This document discusses cause and effect essays. It explains that a cause and effect essay aims to understand how events are related and how outcomes come about. The essay should have a clear thesis statement that identifies the specific causes and effects that will be discussed and the author's position. The essay should be organized logically, avoiding logical fallacies. Transitional phrases are used to distinguish between causes and effects. Sample thesis statements and outlines for essays with multiple causes and multiple effects are provided.

1. The Cause and Effect Essay English 101 Modified by Deanna Dixon

2. Why Write a Cause-Effect Essay 1. To understand the relationship of events that brought about an outcome (Cause) 2. To understand the results that come out of an event (Effect) 3. To understand the chain of causes and effects between some events (Causal Chain)

3. Planning a Cause and Effect Essay Planning a Cause and Effect Essay Purpose and Thesis: Be sure to identify the relationships among the specific causes and effect you will discuss. Thesis statement should tell the reader The points you plan to consider (WHAT) Whether you will emphasize causes, effects, or both. (HOW) The position you will take (WHY)

5. Introduce the subject and explain the situation.

6. Give any background material necessary.

8. Ex. Combustion is necessary to drive a gasoline engine.

9. Sufficient Cause -one that can produce an effect unaided, though there may be more than one sufficient cause of a given effect.

10. Ex. A dead battery is enough to keep a car from starting--but faulty spark plugs or an empty gas tank will have the same effect.

11. Contributory Cause- one that helps to produce an effect but cannot do so by itself.

12. Ex. Running a red light might help to cause an accident....though other facts -- pedestrians or other cars in the intersection -- must also be present.Information taken from:http://www.howard.k12.md.us/mth/english_dept/adv-comp/eng_effect.html

13. Immediate Effect: an effect that occurs closely following, in time or space, its cause. Ex: Children having bad study habits will lead to them making poor grades in elementary school. Remote Effect: an effect that is far away in time or space from its corresponding cause. Ex: Children having bad study habits could eventually lead to them making less money and being less happy with their careers.

15. Chronological (causal chains)

16. Main cause first, and then contributory causes

17. Contributory causes first, and then main cause.

18. First dismiss events that are not causes, and then discuss actual causes for an effect.

19. Negative effects first, then positive

22. Ask “So what?” What conclusion or point can be drawn or made from the points presented?

25. Cause-->Multiple Effects Thesis statement: Watching too much TV is one of the major sociological issues of this century, which has many adverse effects on the physiology and psychology of children. I. eating disorders A. TV meals B. obesity II. communication problems A. more violence B. no interpersonal talk III. educational issues A. stifles imagination B. takes away time from reading and studying Information taken from:http://www.howard.k12.md.us/mth/english_dept/adv-comp/eng_effect.html

26. Causal chain / Domino Thesis statement: Children who do not develop good study habits while they are young will struggle throughout their education and will find it more difficult to become successful in their careers, thus emphasizing the importance of parents taking an active role in their children’s education. I.Children who are not encouraged by their parents to practice reading and writing outside of school will get behind other students at their age levels. II.Once children feel they are behind their classmates, they will become discouraged and will find little positive reinforcement in a school environment. III.Without the motivation, children will give up more easily, especially once they reach high school IV.Students who do not graduate high school, on average, earn less money and have a more difficult time returning to school later in life.