This document provides supplementary materials for students to improve their cause and effect writing skills. It contains information on defining cause and effect, the structure of a cause and effect essay with three body paragraphs, and examples of how to write individual paragraphs. The materials were developed by four authors and an advisor to enhance students' knowledge and practice of cause and effect writing. [/SUMMARY]

1. Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch
Project of
Supplementary Materials For Cause and Effect Writing
Developed by:
Hanieh Bahri ( ms.haniyehbahri@gmail.com )
Sheyda Ashtari ( Sheyda.ashtari97@gmail.com )
Mahsa Shakib ( mahsashahidishakib@gmail.com )
Narges Mohammadi
Advisor :
Forouzan Debashi Sharif ( Ph.D)

2. Topic
Supplementary material for
students to improve their cause
and effect writing
Learning objectives
-Improving knowledge’s students
about cause and effect writing
-Improving writing skills
-Interactive learning
Age 18 and over
Students’ level
Intermediate
Cause and Effect Writing

3. Contents
What is cause and effect? ………………………………. 4
What is cause and effect writing? ……………………… 15
Three main paragraphs in essay ………………………... 16
How can I write a cause and effect paragraphs ………. 24

4. What is cause and effect?
• Cause and effect" is a relationship between events or things,
where one is the result of the other or others. This is a
combination of action and reaction. Something happens (a
cause) that leads to an effect.

5. Cause and effect examples:
• Cause: I never brush my teeth. Effect: I have 5 cavities.
• Cause: I've smoked cigarettes daily for 20 years. Effect: I have lung
cancer.
• Cause: A child eats only junk food and never does anything active.
Effect: The child is obese.

6. Cause and effect examples:
Cause: It was traffic . Effect: He arrived at work late
Cause: He went out in the rainy weather. Effect: He caught a cold.
Cause: He hadn’t done his homework. Effect: His teacher got angry.

7. Cause and effect linking words
• There are three main types of linking words: conjunctions, transitions, and
prepositions.
• Conjunction: because , as , since ( cause) so , (effect)
• Transition: therefore , consequently , as a result ( effect)
• Preposition: due to , because of ( cause , in the form of a noun phrase)

8. Cause and effect linking words:

9. Exercises:

13. • Underline the cause and highlight its effect in each of the following sentences.
• 1. After the dog bit her, we had to take her to the hospital.
• 2. Her computer stopped working due to a virus.
• 3. The police arrested him because he committed a crime.
• 4. She set fire to the curtain first before the whole house burnt down.
• 5. If she gets accepted to university, she will become a doctor.
• Complete the sentence by filling in a cause or an effect as required. Circle what
was needed to complete each sentence: cause or effect
• .1. Melanie did not go to school because __________
_______________.cause/effect
• 2. Due to ________________, Jason was late for work again.cause/effect
• 3. Since Zinzi bought all the chocolate in the shop, Sarah ______
__________.cause/effect
• 4. If _________________, there won’t be enough space in the car.cause/effect

15. What is a Cause and Effect writing?
Cause-and-effect essay structure is a way of exploring relationships
between ideas and events ( between two subjects ).
In this writing, the author shows how one person, thing, idea, or
event directly influences another person, thing, idea, or event.
The purpose of the cause and effect essay is to determine how
various phenomena are related.

16. 3 main paragraphs
in essay
In this essay, the format and its
parts must be taken into account.
It must have:
1. The introduction
2. The body 3 main paragraphs
3. The conclusion
}
• INTRODUCTION------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------
• BODY (Paragraph1)⇒--------------------------------
--------
• Paragraph 2----------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
• Paragraph 3----------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
• C0NCLUSION-----------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------

18. • Introduction: The introduction must have the topic sentence or background
that this is a statement and the purpose.
Some things that you should include in your introduction paragraph :
1. The ideas expressed will go from general to a specific.
2. the first sentence should catch the readers attention and point him in the
direction of the main subject. It could contain a statistic or quote.
3. The thesis statement will be the last sentence in the introduction paragrap.

19. The following text is an example of a introduction paragraph. Read it
and pay attention to the colored parts :
Answer these questions:
-What is the topic?
-What is the thesis statement?

