Cause & Effect Reasoning

Scholars … Recognize Cause & Effect as being complex Events often have multiple causes Try to figure out the most important causes This is where debate often occurs

Key Words Look for words in the reading like… “caused”, “led to,” “forced,” “because,” “brought about,” “resulted in,” or “reason for.” These will cue you to look for a cause & effect relationship.

For example… Laura’s motorcycle will not start (effect), so she decides it must be out of gas (proposed cause).

Key Questions Is there a reasonable connection between the cause and effect? Might there be other possible causes for this effect? Might there be important previous causes that led to the proposed cause?

Now apply our questions Laura’s motorcycle will not start (effect), so she decides it must be out of gas (proposed cause). Is there a reasonable connection between the cause and effect? Yes. An engine typically needs gasoline to start.

Now apply our questions Laura’s motorcycle will not start (effect), so she decides it must be out of gas (proposed cause). Might there be other possible causes for this effect? Yes. The starter might not be functioning, there is a block in the gas line, etc. Other possible causes have not been eliminated.

Now apply our questions Laura’s motorcycle will not start (effect), so she decides it must be out of gas (proposed cause). Might there be important previous causes that led to the proposed cause? Sometimes a previous cause may be more important. Say there is a hole in the gas tank. Then putting gas in the motorcycle won’t make any difference.

Over / Under Pick the perfect number for something Give a speech that includes these: Claim—topic, number, reason why it’s perfect that includes cause-effect reasoning Evidence—support your answer and number. Verbally cite source, name its reliability Analysis—make sure we agree that your evidence is powerful Rebuttal—give cause-effect reasoning for what bad effects would be with higher or lower numbers Conclude with power

Over Perfect number __________ Under