Cause and Effect Essays

Cause and Effect Essays

Cause and Effect

It’s simple, just four paragraphs:• Introduction• Causes• Effects• Conclusion

First Paragraph

Introduction:• One or two introductory sentences• Thesis statement

Second Paragraph

Causes:• Topic sentence introducing causes• First cause

– Supporting info: one or more sentences• Second cause

– Supporting info: one or more sentences

Third Paragraph

Effects:• Topic sentence introducing effects• First effect

– Supporting info: one or more sentences• Second effect

– Supporting info: one or more sentences

Fourth Paragraph

Conclusion (at least two of the following):• Restatement of causes• Restatement of effects• Proposed solutions• Look to future

Let’s Put Together an Essay!

I’ll give you the pieces, you arrange them into an essay

Sample Essay: Paragraph 1

IntroductionIn the past people used to eat healthy, freshly prepared food with their families in the home.  

Today however, many people prefer to eat fast food such as hamburgers, fried chicken, or pizza.

There are many reasons why this change has occurred, but fast-food also has some serious effects on individuals and society.

Thesis Statement

Introduce Topic

Past

PresentPresent

Sample Essay: Paragraph 2

Causes

There are many reasons for the popularity of fast food.

One of the main reasons is the change in lifestyle. Many people are

working long hours or extended school days. They don’t have time

to prepare good food. Women are now starting to work, and this can

result in less time being available for preparing meals.

Another cause is the huge number of young, affluent people. The

rapid development of the country has meant that young people,

have more money to spend.

Topic Sentence

Cause 1

Cause 2

Topic Sentence

Topic Sentence

Topic Sentence Supporting

InfoSupporting

Info

Supporting Info

Supporting Info

Sample Essay: Paragraph 3

Effects

However, this change in diet can have some serious effects.

One effect is on health. Many individuals are becoming fat. These people will be less productive and have conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

Another result of fast food is the loss of the family tradition of eating together. Children and adults rarely eat together now, and thus get less opportunity to talk.

Topic Sentence

Effect 1

Effect 2

Topic Sentence

Topic Sentence Supporting

InfoSupporting

Info

Supporting Info

Supporting Info

Sample Essay: Paragraph 4

Conclusion

In conclusion, fast food, although it is convenient, can have serious health and social effects.

People should learn to choose fast food carefully and remember the pleasure of eating good food in good company.

Restate Effects …

Look to future

• To explain reasons and results, we can use:• As a result,• As a consequence,• Consequently,• One reason why ...• One of the most important reasons why ...• The main reasons why ...• There are other reasons, too,

Some Language …from http://www.buowl.boun.edu.tr/students/types%20of%20essays/Cause%20and%20effect%20Essay.htm

• So,• Since• As, • Because

Topics

1. Air pollution in China2. The global economic crisis3. Over population4. Noise pollution5. Computer revolution6. Overuse of the internet7. Growth of cities in China8. Unaffordable housing in China

Do’s and Don’ts

Do:• Use the new template Essay Template.doc on

the essay-writing page of the TUSTCLASS2010 Essay Writing page

• Write in third person: use it, they, their, them • Look at the sample essays• Look at the IELTS Writing Problems-Key.pdf on

the TUSTCLASS2010 Better Writing page

Do’s and Don’ts

Don’t:• Use first person: I, we• Use second person: you• Use “nowadays” or “In a word” and then write

more than 1-3 words

… and more Do’s

• Do check very carefully for Deadly Sins• Do check grammar – I will be marking it more

carefully this time

Due Dates

• Classes 42 and 43: Wednesday, April 6 • Class 41: Thursday, April 7• Class 44: Friday, April 8

Cause and Effect RubricDeadly Sins (-10 pts. each)Spelling, capitalization, etc., errors ___TUST standards errors ___Late: -10 for each day ___ Content (10 pts. each)Intro: Intro. topic, Thesis Statement ___Cause 1 & supporting info ___Cause 2 & supporting info ___Effect 1 & supporting info ___Effect 2 & supporting info ___Conclusion: ___

Organization (10 pts. each)Ideas follow logically ___Statements are relevant to the topic ___

Mechanics (20 pts.)Grammar, usage, punctuation: ___