The Cause-Effect Essay

The The Cause-Effect Cause-Effect

EssayEssaySt. Robert St. Robert

Catholic High SchoolCatholic High School

Information taken from: http://www.howard.k12.md.us/mth/english_dept/adv-comp/eng_effect.html Information taken from: http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/essay.html

http://www.howard.k12.md.us/mth/english_dept/adv-comp/eng_effect.html

http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/essay.html

The The Cause/EffectCause/Effect Essay Essay

The The cause/effectcause/effect essay explains essay explains why or how some event happened, why or how some event happened, and what resulted from the event. and what resulted from the event. This essay is a study of the This essay is a study of the relationship between two or more relationship between two or more events or experiences. events or experiences. The essay could discuss both The essay could discuss both causescauses and and effects,effects, or it could or it could simply address one or the other. simply address one or the other. A A cause essaycause essay usually discusses usually discusses the reasons why something the reasons why something happened. happened. An An effect essayeffect essay discusses what discusses what happens after a specific event or happens after a specific event or circumstance. circumstance.

Information taken from: http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/essay.html

http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/essay.html

1.1. Cause-and-effect writing gives reasons and Cause-and-effect writing gives reasons and explanations for events, conditions, or explanations for events, conditions, or behavior. behavior.

2.2. It answers the need most of us have to It answers the need most of us have to understand the world around us.understand the world around us.

3.3. When planning a cause-and-effect essay, When planning a cause-and-effect essay, begin by listing the event or condition you begin by listing the event or condition you want to address. want to address.

4.4. Then brainstorm to generate ideas about Then brainstorm to generate ideas about either its causes or its effects. either its causes or its effects.

5.5. Think carefully about the causes and effects Think carefully about the causes and effects you have listed. you have listed.

6.6. As part of prewriting you may find it helpful to As part of prewriting you may find it helpful to diagram or demonstrate these relationships diagram or demonstrate these relationships graphically. graphically.

7.7. Check to be sure you have not drawn any Check to be sure you have not drawn any faulty conclusions. faulty conclusions.

8.8. Your conclusions are faulty if the cause-and-Your conclusions are faulty if the cause-and-effect relationship does not exist or if it is effect relationship does not exist or if it is unreasonable or not clearly established. unreasonable or not clearly established. Ask Ask yourself :yourself :Have I assumed a cause-effect Have I assumed a cause-effect relationship when there is none?relationship when there is none?

Information taken from: http://www.howard.k12.md.us/mth/english_dept/adv-comp/eng_effect.html


Causal Relation:Causal Relation: Necessary Cause Necessary Cause - one that must - one that must be present for the effect to be present for the effect to occur.occur. Ex. Combustion is necessary to Ex. Combustion is necessary to

drive a gasoline engine.drive a gasoline engine. Sufficient CauseSufficient Cause - - one that can one that can produce an effect unaided, produce an effect unaided, though there may be more than though there may be more than one sufficient cause of a given one sufficient cause of a given effect.effect. Ex. A dead battery is enough to Ex. A dead battery is enough to

keep a car from starting--but faulty keep a car from starting--but faulty spark plugs or an empty gas tank spark plugs or an empty gas tank will have the same effect.will have the same effect.

Contributory CauseContributory Cause - one that - one that helps to produce an effect but helps to produce an effect but cannot do so by itself.cannot do so by itself. Ex. Running a red light might help Ex. Running a red light might help

to cause an accident....though other to cause an accident....though other facts -- pedestrians or other cars in facts -- pedestrians or other cars in the intersection -- must also be the intersection -- must also be present.present.



Multiple Causes-->EffectMultiple Causes-->Effect

In this pattern, the organization is as follows:In this pattern, the organization is as follows:

Thesis statement:Thesis statement: Air pollution is Air pollution is caused by a variety of imperceptible, caused by a variety of imperceptible, but controllable industries.but controllable industries.

