Cause and Effect Essay

Introduction The cause-effect essay explains why or

how some event happened, and what resulted from the event.

This essay is a study of the relationship between two or more events or experiences.

In other words, cause and effect essays focus on why things happen (causes) and what happens as a result (effects).

When writing a cause and effect essay:

1. Distinguish between cause and effect.

To determine causes, ask, "Why did this happen?"

To identify effects, ask, "What happened because of this?“

2. Develop your thesis statement.

State clearly whether you are discussing causes, effects, or both.

Introduce your main idea, using the terms “cause” and/or “effect.”

3. Organise supporting details.

You can organise details in the following ways:

• Chronological. Details are arranged in the order in which the events occurred.

• Order of importance. Details are arranged from least to most important or vice versa.

• Categorical. Details are arranged by dividing the topic

into parts or categories.

4. Use appropriate transitions.

To blend details,

use the transitional words and phrases.

Cause Signal Words

Effect Signal Words

because, due to, one cause is, another is, since, for, first, second

consequently, as a result, thus, resulted in, one result is, another is, therefore

What is a cause? What is an effect?

Cause and effect depend on each other. You can’t have one without the other. A plane crashed. That is the effect. What are the possible causes? Was it a mechanical or human error? Was it due to the weather? Was it a terrorist action? Obviously there are many possible causes.

How to write a cause and effect essay. Step one: Select a significant topic, for example, a social phenomenon or a

social trend. Examples:

Social phenomena: Teenage rebellion Teenage violence Domestic abuse Environmental crisis Pollution

Social trends: Increasing number of teenage pregnancies Increases in computer science majors.

Step two

Decide whether you want to examine the cause or effect or both.

Step three

Examine each cause and effect thoroughly, using sufficient evidence to prove your points.

Block & Chain

You can organise a cause/effect essay in You can organise a cause/effect essay in two main ways:two main ways:

1. Block organisation 2. Chain organisation

The patterns of cause and effect essays are the following

BLOCK PAT 1 Introduction, Thesis Cause 1 & TOS Cause 2 & TOS Cause 3 & TOS Transition para Effect 1 & TOS Effect 2 & TOS Effect 3 & TOS Conclusion

BLOCK PAT 2 Introduction, Thesis Causes with TOS Transition para Effect 1 & TOS Effect 2 & TOS Effect 3 & TOS

Conclusion

The patterns of cause and effect essays are the following

Block Pattern 4 Cause-to-Effect

Pattern Introduction,Thesis Effect 1 Effect 2 Effect 3 Conclusion

Block Pattern 5 Effect-to-Cause

Pattern Introduction,Thesis Cause 1 Cause 2 Cause 3 Conclusion

The patterns of cause and effect essays are the following

BLOCK PAT 3 Introduction, Thesis Effects & TOS Transition para Cause 1 & TOS Cause 2 & TOS Cause 3 & TOS Conclusion

Block Organisation

CauseCause

EffectEffect

EffectEffect

EffectEffect

EffectEffect

CauseCause

In block organisation, you first discuss all the In block organisation, you first discuss all the causes as a block, then, you discuss all the causes as a block, then, you discuss all the effects together as a block.effects together as a block.

CauseCause

CauseCause

CauseCause

EffectEffect

CauseCause

Effect Effect

Example:Example:

Cause Cause

Effect Effect

Your car is out of petrol.

Your car won't start

Example:Example:

effecteffect

causecause

ObesityObesity

Eating disorders Eating disorders

Example:Example:

Thinking about your family

Forgot bring your ID card

Missed writing exam

Failed writing course

Cause

Cause

Cause

Effect

Example:Example:

Decrease in personal liberties

Increase in nationalism

Greater prejudice against those of Middle Eastern decent

The events of September 11, 2001 changed the face of our nation forever

Effect

Effect

Effect

CauseCause

Transition Paragraph

In block organisation, a short paragraph often separates one major section from another major section. This paragraph is called a transition paragraph.

