Arguing About What Causes a Topic or What Results from a Topic Causal Analysis Arguing About What Causes a Topic or What Results from a Topic

What is Causal Analysis Writing? Exploring how one thing leads to another “to explain why people behave a particular way, why something happened, or why something is changing in the world around us” (Johnson-Sheehan & Paine, 2015, p.127) “you are essentially investigating why something happened” (Johnson-Sheehan & Paine, 2015, p.129)

Why is Causal Analysis Writing an Argument? Trying to prove why one thing results from another The increase in taxes has led to less new businesses, more debt, and increased homelessness. Violent television programs, video games, and song lyrics have caused a rise in teenage violence. Increased forms of communication have led to more stress, less human connections, and a decrease in communicative abilities.

Both Generative and Persuasive Causal Analysis writing can be used to Generative: Explain to a group you are working with why a certain approach will cause problems later, or to explain what approach will create the best results. Persuasive: Persuade people to take a specific action that will prevent future problems, or lead to positive outcomes

Both Generative and Persuasive Your ice hockey team keeps losing games. Generative: You point out that the defense is sloppy and that none of you actually know how to skate very well. Persuasive: You tell them that you need to find a coach because a coach can provide an unbiased look at the team, and craft new strategies.

Remember In this essay your body will cover causes or effects, NOT both. Topic = cause Body = effects More exercise leads to more energy, weight loss, and better moods. Topic = more exercise = cause Body = effects = more energy, weight loss, better moods

Remember In this essay your body will cover causes or effects, NOT both. Topic = effect Body = causes The three leading reasons a person moves to Florida are warm weather, proximity to beaches, and attractions. Topic = moving to Florida = effect Body = causes = warm weather, proximity to beaches, attractions

Common Issues in Causal Analysis Writing 1. Listing Instead of Explaining: Don’t write A leads to B, C, and D. Write A leads to B because… A also leads to B because… Always explain how or why. 2. Providing Background or Irrelevant Info Instead of Causes or Effects: Write about your thesis statement, not your topic. If you’re arguing that coffee has negative health effects, you don’t need to explain how coffee is brewed or describe all of the countries where it is grown.

Common Issues in Causal Analysis Writing 3. Discussing Effects of Effects or Causes of Causes: You might be writing about how riding a bike without a helmet results in more injuries. That does not mean you also need to explain how those injuries lead to increased insurance costs, long waits in an emergency room, or scars that don’t look good. 4. Using the Same Cause or Effect in Different Sections: If your paper is about the negative effects of alcoholism and you have organized it into effects on friends, effects on family, and effects on coworkers, you do not want to talk about financial burdens in all three of these sections.