005.pdf Birmingham City University Centre for
Academic Success. (2011). Academic Guides: writing. Retrieved from
http://library.bcu.ac.uk/learner/writingguides/1.16.htm
http://library.bcu.ac.uk/learner/writingguides/1.16.htm