20. ⇒ The
⇒
⇒

21. • Body paragraphs: The body must state the causes or effects (depending on
the given topic instructions) which will be described briefly. A thesis stating
what cause or effect is set first which is needed for a more effective body
paragraphs.
•Conclusion: finally, the conclusion must state the summary of points and the
opinion. The writer can also make a generalization and a suggestion in this
part

22. So far, we have been introduced to the concept of cause and effect
and the main components of a Writing. Now we want to see how we
can write a Cause and Effect Essay.
Read the following paragraph and check its details:
In 2003, two robotic rovers landed on Mars and began sending back data
about the possible existence of water on the red planet. This close
examination of Mars was the result of new and improved technology.
Because of advances in telecommunication systems, scientists on Earth
can send commands faster and receive data in greater amounts. New
software in the rovers led to their increased ability to make independent
decisions and avoid dangers and hazards on their own. As a result of new
technologies for severe environments, the rovers and their interior
computers were able to survive the extreme cold and hot conditions in
space and on Mars. And due to their new improved wheels the twin rovers
could move around the rocky Martian landscape with ease.

23. What is the topic?
What is the Main idea?
What is the Cause?
What is the Effect?
…………………………………………….
Topic: Close examination of Mars
Main idea: This close examination of Mars is the
result of new and improved technology
Cause: New and improved technology
Effect: Close examination of Mars

24. How can I write it?
Writing the cause-effect is not difficult. If one can explain why and
how some of the events happened and what came out as the effect
then organising it is just a piece of cake.
Each Writing is made up of several paragraphs that are about a main
subject. Important points in writing Writing or any other text are
paying attention to the subject or topic of writing and expanding it
properly in the number of appropriate paragraphs.

25. ✦How do I organise my Cause-Effect Essay?
If you want to talk about both
causes and effects, you can
logically connect them together
in a body paragraph.
So, if you have three
causes/three effects, then your
essay might look like this:

26. 1. Choosing a topic:
When choosing a topic, it is important to choose one that
has many possible causes / effects.
✔The Increasing ues of online education ⇒ Good topic because
there’s lots of possible cause and effects we could talk about online
education
✔ Declining birth rates in Japan ⇒ Good topic because what are the
reasons for this, what are the effects of this, what is happening as a
result,… . So we can talk about different possible causes and effects!

27. TASK Choose a topic related to the text and write down a suitable
introduction paragraph.
(Introduction) ......................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................

28. 2. Supporting Details:
After choosing a topic you don’t need to focus on the causes and
effects you will talk about in your essay
A useful way to do this is to make two lists, or use one of the diagrams
below:

29. (Cause of smoking ⇒ )
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………...
(Effect of smoking on self ⇒ Lung damage, heart disease…)
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………
(Effect of smoking on others ⇒ Danger of cigarette smoke for children )
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………..
Task: Read the text below and write supporting paragraphs (body
paragraphs) suitable for introduction :

30. 3. Thesis statement:
A strong thesis statement is key to an effective cause-effect essay, as it
can clearly organize your essay structure. If the focus is both causes
and effects, include both in your thesis.
✅ Many foods we eat today are highly processed, resulting in
obesity and numerous health problems, such as high blood
pressure, high cholesterol and an increased risk of cardiovasular
desease.

31. 4. Use of transitions:
The reader needs to be able to see how you are connecting your ideas.
This helps to an ensure your essay is logical, coherent and cohesive.
Some transitions your might want to include are:

32. 5. To conclude:
When writing your conclusion paragraph, remember to first re-
state (paragraphs) your thesis and summarize the main
*argument.
Then you can then offer a suggestion, an opinion or make a
prediction to complete your essay!
argument: a set of reasons that show that something is true or untrue, right
or wrong etc

33. Task: Read the text below and write a suitable body paragraphs for it.
……………………………………………….……………………………………….
………………………….(Cause )
……………………………………………….……………………………………
……………………………………………….……………………………………
……………………………………………….……………………………………
........................................ ( Effect)
To sum up, it is evident that there are several causes of obes
ity amongst children, and a variety of negative effects. Society must ensure steps are taken to
prevent this problem from deteriorating further. ( Conclusion)

34. Now let's read a Cause and Effect writing
together:

35. Introduction

36. Body
paragraphs P. 1 ⇒
P. 2 ⇒

37. Conclusion

38. Some good sites to learn and practice more
https://custom-writing.org/blog/interesting-cause-and-effect-essay-topics-ideas
Cause and Effect Essay: University of Michigan
Cause & Effect Essay: Excelsior College
Cause and Effect: Mechanism and Explanation: University of Hawaii System
Social Problems: Open.edu
Cause and Effects of Migration: BBC
Causes and Effects of Human Migration: Khan Academy
Right to Education: Humanium