Connect Across the Curriculum

Literary Analysis: Analyze Text Structure: Problem and Solution
Academic Vocabulary

  • • solve (solv) verb When you solve a problem, you find the answer to it.

How Are Ideas Organized? Nonfiction writing includes facts and ideas. Often an author begins with a problem. Then the writer usually gives facts and ideas that show how the problem is solved. This is called the solution.

The first fish to wear Crittercam was a captive nurse shark. Greg watched the shark swim around its tank. He could tell that the camera was causing too much drag. So it was back to the drawing board. Crittercam got smaller and sleeker. It got better each time it was rebuilt.

Practice Together

Use a Problem-Solution Chart This chart shows a problem that scientists needed to solve in “Hitching a Ride.” What is the solution? Reread page 19 to find out.

Problem-Solution Chart
ProblemSolution
The scientists wanted to attach the camera safely.

Try It!

Make a Problem-Solution Chart Reread page 20 to find out how scientists solved this problem.

Problem-Solution Chart
ProblemSolution
The scientists had to find ways to get the cameras off.
    Internet InsideNG.com

  • An illustration of an arrow icon How did Crittercam help solve other problems? Choose an animal. Report what Crittercam found. Use the Internet to do your research.