1. How to Write a “Cause and Effect” Paragraph (Lesson Plan) by Jo Ann Grant

2. This Lesson Plan has been created for community college students who are in a basic paragraph writing class

3. INTRODUCTION
People are usually curious about what is happening and why
We tend to like to analyze the reasons why certain events or behaviors occur
Today, we will learn how to write cause and effect paragraphs

4. LESSON GOALS Learn how to write “cause and effect” paragraphs
Obtain practice in writing “cause and effect” paragraphs

5. CAUSE & EFFECT
In making decisions, an event, a change in your life, change in society always has a cause and effect
In writing a paragraph, when you explain the reason for something, you are writing about causes
In writing a paragraph, when you write about the results of something, you are writing about effects

6. “CAUSE” Cause” can be described in many ways:
why the World War I was fought
reasons why you and your friends had a fight
your motivation to go to college
what makes a person commit a crime
what produces a nuclear fusion
what brought about the changes in a law

7. “EFFECT” “Effect” can be described in many ways as well” -
the consequences of waiting until the night before the deadline to work on your final
the outcome of a lawsuit
results of September 11, 2002 on society
development arising from a new law that is passed
product created by a scientist

8. WRITING ACTIVITIES Step 1: Read the Sample Cause & Effect paragraph
Step 2: Fill out the Blank Cause & Effect Form
Step 3: Get into groups of 3 and share answers
Step 4: Review as a class

9. WRITING ACTIVITIES
Step 5: On your own, review current events on the following website: Union Tribune
Step 6: Choose a topic and write two paragraphs outlining the cause & effect. Use the Cause & Effect form to help you
Review Writing Paragraph Steps if needed