Writing Cause and Effect Essays

What is a Cause and Effect Essay? Provides reasons and explanations for events, conditions, or behaviors. Traces probable or known effects of a certain cause or examines one or more effects and discusses the reasonable or known cause(s).

Understanding the Assignment Cause and Effect Essay assignments typically use the following language: "What are the causes of X?" "What led to X?" "Why did X occur?" "Why does X happen?" "What would be the effects of X?" “Writing Essay Exams”. The OWL at Purdue. 27 May 2008 <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/general/gl_essay.html>.

Example: Define recession and discuss the effects the recession has had on American society. “Writing Essay Exams”. The OWL at Purdue. 27 May 2008 <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/general/gl_essay.html>.

Essay Characteristics Presentation of the event or issue. The reader must first understand that a problem or issue exists. This explanation is key to your analysis. The use of strong, assertive language that shows neither negativity nor bias. The use of factual evidence to show the cause and effect relationship. Jordan-Henley, Jennifer. “A Brief Guide to Writing Cause and Effect Essays”. The RSCC Online Writing Lab. Roane State Community College. 27 May 2008 <http://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/owl&writingcenter/OWL/Cause.html>.

Presentation of the Issue It is important for your reader to understand why the issue exists. An explanation of the issue in combination with a cause/effect analysis will allow the reader to understand your point of view. Jordan-Henley, Jennifer. “A Brief Guide to Writing Cause and Effect Essays”. The RSCC Online Writing Lab. Roane State Community College. 27 May 2008 <http://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/owl&writingcenter/OWL/Cause.html>.

Use Fact-Based Evidence to Support Claims Use the RCC Library website to search the research databases to locate data Search the internet for published studies and credible organizations For more information about library research, please see a Writing Center tutor or visit the RCC Library

Avoid Negative Statements and Bias Avoid biased statements or make negative statements to the reader The American public is too blind to see that the death penalty is wrong. Voter ignorance is one contributing factor that allows policies like the death penalty to come into law. More death penalty education is needed to provide the voting public with the information they need to make informed decisions.

Use the 3rd Person I believe that the death penalty is wrong because it is a state sanctioned form of murder. The death penalty is wrong because it is a state sanctioned form of murder. The removal of the “I believe that” makes the sentence more forceful. The purpose of a cause and effect paper is to be as convincing as possible and to convince readers to accept the cause and effect as plausible.

Brainstorming Complete some initial brainstorming to determine cause and effect relationships for your topic. As stated earlier, conduct research to find factual information. Determine if any of your cause/effect relationships are faulty. Your conclusions are faulty if the cause-and-effect relationship does not exist, if it is unreasonable, or not clearly established.

Important Questions to Ask Have I assumed only one cause when many causes may be appropriate? Have I incorrectly assumed a causal relationship between two events that immediately follow each other? Did I distinguish between long-term and short-term causes and effects. A short-term cause or effect is a single, immediately identifiable event; a long-term cause or effect may be less easy to pinpoint but in the long run more important? Did I distinguish between primary (most important) and secondary (ancillary) effects? The Cause and Effect Essay. Mount Hebron High School. 27 May 2008 <http://www.howard.k12.md.us/mth/english_dept/adv-comp/eng_effect.html>.

Planning a Cause/Effect Essay Purpose and Thesis: Be sure to identify the relationships among the specific causes and effect you will discuss. Thesis statement should tell the reader The points you plan to consider The position you will take Whether you will emphasize causes, effects, or both. The cause and/or effect you consider most important. The order in which you will treat your points. Fall 2008

Sample Thesis Statement: The recession, a nationwide lull in business activity, has been detrimental to American society in the following ways: A, B and C.

Transitional Words Because Consequently, Therefore, For this reason, As a result, “Writing Essay Exams”. The OWL at Purdue. 27 May 2008 <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/print/general/gl_essay.html>.

Points to Remember Explain the issue, avoid negativity and bias, and use the 3rd person voice to make your assertions. Perform a causal relationship analysis—make sure your cause and effect relationships are valid before you start writing. Transitional words will help pinpoint the similarities and differences for the reader – be sure to use them.

Be Careful:Don’t confuse the terms “affect” and “effect” Use affect as a verb and effect as a noun –refer to page 216 in our textbook

Last thoughts: Beware of the Fallacy Don’t fall into the trap of making a fallacious (incorrect and inaccurate) argument!

“Post hoc ergo propter hoc” Logical fallacy which means, “after this, therefore because of it” Do not assume that just because even A precedes event B, event A caused even B. This illogical assumption is called post hoc reasoning. This error leads you to confuse coincidence (or correlation) with causality

Logical Fallacies Go to the following website to read more about fallacies: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/659/03/ Fall 2008

Homework: Conduct an internet-based research assignment and find an example of the post hoc fallacy: either from scientific research, or from current news. In 250 words, discuss the article/issue in question and explain why it serves as a good example of the post hoc fallacy Remember to attach the article to your analysis Be prepared to discuss your issue in class