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Cause-Effect Cause-Effect Expository EssayExpository Essay
IntroductionIntroduction • The cause-effect expository 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.
• In other words, cause and effect essays focus on why things happen (causes) and what happens as a result (effects).
When writing a cause and effect
essay:
1. Distinguish between cause and effect.
To determine causes, ask, "Why did this happen?"
To identify effects, ask, "What happened because of this?“
2. Develop your thesis statement.
State clearly whether you are discussing causes, effects, or both.
Introduce your main idea, using the terms “cause” and/or “effect.”
3. Organise supporting details.
You can organise details in the following ways:
• Chronological. Details are arranged in the order in
which the events occurred.• Order of importance. Details are arranged
from least to most important or vice versa.
• Categorical. Details are arranged by dividing the topic into parts or categories.
4. Use appropriate transitions.
To blend details,
use the transitional words and phrases.
Cause Signal Words
Effect Signal Words
because, due to, one cause is, another is, since, for, first, second
consequently, as a result, thus, resulted in, one result is, another is, therefore
Block & ChainBlock & ChainYou can organise a cause/effect essay in two You can organise a cause/effect essay in two
main ways:main ways:
1. Block organisation 2. Chain organisation
Block OrganisationBlock Organisation
CauseCause
EffectEffect
EffectEffect
EffectEffect
EffectEffect
CauseCauseCauseCause
Effect Effect
• In block organization, you first discuss all the causes as a block, then, you discuss all the effects together as a block.
CauseCause
CauseCause
CauseCause
EffectEffect
• Example:Example:
Your car is out of gas.
Your car won't start
Cause Cause
Effect Effect
• Example:Example:
effecteffect
causecause
ObesityObesity
Eating disorders Eating disorders
• Example:Example:
Thinking about your family
Forgot homework
Missed writing exam
Received D in Writing Course
Cause
Cause
Cause
Effect
• Example:Example:
Decrease in personal liberties
Increase in nationalism
Greater prejudice against those of Middle Eastern decent
The events of September 11, 2001 changed the world forever
Effect
Effect
Effect
CauseCause
Transition ParagraphTransition Paragraph
• In block organization, a short paragraph often separates one major section from another major section. This paragraph is called a transition paragraph.
• Its purpose is to conclude one section and introduce another section.
• It is helpful when your topic is long and complex.
Diagram of cause-effect essayDiagram of cause-effect essay
Introduction Introduce the subject
Introduction Introduce the subject
BodyDescribe the cause and its
effects
causecause
effecteffect effecteffect effecteffect
ConclusionSummary
ConclusionSummary
Chain OrganisationChain Organisation In a chain-reaction essay, the reader
describes how one event led to another.
ConclusioConclusionn
IntroductioIntroductionn
Cause Cause
Effect Effect
CauseCause
EffectEffect
The Johnstown FloodThe Johnstown Flood
The Johnstown FloodThe Johnstown Flood
Chain Reaction of events:Chain Reaction of events:
• Rich citizens built dam above Johnstown creating Lake Conemaugh for their leisure
• Repairs on dam were not conducted by experts – shoddy work
• The spillway was obstructed to keep fish in lake and there were no discharge pipes – water level could not be controlled
• A rainfall of biblical proportions causing the dam to burst bringing 20 million tons of water down on Johnstown
Suggestions• Remember your purpose
• Focus on immediate and direct causes (or effects)
• Strengthen your essay by using supporting evidence
When evaluating a cause and effect essay, ask the following questions:
What are the causes?
What are the effects?
Which should be emphasised?
Are there single or multiple causes?
Are there single or multiple effects?
Is a chain reaction involved?
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