Problem-Agitation-Solution Framework for Shorts
Why Problem-Agitation-Solution Works So Well For Shorts
Shorts live and die by the first three seconds.
You don’t have time for a slow build, long story, or detailed intro. Viewers swipe the moment they feel bored or confused. The Problem-Agitation-Solution (PAS) framework cuts straight to what matters.
It does three things very quickly:
- Names a problem your viewer actually feels
- Makes that problem feel urgent and uncomfortable
- Offers a simple, satisfying way out
In long copy, PAS might unfold over paragraphs. In Shorts, you compress that into 15 to 45 seconds without losing the emotional punch.
On a platform like ShortsFire where you’re creating lots of content, PAS gives you a repeatable structure. Instead of staring at a blank screen, you plug your ideas into a framework that already fits how human attention works.
Let’s break it down step by step, then turn it into plug-and-play templates you can use today.
The PAS Framework in Plain Language
Here’s the classic formula:
- Problem
- Agitation
- Solution
That sounds simple, but the way you do each step in a 30-second video is different from a blog post or sales page.
1. Problem: Name the pain in the first line
Your opening line is your hook. It should:
- Call out a specific person or situation
- Use everyday language
- Make the viewer think “That’s me” or “I know someone like that”
Bad hooks are vague:
“Want to improve your life?”
Good hooks are specific:
“You scroll for an hour before bed then complain you’re always tired.”
You’re not being mean. You’re being accurate.
In Shorts, you can show the problem visually too:
- Text on screen
- A quick demo
- A “before” situation
Some angles that work well:
- “If you always…”
- “Stop doing this…”
- “You’re doing X wrong…”
- “The real reason you can’t…”
Your only goal in the first three seconds is to make the right person stop scrolling.
2. Agitation: Turn up the discomfort
Once you’ve named the problem, you make it feel worse. Not in a fake way. In a “you keep ignoring this and it’s costing you” way.
You do this by:
- Calling out real consequences
- Showing what they’re losing
- Connecting the problem to emotions like stress, shame, or frustration
Examples:
“That ‘one more video’ at night is why you wake up tired, hit snooze three times, and feel behind before the day even starts.”
“You’re not ‘bad at content.’ You just keep starting from zero instead of using frameworks that actually work.”
In a Short, agitation usually lasts one or two lines, or a few seconds of visual storytelling. Don’t drag it out. Make it sharp and clear, then move straight into the fix.
3. Solution: Offer a clear, simple next step
The solution must feel:
- Simple
- Doable right now
- Specific enough to try immediately
Avoid generic advice like “Work harder” or “Believe in yourself.”
Instead:
- Give 1 to 3 clear steps
- Show the result they can expect
- If needed, mention a tool or system that makes it easier
Example:
“Try this for the next 7 nights: plug your phone in across the room, set a 30-minute reading timer, and don’t bring your charger to bed. You’ll fall asleep faster and stop losing an hour to pointless scrolling.”
For ShortsFire creators, PAS is perfect for micro tutorials, mindset shifts, product teases, and quick “do this, not that” content.
How PAS Looks in Short Form Scripts
Here are a few complete, short-form examples you can adapt.
Example 1: Productivity niche
Problem
“You’re not lazy. You just open your laptop and forget what you were supposed to do.”
Agitation
“So you check email, reply to random messages, scroll ‘for inspiration,’ and suddenly it’s 3 PM and you’ve done nothing that actually moves your life forward.”
Solution
“Try this: before you shut your laptop each night, write tomorrow’s 3 non-negotiable tasks on a sticky note and leave it on your keyboard. Next day, no thinking, no planning, just open your laptop and finish those 3. Do that for a week and watch your stress drop.”
Example 2: Fitness niche
Problem
“Still not seeing results even though you ‘go to the gym’ 5 days a week?”
Agitation
“You walk around, do a few random machines, check your phone between sets, and leave sweaty but not stronger. Then you wonder why your body looks the same.”
Solution
“For the next 30 days, run this simple plan instead: pick 5 compound lifts, track the weight for each, and every workout either add 1 rep or a tiny bit of weight. No fancy program. Just progressive overload. That’s how you actually change your body.”
Example 3: Creator / ShortsFire audience
Problem
“You’re posting Shorts every day and still getting 200 views.”
Agitation
“It’s not your camera, your editing, or the algorithm. You’re just telling stories no one asked for and skipping the part where you prove you understand the viewer’s actual problem.”
