Cause-Effect Expository Essay

Introduction 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. Effect Signal Words Cause Signal Words consequently, as a result, thus, resulted in, one result is, another is, therefore because, due to, one cause is, another is, since, for, first, second

Block & Chain You can organise a cause/effect essay in two main ways: 1. Block organisation 2. Chain organisation

Block Organisation Cause Effect Effect Effect EffectCauseCauseEffect In block organization, you first discuss all the causes as a block, then, you discuss all the effects together as a block.CauseCause Cause Effect

Example: Your car is out of gas. Your car won't start CauseEffect

Example: Example: effect cause Obesity Eating disorders

Example: Example: Thinking about your family Forgot homework Missed writing exam Received D in Writing Course 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 Cause

Transition 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 essay Introduction Introduce the subject Body Describe the cause and its effects cause effect Conclusion Summary

Chain Organisation In a chain-reaction essay, the reader describes how one event led to another. Conclusion Introduction Cause Effect Cause Effect

The Johnstown Flood

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?