Chapter 12: Cause and Effect

CHAPTER 12: CAUSE AND EFFECT

This chapter helps you to write a cause and effect essay. Your goal is to analyze and explain the causes and effects of some phenomenon like a fact, occurrence, or circumstance.

Keys for success:

· Know your reader

· Think logically by researching your topic, drafting a working thesis, and explaining the connection

· Test your thinking

Topics to consider:

· family life

· politics

· society

· environment

· workplace

Guidelines for writing a cause and effect essay are:

1. Select a topic

2. Narrow and research the topic. Write your topic and brainstorm. List the causes and effects. Do preliminary research and revise your topic to only primary causes and effects to a specific phenomenon.

3. Draft and test your thesis. Draft a working thesis, introduce topic, with causes and effects, and limit your argument to only what you can prove.

4. Gather and analyze information. Research your topic, look for clear evidence, and avoid coincidence arguments.

5. Get organized. Make an outline that has your thesis and argument in a clear pattern.

6. Use your outline to draft the essay. Explain how each specific cause has a specific effect. Use transitional words.

7. Revise essay. Checklist:

· Thesis clearly stated

· Major causes and effects are addressed

· Statements are limited and focused

· Supporting details are researched, relevant and strong.

· Clear and logical links between cause and effect

· Conclusion restates main argument and unifies the essay

8. Get feedback. Have a peer review check for an engaging opening, clear and logical thesis, clear and convincing reasoning, and the closing wraps up the argument and leaves no loose ends.

9. Edit the essay. Check for appropriate word choice, complete sentences, clear transitions, correct names, dates, and supporting details, and correct mechanics, usage, and grammar.

10. Publish essay.