1. Cause & Effect Reasoning: Analyzing Why Events Happened
___________:
Caused, Led to, Forced, Because, Resulted in, Reason for
Elements:
___________
___________—explanation of relationship between cause & effect

2. Cause & Effect Reasoning: Analyzing Why Events Happened
Ex. Seniors are disrespectful, lazy and irresponsible because they feel they are no longer connected to the high school community.
Key Word(s):
Cause(s):
Effect(s):
Connectors:

3. CE Reasoning: Diagramming
“Boxes & Arrows”
EVENT
CAUSAL CONNECTION
Ex. I missed the bus so I was late for school.
I missed the bus.
I was late for school
TIP: Only 1 Idea per Box

4. CE Reasoning: 3 Basic Types
Identifying Type of CE Reasoning Helps:
Begin Diagram
Determine which evaluation questions to apply
___________—Point of argument is to explain the causes of some event.
___________—Point of argument is to explain the effects of some event.
(3) ___________—Point of argument is to explain the relationship between a cause & an effect.

5. CE Reasoning: 3 Basic Types
CAUSES—Point of argument is to explain the causes of some event.
--___________________________________________.
Ex. There were three reasons for the failure of the Red Sox to advance in the 2008 playoffs. First, their starting pitching was inconsistent. Second, their relief pitching was consistently bad. And third, their big offensive players didn’t produce.
Inconsistent Starting Pitching
Red Sox fail to Advance in 2008 Playoffs
Consistently Bad Relief Pitching
Big Offensive Players Unproductive

6. CE Reasoning: 3 Basic Types
EFFECTS—Point of argument is to explain the effects of some event.
--___________________________________________.
Ex. There were two important effects of the failure of the Red Sox to advance in the 2008 playoffs. First, Boston fans quickly shifted their attention to the Pats. And, second, Yankees fans quietly sighed in relief.
Boston sports fans shift attention to Pats
Red Sox fail to Advance in 2008 Playoffs
Yankees fans sigh in relief

7. CE Reasoning: 3 Basic Types
(3) RELATIONSHIP—Point of argument is to explain the relationship between a cause & an effect.
--______________________________________________
Ex. Unemployment is a major contributor to economic contraction. Unemployment decreases household income. This, in turn, reduces consumption. Decreased consumption creates downward pressure on prices which cuts business profits. With profits reduced, businesses cut production or fail. This, inevitably, means less production thus a contraction. Also, business failure creates a vicious cycle as workers are laid off.
Unemployment
Businesses cut back or fail
↓Production
↓ Consumption
↓ Household Income
Economic Contraction
↓Prices
↓Profits

8. CE Reasoning Evaluation
Two Characteristics of Good Cause & Effect Reasoning
______________________ between stated Causes & Effects
In diagram = ______________________
_________________ Causes/Effects

9. CE Reasoning Evaluation (cont.) Generalized Evaluation Questions
To Analyze CE Reasoning, ask & answer the 2 following questions
_____________________________________________________________?

10. CE Reasoning Evaluation (cont.)
____________ the CE argument
_______________________ using information from the CE argument
________________________ adding in missing information

11. CE Reasoning Analysis (cont.) Argument Diagramming (step 1)
EX. Mr. Sunderland was late to work because Beverly Public Schools had a 2-hour delay
Beverly Public Schools had a 2-hour delay
Mr. Sunderland was late to work

12. CE Reasoning Evaluation (cont.) Question Asking (step 2)
For good evaluation, CONTEXTUALIZE the Evaluation Questions.
EX. Mr. Sunderland was late to work because Beverly Public Schools had a 2-hour delay
__________________________________________________________________________________________

13. CE Reasoning Evaluation (cont.) Which Is Better & Why?
Mr. Sunderland was late to work because Beverly Public Schools had a 2-hour delay
Mr. Sunderland was late to work because Beverly Public Schools had a 2-hour delay. Mr. Sunderland’s children attend Beverly Public Schools and therefore couldn’t go to school until 9:30a. Therefore, Mr. Sunderland had to wait to take them to school.

14. CE Reasoning Evaluation (cont.) Which Is Better & Why?
Mr. Sunderland was late to work because Beverly Public Schools had a 2-hour delay. Mr. Sunderland’s children attend Beverly Public Schools. Mr. Sunderland’s wife couldn’t bring the children to school late b/c she had an important morning meeting at her work that she couldn’t miss. Therefore, Mr. Sunderland had to bring his children to school.
Mr. Sunderland was late to work because Beverly Public Schools had a 2-hour delay. Mr. Sunderland’s children attend Beverly Public Schools and therefore couldn’t go to school until 9:30a. Therefore, Mr. Sunderland had to wait to take them to school.