1. SUBORDINATORS, PREPOSITIONAL
PHRASES, AND TRANSITIONS
• Certain words act as signals in
sentences to show cause and effect
relationships.

2. • Sentences in cause and effect essays
have two clauses.
Because it was raining, I stayed at home.
• The cause clause explains why
something happened.
Because it was raining, …

3. • The effect clause explains the result
of what happened.
I stayed at home.
Source: http://xxlondoncatxx.deviantart.com/art/It-s-always-raining-in-London-183089322

4. • The cause clause is introduced by
because, since, as and so.
(subordinators)
Because it was raining, I stayed at
home.
Since high level positions are at times
rather stressful, professionals can
sometimes be extremely impatient.

5. Professionals can sometimes be
extremely impatient, since high level
positions are at times rather stressful.

6. • The effect is introduced by words such
as consequently, as a result, for
this reason, therefore, and thus.
(transitions)
It was raining; therefore, I stayed
home.
High level positions are at times rather
stressful. Consequently, professionals
can sometimes be extremely impatient.

7. • You can also use prepositional
phrases.
Because of the rain, I stayed home.
Due to the stressful nature of high
level positions, professionals can
sometimes be extremely impatient.

8. Remember:
• A cause and effect essay discusses
the causes (reasons) for something,
the effects (results), or both causes
and effects.

9. THANK YOU!