1. ENGLISH 1302 MRS. AGUILAR Causal Essay

2. “Every action has an opposite and equal reaction.” –Newton’s Third Law

3. Definition Cause—explains why something happened Effect—explains the consequences of a particular event As a writer, your job is to show how one thing leads to another. You can demonstrate multiple causes resulting in one event. You can also demonstrate the consequences of one event. Ex.—You could write about the causes of World War I, or you could write about the effects of World War I. Each paper would be completely different from the other.

4. Kinds of Causal Arguments Speculations about possible causes. Ex. Causes of Columbine. Some people argue that it is the availability of guns. Others say that it is the breakdown of the American family. The purpose of this type of analysis is to define a particular problem, then create policies that lead to solutions.

5. Types of Arguments (Cont.) Arguments for an unexpected or surprising cause. This asks your reader to consider something different as the root cause of a problem. Ex. Columnist John Leo wanted readers to consider the role of video games in the Columbine shooting.

6. Types of Arguments (c0nt.) Predictions of consequences of current, planned, or proposed actions or events. These require the writer to predict the consequences of a proposed action. Ex. Proposing that several dams on the Snake River be eliminated in order to save salmon runs.

7. Causal Chains A series of events each of which was caused by the immediately previous event. A causes B, B causes C, C causes D, etc.

8. Video Violence Contributed to Columbine Many young children are left alone for long periods of time (due to both parents working) They play violent video games Their feelings of resentment and powerlessness are fed into their killing games The video games break down a natural aversion to killing, comparable to psychological techniques employed by the military Realistic touches in video games blur the boundary between fantasy and reality Children begin identifying with sociopaths who get their thrills killing ordinary people. Young and at-risk kids act out the random violence from the video game in real life situations.

9. Breaching of several Dams on Snake River Predicted Consequences : Increased salmon runs Restoration of ecosystem—increased natural balance Increased opportunities for recreational fishing, which will bring in tourist dollars Loss of hydropower generated by dams Loss of several thousand jobs associated with operation of the dams and with river navigation system Transference of shipping from barges (low environmental impact) to overland trucks and trains (high environmental impact)

10. Writing the Paper Step One: Choose a topic that interests you. Step Two: Write your research question. Step Three: Conduct your research. Step Four: Write your thesis statement, then write your paper just as you have in the past.

11. Ways to Organize Information Organize your information in chronological order (Event A happened, which led to Event B, which led to Event C). Organize in emphatic order—save your most influential/important issue for the end of your essay.