Solution
“Before you write your script, fill in this PAS template:
- Problem: ‘You’re struggling with X because Y’
- Agitation: ‘Here’s what that’s costing you’
- Solution: ‘Here’s a 3-step way to fix it’
Batch 10 ideas like this, then record them in one sitting. Your watch time will thank you.”
Adapting PAS for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Reels
Different platforms reward slightly different pacing and style. The core PAS idea is the same, but you can tune it for each.
YouTube Shorts
- Viewers often come from search or suggested videos
- Education and how-to content does well
How to adapt PAS:
- Make the problem search-friendly
- Use clear text on screen
- Deliver a solution that feels like a mini tutorial
Example problem hooks:
- “Stop doing this in your thumbnails…”
- “If your watch time sucks, this is why…”
TikTok
- Culture, personality, and trends matter more
- You can be a bit more dramatic and playful
How to adapt PAS:
- Act out the problem with skits
- Use trending sounds under your voice
- Exaggerate the agitation visually (faces, cuts, text)
Example:
- Problem: Act as “past you” doing the wrong thing
- Agitation: Quick cuts of frustrating outcomes
- Solution: Snap transition to “new you” doing the fix
Instagram Reels
- Strong on aesthetics, quick tips, and relatable moments
- Often watched with sound off
How to adapt PAS:
- Put the problem and solution in bold captions
- Use b-roll or aesthetic visuals under your voiceover
- Keep the solution extra tight, like 1 to 2 lines
Example:
- Problem text: “You save Reels ‘for later’ and never post”
- Agitation text: “Your camera roll is full of ideas that never see the light of day”
- Solution text: “Pick 3, batch edit in 30 minutes, schedule all 3. Done.”
PAS Templates You Can Steal
Here are plug-and-play templates you can drop straight into ShortsFire or your script tool of choice.
Template 1: “You’re doing it wrong”
- Problem: “You’re not [desired result] because you’re doing [common mistake].”
- Agitation: “So you keep getting [negative outcome], and it feels like [emotion].”
- Solution: “Instead, try this: [step 1], [step 2], [step 3].”
Example:
“You’re not growing on YouTube because you’re posting whenever you ‘feel like it.’ So your audience never knows when to expect you, and YouTube doesn’t either. Instead, pick 2 days, set a time, and post at that exact time for 30 days straight. Let your audience build a habit around you.”
Template 2: “You think X, but actually…”
- Problem: “You think [false belief].”
- Agitation: “That’s why you’re stuck with [problem] and keep seeing [evidence it’s not working].”
- Solution: “Here’s the real reason: [truth] and here’s what to do differently: [simple action].”
Template 3: “Stop / Start”
- Problem: “Stop [common behavior].”
- Agitation: “It’s causing [negative result].”
- Solution: “Start doing [new behavior] instead. Here’s how in 3 steps: [step 1, 2, 3].”
Use these as starting points, not scripts you must follow word for word. Your voice and examples are what make PAS content feel original.
Filming And Editing Tips To Boost PAS
Once your script is strong, your visuals should support the PAS flow.
For the Problem
- Use a strong pattern interrupt in the first second
- Add bold, readable text that states the problem
- Use a close-up shot so viewers feel addressed directly
For the Agitation
- Cut faster here to mirror the feeling of frustration
- Overlay quick examples or b-roll of the “pain”
- Use sound effects or subtle zooms to keep energy high
For the Solution
-
Slow the pacing slightly
-
Use clean, clear text for steps or key points
-
End with one of these:
- “Save this for later”
- “Try this for 7 days and come back to tell me what happened”
- “Follow for part 2 where I show you [specific next win]”
On ShortsFire, you can treat each part of PAS as a separate shot or segment. Script them as three mini beats: Hook, Stakes, Fix.
Turning PAS Into a Content Machine
Here’s how to turn PAS into an ongoing idea system instead of a one-off trick.
- List 10 real problems your audience has
- For each, write 1 to 2 agitation lines that describe the pain
- For each problem, brainstorm 1 fast, specific solution
You now have at least 10 Shorts ideas.
If you create in ShortsFire, you can:
- Turn each problem into a hook variations list
- Test different agitation lines with the same solution
- A/B test solution styles: “3 steps” vs “single mindset shift”
Over time, you’ll see patterns. Some problems pull views. Some agitation styles get more watch time. Some solutions drive more comments and shares.
Keep what works. Cut what doesn’t. PAS is flexible enough to evolve with your content and your audience.
Use it as your default script framework for a month and you’ll notice two big changes: your ideas will come faster, and your Shorts will feel sharper, more focused, and a lot harder to scroll past.