The Cause-Effect Essay St. Robert Catholic High School Information taken from: Information taken from:

The Cause/Effect Essay 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. The essay could discuss both causes and effects, or it could simply address one or the other. A cause essay usually discusses the reasons why something happened. An effect essay discusses what happens after a specific event or circumstance. Information taken from:

1.Cause-and-effect writing gives reasons and explanations for events, conditions, or behavior. 2.It answers the need most of us have to understand the world around us. 3.When planning a cause-and-effect essay, begin by listing the event or condition you want to address. 4.Then brainstorm to generate ideas about either its causes or its effects. 5.Think carefully about the causes and effects you have listed. 6.As part of prewriting you may find it helpful to diagram or demonstrate these relationships graphically. 7.Check to be sure you have not drawn any faulty conclusions. 8.Your conclusions are faulty if the cause-and- effect relationship does not exist or if it is unreasonable or not clearly established. Ask yourself :Have I assumed a cause-effect relationship when there is none? Information taken from:

Causal Relation: Necessary Cause - one that must be present for the effect to occur. Ex. Combustion is necessary to drive a gasoline engine. Ex. Combustion is necessary to drive a gasoline engine. Sufficient Cause - one that can produce an effect unaided, though there may be more than one sufficient cause of a given effect. Ex. A dead battery is enough to keep a car from starting--but faulty spark plugs or an empty gas tank will have the same effect. Ex. A dead battery is enough to keep a car from starting--but faulty spark plugs or an empty gas tank will have the same effect. Contributory Cause - one that helps to produce an effect but cannot do so by itself. Ex. Running a red light might help to cause an accident....though other facts -- pedestrians or other cars in the intersection -- must also be present. Ex. Running a red light might help to cause an accident....though other facts -- pedestrians or other cars in the intersection -- must also be present. Information taken from:

Multiple Causes-->Effect In this pattern, the organization is as follows: Thesis statement: Air pollution is caused by a variety of imperceptible, but controllable industries. I. exhaust gases from cars A. government does not take enough control A. government does not take enough control B. citizens are not as conscientious as they could be B. citizens are not as conscientious as they could be II. uncontrolled factory gases A. no regular checks on gases released that need to be regulated A. no regular checks on gases released that need to be regulated B. factories are inside the borders of residential areas and should be moved B. factories are inside the borders of residential areas and should be moved III. burning of low-quality coal for heating A. government does not take enough control A. government does not take enough control B. other forms of energy are too expensive, but B. other forms of energy are too expensive, but Information taken from:

Causal chain / Domino In this pattern, the events lead to one another, as in the following organization: Thesis statement: Using deodorants with chlorofluorocarbon gas will bring the end of world. I. Chlorofluorocarbon gases are contained in most deodorants and released by some factories into the air. II. This gas causes the ozone layer to become thinner and finally disappear in patches. III. The unfiltered ultraviolet rays of the sun cause overheating in the poles of the earth, where the icebergs start to melt. IV. The huge amount of water released from the poles leads to a rise in the sea-level. V. The sea will cover the land and this will be the end of the world. Information taken from:

Cause-->Multiple Effects In this pattern, the effects of a certain situation are explained in separate paragraphs, with the following organization: Thesis statement: Watching too much TV is one of the major sociological issues of this century, which has many effects on the physiology and psychology of people. I. eating disorders A. TV meals A. TV meals B. obesity B. obesity II. communication problems A. more violence A. more violence B. no interpersonal talk B. no interpersonal talk Information taken from:

Outline Cause with Multiple Effects Introduction General statement (past & present condition) Thesis statement ______________________________________ Body Paragraph 2 (Causes/Effect) Cause 1 _____________________________________________ Effect 1A _____________________________________________ Example (supporting information) __________________________ Effect 1B _____________________________________________ Example (supporting information) __________________________ Paragraph 3 (Causes/Effect) Cause 2 _____________________________________________ Effect 2A _____________________________________________ Example (supporting information) __________________________ Effect 2B _____________________________________________ Example (supporting information) __________________________ Paragraph 4 (Causes/Effect) Cause 3 _____________________________________________ Effect 3A _____________________________________________ Example (supporting information) __________________________ Effect 3B _____________________________________________ Example (supporting information) __________________________ Conclusion Re-state the thesis statement _____________________________ Summary ____________________________________________

Outline Cause with Multiple Effects Introduction General statement (past & present condition) Thesis statement: King Lear’s downfall is the result of both social and emotional factors. Body Paragraph 2 (Causes/Effect) Cause 1 His rash behavior Effect 1A Makes decisions without thinking of the consequences Example (supporting information) Give his kingdom to daughters Effect 1B Banishes those who care most for him Example (supporting information) Cordelia and Kent Paragraph 3 (Causes/Effect) Cause 2 Uncaring relatives Effect 2A daughters Example (supporting information) Goneril & Regan Effect 2B Son-in-law Example (supporting information) Duke of Cornwall Paragraph 4 (Causes/Effect) Cause 3 Mental deterioration Effect 3A started to go crazy Example (supporting information) held a trial for her daughters using a stool and fake jury. Effect 3B _____________________________________________ Example (supporting information) __________________________ Conclusion Re-state the thesis statement _____________________________ ____________________________________________ Summary ____________________________________________