Its purpose is to conclude one section and introduce another section.

It is helpful when your topic is long and complex.

Diagram of cause-effect essay

Introduction Introduce the subject

Introduction Introduce the subject

BodyDescribe the cause and its

effects

causecause

effecteffect effecteffect effecteffect

ConclusionSummary

ConclusionSummary

CHAIN PATTERN In a chain-reaction essay, the reader

describes how one event led to another.

IntroductioIntroductionn

Cause Cause

Effect Effect

CauseCause

EffectEffect

ConclusioConclusionn

My wife left me!

Chain Reaction of events:Chain Reaction of events:

I received a deport from my boss. Because of my arrest, I lost my job. Because I lost my job, I had no money. Because I had no money, my wife left me.

Guideline for Writing Cause and Effect Essays

Introduction Lead-in: Introduce the topic Transition: Present popular assumption of the

cause or the effect concerning the topic Thesis Statement: Present your speculation about

the causes or effects of the topic (at least three cause or effects)

Body

Body Paragraph 1 1. Topic Sentence: Present the first cause or the first effect. 2. Supporting Details: Explain and provide examples. 3. Closing Remarks: Link the examples back to the topic

sentence.

Body Paragraph 2 1. Topic Sentence: Present the second cause or the second

effect. 2. Supporting Details: Explain and provide examples. 3. Closing Remarks: Link the examples back to the topic

sentence.

Body Paragraph 3 1. Topic Sentence: Present the third cause or the third effect. 2. Supporting Details: Explain and provide examples. 3. Closing Remarks: Link the examples back to the topic

sentence.

Conclusion

1. Restate the thesis statement.

2. Offer a solution or share insight.

When evaluating a cause and effect essay, ask the following questions:

What are the causes?

What are the effects?

Which should be emphasised?

Are there single or multiple causes?

Are there single or multiple effects?

Is a chain reaction involved?

YOUR ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS CHAPTER IS:

BBB3101 ACADEMIC WRITING SKILLSSEMESTER I 2014/2015

ASSIGNMENT 2 (25%): CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY

Instruction: Choose one of the following topics and write a 4-paragraph essay consisting of an Introductory Paragraph, TWO Supporting Paragraphs and a Concluding Paragraph.Requirements:1) Your introductory paragraph should not exceed 150 words, the body paragraphs should not exceed 200 words each, and the concluding paragraph should not exceed 150 words. 2) Your thesis statement should consist of at least 3 subdivisions and choose only TWO subdivisions to develop your supporting paragraphs.

3) Type your essay using Arial font, 12 pt., and spaced at 1.5 between lines. Remember to include page numbers.

4) You MUST cite works from experts. Include at least TWO (2) specific supporting details of different types (e.g. quotations or paraphrase/ statistics/ examples from various sources / references / online journals). Citation and referencing should be using the APA format.

5) Essays that are submitted after the deadline will be penalized 2 points per day unless you have prior approval/extension date, or a good and confirmable reason. If you need an extension, see your instructor. Extensions are at his/her discretion.

TOPICS: CHOOSE ONLY ONE TOPIC

Topics:

TOPIC 1 The problem of poverty has gone global not only in developed countries, but in civilized

countries as well. In Malaysia, people are also suffering from poverty. Write an essay discussing the effects of poverty on an individual.

TOPIC 2 As of 2007, around 2 million children were home schooled, increasing by almost 75

percent since 1999, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Based on the statement above, home schooling is getting popular every year among parents. Write a cause and effect essay on home school.

  TOPIC 3 Levels of youth crime are increasing rapidly in most cities around the world. Write a cause essay on the increasing crimes involving youths.

 

YOUR JOB IS:

Prepare a full essay not more than 750 words.

Outline need to be submitted together with the essay

Please print all the sources and enclosed it with your assignment.

Due Date is 27 December 2014