I. exhaust gases from carsI. exhaust gases from cars A. government does not take enough A. government does not take enough

controlcontrol B. citizens are not as conscientious as they B. citizens are not as conscientious as they

could becould beII. uncontrolled factory gasesII. uncontrolled factory gases A. no regular checks on gases released that A. no regular checks on gases released that

need to be regulatedneed to be regulated B. factories are inside the borders of B. factories are inside the borders of

residential areas and should be movedresidential areas and should be movedIII. burning of low-quality coal for heatingIII. burning of low-quality coal for heating A. government does not take enough A. government does not take enough

controlcontrol B. other forms of energy are too expensive, B. other forms of energy are too expensive,

but but Information taken from: http://www.howard.k12.md.us/mth/english_dept/adv-comp/eng_effect.html


Causal chain / DominoCausal chain / DominoIn this pattern, the events lead to one In this pattern, the events lead to one

another, as in the following organization:another, as in the following organization: Thesis statement:Thesis statement: Using deodorants with Using deodorants with

chlorofluorocarbon gas will bring the end chlorofluorocarbon gas will bring the end of world.of world.

I.I. Chlorofluorocarbon gases are contained Chlorofluorocarbon gases are contained in most deodorants and released by in most deodorants and released by some factories into the air. some factories into the air.

II.II. This gas causes the ozone layer to This gas causes the ozone layer to become thinner and finally disappear in become thinner and finally disappear in patches.patches.

III.III. The unfiltered ultraviolet rays of the sun The unfiltered ultraviolet rays of the sun cause overheating in the poles of the cause overheating in the poles of the earth, where the icebergs start to melt.earth, where the icebergs start to melt.

IV.IV. The huge amount of water released from The huge amount of water released from the poles leads to a rise in the sea-level.the poles leads to a rise in the sea-level.

V.V. The sea will cover the land and this will The sea will cover the land and this will be the end of the world. be the end of the world.


Cause-->Multiple EffectsCause-->Multiple Effects

In this pattern, the effects of a certain situation are In this pattern, the effects of a certain situation are explained in separate paragraphs, with the following explained in separate paragraphs, with the following organization:organization:

Thesis statement:Thesis statement: Watching too Watching too much TV is one of the major much TV is one of the major sociological issues of this century, sociological issues of this century, which has many effects on the which has many effects on the physiology and psychology of physiology and psychology of people.people.

I. eating disordersI. eating disorders A. TV meals A. TV meals B. obesityB. obesityII. communication problemsII. communication problems A. more violenceA. more violence B. no interpersonal talkB. no interpersonal talk


Outline Outline Cause with Multiple EffectsCause with Multiple Effects

IntroductionIntroductionGeneral statement (past & present condition)General statement (past & present condition)Thesis statement ______________________________________Thesis statement ______________________________________

BodyBodyParagraph 2 (Causes/Effect)Paragraph 2 (Causes/Effect)Cause Cause 11 _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________Effect Effect 1A1A _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________Example (supporting information) __________________________Example (supporting information) __________________________Effect Effect 1B1B _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________Example (supporting information) __________________________Example (supporting information) __________________________

Paragraph 3 (Causes/Effect)Paragraph 3 (Causes/Effect)Cause Cause 22 _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________Effect Effect 2A2A _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________Example (supporting information) __________________________Example (supporting information) __________________________Effect Effect 2B2B _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________Example (supporting information) __________________________Example (supporting information) __________________________

Paragraph 4 (Causes/Effect)Paragraph 4 (Causes/Effect)Cause Cause 33 _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________Effect Effect 3A3A _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________Example (supporting information) __________________________Example (supporting information) __________________________Effect Effect 3B3B _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________Example (supporting information) __________________________Example (supporting information) __________________________

ConclusionConclusionRe-state the thesis statement _____________________________Re-state the thesis statement _____________________________Summary ____________________________________________Summary ____________________________________________

Outline Outline Cause with Multiple EffectsCause with Multiple Effects

IntroductionGeneral statement (past & present condition)Thesis statement: King Lear’s downfall is the result of both social

and emotional factors.