Questions to ask yourself: 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? Information taken from:

Compose a thesis statement that clearly states your topic. Because cause-and-effect essays need a readily identifiable structure, you will almost always write the essay in chronological order. Sometimes, however, you will use reverse chronological order. For example, you might begin with an effect or a series of effects and trace them back to their original cause. Whatever organization you use, write paragraphs with strong, clear topic sentences and relevant supporting details. As you write, be careful not to overstate your case. Because many causal relationships cannot be proven conclusively, you may want to qualify your statements. Information taken from:

Cause and Effect Degrees of Certainty Levels of Importance as a result certainly above all becausemay equally important consequentlynecessarilyfinally due to perhapsfirst if....thenpossiblyinitially leads to probablylast thereforeundoubtedlyprimarily thusunquestionablysecond Transition Words Information taken from:

Works Cited Dwyer 6 Works Cited Coelho, P. The Alchemist. San Francisco: Harper Collins, Fitzgerald, F. The Great Gatsby. New York: Penguin, Hemingway, E. The Sun Also Rises. New York: Harper Collins, Lee, H. To Kill A Mockingbird. Philadelphia: Warner Books, Williams, T. The Glass Menagerie. New York: New Directions Books, Do NOT separate entries by categories: Books, Internet, Magazines’ Remember to remain consistent in the font choice and size. Indent every line after the first line by one tab The Works Cited page MUST be on a separate page Ensure that you name and number the works cited page as well. A double space between the heading (Works Cited) and the first line is all the spacing necessary. Ensure that all entries are entered in alphabetical order: C, F, H, L, W

General Tips 1.Always introduce the author (by full name the first time and by last name thereafter) and the title of the piece of literature near the beginning of the piece. 2.When referencing a person after the first time you may use their last name only. NEVER refer to him/her by his/her first name. 3.Their = possession They’re = they are There = a place 4.Avoid saying “in this quote” 5.When you indent quotes, drop the quotation marks because they are implied 6.Don’t be redundant (ie. it was fake & fabricated)

General Tips 7.Don’t repeat exact same lines or ideas 8.Unless there are two novels (pieces of literature), after you introduce the title, do not continue referring to it by name…say “the novel” 9.Avoid double negatives (ie. “falsely fabricated” or “she didn’t not like it”) 10.Don’t say “the society,” just say “society” 11.Quotations should support the topic sentence & thesis. (ie. “Gatsby is better than Daisy” – Your quote should be about what makes Gatsby good, not about what makes Daisy not as good.

General Tips 12.End paragraphs with a concluding sentence that relates back to the topic sentence/thesis. Then after the concluding sentence, finish the paragraph with a sentence that links to the next paragraph. 13.Use transitional words within you paragraphs. 14.Transitional words as the first word of the sentence is almost always followed by a comma. 15.Say “quotation” not “quote” 16.Do not use symbols for words “+” or “&” for the word “and” 17.Do not abbreviate words or use contractions.

General Tips 18.Do not put quotation marks around something that is not being cited on your works cited page. Use italics if it is necessary to emphasize something. 19.Your title should reflect your essay’s thesis. Do not underline the title of the essay. 20.Always underline the title of the literary work (even in the title). 21.Do not state the obvious. 22.Quotations that are facts should be embedded in a sentences, not recorded as a separate sentence. 23.There is no such word as “anyways.”

General Tips 24.Do not put your supports/arguments directly in the thesis (they should be in the intro paragraph but not in the thesis statement). 25. Never begin or end a paragraph with a quotation. 26.Never have two quotations back to back. 27.Do not switch from past to present tense 28. Always introduce a quotation: 1. Fitzgerald writes, “ ” (Fitzgerald 20). 2. Nick explains with great seriousness, “ ” (Fitzgerald 22). 3. Gatsby insists, “ ” (Fitzgerald 26).

General Tips 29. I can’t say this enough…use transitional words to create flow in your essay. It will not only help with flow, but with analysis/discussion. If you followed a sentence with thus, or therefore, you will be forced to explain the result of the argument you have made. 30. Do not try to prove plot. (ie. “Tom’s got some woman in the city” is not a good support quote because it is strictly fact…what else could you say about it? A quote should add insight and depth.) 31. Do not use a coverpage. Remember that your last name and page number will begin on page 2 of the essay. 32. Remove any improper spacing. Use double spacing and alignment to the left, with 1 inch borders. 33. Use only Ariel or TNR, size 12 font