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?