Cause and Effect

Purpose of Cause and Effect Purpose

Predict, explain causes Predict, explain effects Predict, explain causes and effects Doing this to inform or persuade your audience

Causal Relationships Be sure that a cause leads to an effect Experiments are truest way to identify cause

and effect relationship

CauseEffect Child misbehavesparent grounds child Eat high-fat foodgain weight, become ill Get a headachetake medicinerelieve headache

(CauseEffect/CauseEffect)

Questions for Cause/Effect Essays To identify causes in support of essay:

Explain why… List contributing factors… Tell what caused…

To identify effects in support section of essay: Predict the outcomes… Explain the results… Explain the effects… Discuss the consequences…

Discussing Causes in Support of Essay Given an effect

List the factors that contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle.

Ask… “What causes can lead to…?” “What happened before ________ that could be

linked to causing this event?” Prewrite Causes

Effect

What Behaviors Lead to Bad Health?

Discussing Causes: Develop Thesis Generate a main idea about your discussion of

causes What overall point do you want to make? Divided thesis option

What three main causes will essay focus on?

Use clear wording Identify the topic Use language that shows discussing causes

Unhealthy lifestyles are caused primarily by sedentary habits, high-fat and high-sugar food intake, and drug abuse.

Discussing Causes: Essay StructureI. Introduction

A. Opening RemarksB. Thesis

II. BodyA. First cause

1. Support with specifics, examples, and details

B. Second cause1. Support with

specifics, examples, and details

C. Third cause1. Support with

specifics, examples, and details

III. ConclusionA. Concluding

StatementB. Closing Remarks

1. Story2. Quote3. Present call for

action

Discussing Effects in Support of Essay Given a cause

Discuss the consequences of not living a healthy lifestyle.

Ask… What results from…? What effects or consequences are observed after

_______ happens? Prewrite Effects

Cause

What are the Effects of Unhealthy Living?

Discussing Effects: Develop Thesis Generate a main idea about your discussion of

effects What overall impression do you want to give about

those effects? Divided thesis option

What three main effects will essay focus on?

Use clear wording Identify the topic Use language that shows discussing effects

By choosing to live an unhealthy lifestyle, individuals’ bodies suffer the harmful consequences.

Discussing Effects: Essay Structure

I. IntroductionA. Opening RemarksB. Thesis

II. BodyA. First effect

1. Support with specifics, examples, and details

B. Second effect1. Support with

specifics, examples, and details

C. Third effect1. Support with

specifics, examples, and details

III. ConclusionA. Concluding

StatementB. Closing Remarks

1. Story2. Quote3. Present call for

action

Sample Essay (212 in Text) What is the cause? What effects does writer discuss?

Changes to Halloween (with anecdotes) Other holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas)

Specific examples of what changed Disrupted daily lives (dinner) Changed routine (split visitation)

Discussing Causes AND Effects First, carefully read question

Does assignment present limitations? Organize logically

Discussing Both Causes and Effects: Essay StructureFrom Effects to Causes

From Causes to Effects

I. IntroductionA. Opening RemarksB. Thesis

II. BodyA. First effect with supportB. Second effect with supportC. First cause with support

(Be sure to use clear transition)

D. Second cause with support

III. ConclusionA. Concluding StatementB. Closing Remarks

I. IntroductionA. Opening RemarksB. Thesis

II. BodyA. First cause with supportB. Second cause with supportC. First effect with support

(Be sure to use clear transition)

D. Second effect with support

III. ConclusionA. Concluding StatementB. Closing Remarks

Discussing Causes or Effects or Both: Coherency Logical order

Least important/weakest to most important/ strongest cause or effect

Group specific details that are related Time order

Causes may happen in a specific order Remember causal relationships must exist

Thesis Statement At end of introduction (last sentence) Identifies the topic Identifies whether writer will discuss causes or

effects or both

Journal What reasons would compel someone to

attend college? What effect has technology had on society?

Write for 20 minutes, and revise and edit your work.