BodyParagraph 2 (Causes/Effect)Cause 1 His rash behaviorEffect 1A Makes decisions without thinking of the consequencesExample (supporting information) Give his kingdom to daughtersEffect 1B Banishes those who care most for himExample (supporting information) Cordelia and Kent

Paragraph 3 (Causes/Effect)Cause 2 Uncaring relativesEffect 2A daughtersExample (supporting information) Goneril & ReganEffect 2B Son-in-lawExample (supporting information) Duke of Cornwall

Paragraph 4 (Causes/Effect)Cause 3 Mental deterioration Effect 3A started to go crazyExample (supporting information) held a trial for her daughters

using a stool and fake jury.Effect 3B _____________________________________________Example (supporting information) __________________________

ConclusionRe-state the thesis statement _____________________________Summary ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Questions to ask yourself:Questions to ask yourself:Have I assumed only one cause when Have I assumed only one cause when many causes may be appropriate?many causes may be appropriate?

Have I incorrectly assumed a causal Have I incorrectly assumed a causal relationship between two events that relationship between two events that immediately follow each other?immediately follow each other?

Did I distinguish between long-term Did I distinguish between long-term and short-term causes and effects. and short-term causes and effects.

A short-term cause or effect is a A short-term cause or effect is a single, immediately identifiable event; single, immediately identifiable event; a long-term cause or effect may be a long-term cause or effect may be less easy to pinpoint but in the long less easy to pinpoint but in the long run more important?run more important?

Did I distinguish between primary Did I distinguish between primary (most important) and secondary (most important) and secondary (ancillary) effects?(ancillary) effects?


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


Cause and Cause and EffectEffect

Degrees of Degrees of CertaintyCertainty

Levels of Levels of ImportanceImportance

as a resultas a result certainlycertainly above allabove all

becausebecause maymay equally importantequally important

consequentlyconsequently necessarilynecessarily finallyfinally

due todue to perhapsperhaps firstfirst

if....thenif....then possiblypossibly initiallyinitially

leads toleads to probablyprobably lastlast

thereforetherefore undoubtedlyundoubtedly primarilyprimarily

thusthus unquestionablyunquestionably secondsecond

Transition WordsTransition Words


Works CitedWorks Cited

Dwyer 6

Works Cited

Coelho, P. The Alchemist. San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1993.

Fitzgerald, F. The Great Gatsby. New York:

Penguin, 1976.

Hemingway, E. The Sun Also Rises. New York:

Harper Collins, 1992.

Lee, H. To Kill A Mockingbird. Philadelphia:

Warner Books, 1960.

Williams, T. The Glass Menagerie. New York: New Directions Books, 1999.

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 General TipsTips

1.1. Always introduce the author (by full Always introduce the author (by full name the first time and by last name the first time and by last name thereafter) and the title of the name thereafter) and the title of the piece of literature near the piece of literature near the beginning of the piece. beginning of the piece.

2.2. When referencing a person after When referencing a person after the first time you may use their last the first time you may use their last name only. NEVER refer to name only. NEVER refer to him/her by his/her first name. him/her by his/her first name.

3.3. Their = possession They’re = Their = possession They’re = they are There = a place they are There = a place

4.4. Avoid saying “in this quote” Avoid saying “in this quote” 5.5. When you indent quotes, drop the When you indent quotes, drop the

quotation marks because they are quotation marks because they are implied implied

6.6. Don’t be redundant (ie. it was fake Don’t be redundant (ie. it was fake & fabricated)& fabricated)


7.7. Don’t repeat exact same lines or Don’t repeat exact same lines or ideas ideas

8.8. Unless there are two novels Unless there are two novels (pieces of literature), after you (pieces of literature), after you introduce the title, do not continue introduce the title, do not continue referring to it by name…say “the referring to it by name…say “the novel” novel”

9.9. Avoid double negatives (ie. “falsely Avoid double negatives (ie. “falsely fabricated” or “she didn’t not like it”) fabricated” or “she didn’t not like it”)

10.10.Don’t say “the society,” just say Don’t say “the society,” just say “society” “society”

11.11.Quotations should support the Quotations should support the topic sentence & thesis. (ie. topic sentence & thesis. (ie. “Gatsby is better than Daisy” – “Gatsby is better than Daisy” – Your quote should be about what Your quote should be about what makes Gatsby good, not about makes Gatsby good, not about what makes Daisy not as good. what makes Daisy not as good.

