+ Cause & Effect LR - Chapter 9 Page 383

+ Cause & Effect? Answers the question Why? What if? Causal Analysis The need to make connections. Uncover subtle and often surprising connections between events or phenomena. Makes sense of experiences.

+ Cause-Effect Purpose & Audience Stay focused on the purpose of your analysis. Inform Persuade Speculate

+ Adapt content and tone to your purpose Supporting material The most effective tone. Inform reader by using Facts Statistics Expert opinion Convince your reader.

+ Think about causes and effects Dig for causes Think creatively about effects Examine your subject in depth Look beyond the obvious and superficial

+ Figure 9.1 / page 386 Brainstorm Free write Mapping Write the Cause Write the Effect

+ The Causal Chain One cause or effect Brings about another, then another, etc. Example: The Prohibition Amendment to the US Constitution went into effect on 1/29/20; bootleggers and organized crime stepped in to supply public demand for alcohol; ordinary citizens began breaking the law by buying illegally; disrespect for legal authority became widespread

+ Identify Causes and Effects Primary Secondary Focus Immediate Remote Both

+ Avoid post hoc, ergo propter hoc “after this “therefore because of this” The first event does not necessary cause the second event. Test it

+ Mistaking Correlation for Causation Two events correlate when they occur at about the same time. However, does not guarantee a cause-effect relationship. Use words which suggest time of occurrence “following” “previously”

+ Rigorous causal analysis involves more than loose generalization about causes and effects. Create plausible connections Library research Interviewing Both

+ Provide Facts Statistics Details Personal observations Other corroborative material so the reader will accept the reasoning behind the analysis.

+ Write a thesis Focus on causes, effects, or both Page 389. The thesis statement in a causal analysis does not have to Specify whether the essay will discuss causes, effects, or both. Or worded in such a way that the development is apparent However, a highly focused thesis will keep your analysis on track.

+ Choose an Organization Pattern Chronological Emphatic Sequence

+ Chronologic Order Discuss causes and effects in the order in which they occur or will occur. Organize a discussion about effects. Problem may occur Strict time sequence can place the cause or effect to end up in the middle on the sequence.

+ Emphatic Order Reserving the most significant cause or effect for the end. For example Time order could be used to present the reasons behind a candidate’s unexpected victory. Especially effective way to sequence cause-effect points when reader holds a mistaken or narrow view about a subject. Page 391.

+ The Writing Word the thesis is such a way that it signals which point the essay will stress. Page 391 Provide clear signals to identify when you are discussing Causes Effects Examples “Another reason” “A final outcome”

+ Use language that hints at the complexity of cause-effect relationships. “most likely” “it’s probably that” Don’t fail to take a stand!