Cause and Effect

English INCVPS

What are cause and effect?

Cause is the reason for an action or event.

Effect is the result of what happened.

In other words, cause is the why something happens, and effect is the what that has occurred as a result.

Connecting Words

“Connecting words” can sometimes help us to better see the cause of something and its effect.

Here’s a list of some common connecting words:

because, consequently, therefore, since,

as a result, so, thus, nevertheless, however

Let’s look at a few examples of cause and effect.

CAUSE The little boy played

hard all day without a nap.

Mom was in the kitchen cooking all afternoon.

Nancy studied all weekend for her math test.

EFFECT The little boy went to

bed early.

The family enjoyed a delicious meal for dinner.

Nancy earned an A on the test.

Now let’s try applying a connecting word.

CAUSE The little boy played

hard all day without a nap.

Mom was in the kitchen cooking all afternoon.

Nancy studied all weekend for her math test.

EFFECT therefore, the little boy

went to bed early.

thus, the family enjoyed a delicious meal for dinner.

as a result, Nancy earned an A on the test.

Let’s look at a few more.

CAUSE The young girl gave her little

brother all her rubber snakes.

The children played all afternoon in the creek.

Cooper asked to have hotdogs for his birthday dinner.

EFFECT He played with them all the

time.

They were soaking wet when they got home.

It is his favorite meal.

Let’s try it again with a connecting word.

CAUSE The young girl gave her little

brother all her rubber snakes.

The children played all afternoon in the creek.

Cooper asked to have hotdogs for his birthday dinner.

EFFECT because he played with

them all the time.

consequently, they were soaking wet when they got home.

since it is his favorite meal.

Let’s apply cause and effect to some short stories you’ve

already read.

“The Most Dangerous Game”

CAUSE: At the end of the story, Rainsford must duel Zaroff if he has any hope of surviving.

EFFECT: Rainsford defeats Zaroff and lives; in fact, he gets to sleep in Zaroff’s wonderfully comfortable bed!

“The Gift of the Magi”

CAUSE: In order to buy each other a Christmas present, Della and Jim must each first sell their own prized possession.

EFFECT: As a result of such selfless acts, Della and Jim realize how much they truly love one another, and that love is more valuable than any object ever could be.

“The Interlopers”

CAUSE: Georg and Ulrich, bitter and feuding enemies, lay trapped under a tree and cannot move.

EFFECT: Because of this, they finally talk and get to know each other. They each discover that their supposed ‘enemy’ is actually a good man. (unfortunately for them, the story has a bit of a tragic ending, doesn’t it?!)

Now it’s your turn!

Ok, we’ve looked at lots of different examples of the relationship between cause and effect. Now it’s your turn to apply what you know.

After this, you’ll go back to the course and take a brief quiz that will test your knowledge, so if you need to, review this power point, and make sure you take notes. You can use them on the quiz!