General TipsGeneral Tips

12.12.End paragraphs with a concluding End paragraphs with a concluding sentence that relates back to the sentence that relates back to the topic sentence/thesis. Then after topic sentence/thesis. Then after the concluding sentence, finish the the concluding sentence, finish the paragraph with a sentence that paragraph with a sentence that links to the next paragraph.links to the next paragraph.

13.13.Use transitional words within you Use transitional words within you paragraphs.paragraphs.

14.14.Transitional words as the first Transitional words as the first word of the sentence is almost word of the sentence is almost always followed by a comma.always followed by a comma.

15.15.Say “quotation” not “quote”Say “quotation” not “quote”16.16.Do not use symbols for words “+” Do not use symbols for words “+”

or “&” for the word “and”or “&” for the word “and”17.17.Do not abbreviate words or use Do not abbreviate words or use

contractions. contractions.

General TipsGeneral Tips18.18.Do not put quotation marks around Do not put quotation marks around

something that is not being cited on something that is not being cited on your works cited page. Use your works cited page. Use italicsitalics if it is necessary to emphasize if it is necessary to emphasize something. something.

19.19.Your title should reflect your Your title should reflect your essay’s thesis. Do not underline essay’s thesis. Do not underline the title of the essay. the title of the essay.

20.20.Always underline the title of the Always underline the title of the literary work (even in the title). literary work (even in the title).

21.21.Do not state the obvious. Do not state the obvious. 22.22.Quotations that are facts should be Quotations that are facts should be

embedded in a sentences, not embedded in a sentences, not recorded as a separate sentence. recorded as a separate sentence.

23.23.There is no such word as There is no such word as “anyways.”“anyways.”


24.24.Do not put your Do not put your supports/arguments directly in the supports/arguments directly in the thesis (they should be in the intro thesis (they should be in the intro paragraph but not in the thesis paragraph but not in the thesis statement). statement).

25.25. Never begin or end a paragraph Never begin or end a paragraph with a quotation. with a quotation.

26.26.Never have two quotations back to Never have two quotations back to back. back.

27.27.Do not switch from past to present Do not switch from past to present tense tense

28.28. Always introduce a quotation:Always introduce a quotation:1.1. Fitzgerald writes, “------------------” Fitzgerald writes, “------------------”

(Fitzgerald 20).(Fitzgerald 20).2.2. Nick explains with great seriousness, Nick explains with great seriousness,

“------------------------” (Fitzgerald 22).“------------------------” (Fitzgerald 22).3.3. Gatsby insists, “---------------------” Gatsby insists, “---------------------”

(Fitzgerald 26). (Fitzgerald 26).

General TipsGeneral Tips

29.29. I can’t say this enough…use transitional I can’t say this enough…use transitional words to create flow in your essay. It will words to create flow in your essay. It will not only help with flow, but with not only help with flow, but with analysis/discussion. If you followed a analysis/discussion. If you followed a sentence with thus, or therefore, you will sentence with thus, or therefore, you will be forced to explain the result of the be forced to explain the result of the argument you have made. argument you have made.

30.30. Do not try to prove plot. (ie. “Tom’s got Do not try to prove plot. (ie. “Tom’s got some woman in the city” is not a good some woman in the city” is not a good support quote because it is strictly fact…support quote because it is strictly fact…what else could you say about it? A what else could you say about it? A quote should add insight and depth.)quote should add insight and depth.)

31.31. Do not use a coverpage. Remember that Do not use a coverpage. Remember that your last name and page number will your last name and page number will begin on page 2 of the essay. begin on page 2 of the essay.

32.32. Remove any improper spacing. Use Remove any improper spacing. Use double spacing and alignment to the left, double spacing and alignment to the left, with 1 inch borders. with 1 inch borders.

33.33. Use only Ariel or TNR, size 12 fontUse only Ariel or TNR, size 12 font

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The Cause-Effect Essay