Explaining Causes and Effects

causes

• Answers to "Why?"
• Explains reasons why things are the way they are

EffectS

• Explain the results of what happened
• Similar to reasons or stimuli
• Similar to results or consequences

Cause=Why?
Effect=What?

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy (the immediate cause) bludgeoned New York City and its environs with its winds and sea surge, destroying thousands of homes and businesses and more than 200,000 vehicles (the immediate effect).

For example

• a remote cause of the devastation left by Hurricane Sandy in New York and most of the Eastern Seaboard is the rising sea levels brought about by climate change.
• the remote effects of the damage have yet to be seen, but they will include higher taxes brought about by the expense of clean up

Prewriting Techniques

• helpful to begin by listing them
• process of listing often uncovers several more cause and effects

A sample list created for an analysis of the causes and effects of obesity

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Decide on your main idea

• listing potential causes and effects
• determine your audience and purpose
• will include one or more of the causes or effects

For Example, the Main Idea

• for causes of obesity could be, "The primary cause of obesity is genetic"
• for identifying the effects of obesity could be, "Coronary heart disease is the primary effect of obesity"

For example,

• the main idea stated in the topic sentence is that genetic factors are the most important determinants of obesity
• Topic Sentence: Genetic factors play the most important role in determining whether or not a person becomes overweight or obese.

support this claim convincingly

• you must identify and explain more than one genetic factor
• two factors would be the minimum number needed for adequate support
• four or more factors would probably result in an unwieldy paragraph

Supporting Points

Point 1: Genes govern the rate of our metabolism, which regulates the body’s ability and need to store body fat; increased levels of body fat result in weight gain.

Point 2: Genetic mutations could cause some individuals to overeat; overeating leads to weight gain.

Point 3: Variations in genes could also predispose some people to avoid exercise; lack of exercise slows the metabolism and causes weight gain.

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transitional words or phrases

• tighten the connections between causes and effects, sentences, and paragraphs
• strengthens the cohesiveness of your argument and the readability of your paper

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Choose an Organizational Strategy

• is an important early step in preparing to write an outline and first draft
• is to decide on the most effective way to organize their ideas and evidence

Connections between causes and effects that are developed in an essay or oral argument are called a...
Causal Chain

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