This document discusses cause and effect and provides examples. It begins by defining cause as why something happens and effect as what happens as a result. Several examples are then given of causes and their effects, such as lack of exercise and overeating causing obesity. The document also notes that sometimes multiple causes can contribute to a single effect, or a single cause can result in multiple effects. Transition words for discussing causes and effects are also provided.

2. To discuss…
◦ why things happen (causes) and
◦ what happens as a result (effects).
 It’s important because…
◦ it’s a common method of organizing and discussing ideas.
◦ most classes, history, biology, journalism, marketing, use
this technique to analyze things.

3. 1. Distinguish between cause and effect.
To determine causes, ask, "Why did this happen?"
To identify effects, ask, "What happened because
of this?"
 Cause
 You are out of gas.
 Effect
 Your car won't start.

4.  For example
1.In some areas, water levels will fall; as a result ,
( cause )
these areas will no longer be able to support
agriculture.
(effect)

5. 2. Most experts are convinced that the greenhouse
( cause )
effect is irreversible; therefore, they advise us to
( effect )
plan now for how best to cope with a changing
world.

6.  Sometimes, many causes contribute to a single
effect or many effects may result from a single
cause.

7.  Hereditary influences
 Lack of exercise
 Slow metabolic rate Obesity
 Overeating

8. Blood sugar imbalances
Excessive Tooth decay
consumption of Hyperactivity in children
Sugar Weight gain

9.  However, most situations are more
complicated. The following is an example of a
chain reaction:
 Thinking about friend…forgot to buy
gas…car wouldn't start…missed math
exam…failed math course.

10.  Listing Causes
 Listing Effects
 Organizer

11. 2. Develop your thesis statement. State clearly
whether you are discussing causes, effects, or
both. Introduce your main idea, using the
terms "cause" and/or "effect."

12. 3. Find and organize supporting details.
Back up your thesis with relevant and sufficient
details that are organized. You can organize
details in the following ways:
◦ Chronological: Details are arranged in the order in
which the events occurred.
◦ Order of importance: Details are arranged from least
to most important or vice versa.
◦ Categorical: Details are arranged by dividing the topic
into parts or categories.

13. Cause
for
because
since
due to
one cause is
another is,
first, second,
in view of,
result in, contribute to,
cause, affect, influence
lead to
Effect
so
but
for this reason
as a result
consequently
otherwise
therefore
thus
because of this,
hence
resulted in,
one result is, another is,
*Transition words/phrases
*Verbs

14. Useful sentence patterns for cause:
 There are several reasons why / for…
 The reasons / causes for…are…
 The reasons why…are as follows.
 …is caused by / due to / because of…
Useful sentence patterns for effect:
 The result / effect consequence of…is…
 …will result in…
 Therefore, …
 As a result (of…), …

15.  Introduction (1 or 2 sentences)
The background introduces the audience
to your topic, while the thesis statement
indicates which points you will discuss in
your essay.

16. Background information
Gets reader’s attention using one or more
of the following:
 Anecdotes
 Quotations
 Questions
 Facts and statistics
 Ex 1: In one of my college classes this
semester, we were required to do an act of
kindness for the elderly.
 Ex 2: In Western countries, the elderly are often
living alone or sent to a nursing home.

17. Thesis Statement = Topic sentence
 States the subject and focus of the
paragraph/essay
A good thesis statement:
- Identifies the subject of the essay.
- States the purpose of the essay.
- Tells the focus of the subject.
Ex: An act of kindness for the elderly can result in
new friendships, less loneliness, and the possible
discovery of a career path.

18.  Body: (6 sentences)
 1) List your points or statements.
 2) List your supporting details (statistics,
facts, anecdotes, or your personal
observations)
 3) develop your 3 points in sentences.

19. Conclusion (1 or 2 sentences)
 Summarize all that you have said before in
your concluding sentence.
 Asks a question or
 Suggests a solution or
 Makes a recommendation or
 Makes a prediction

21. Headaches
Headaches can have several causes. One obvious cause is
stress. People have hectic lives and frequently have multiple
stressors everyday, like work, family and money. Another reason
for headaches in some people has to do with diet. Some get
headaches because they are dependent on caffeine. Other people
may be allergic to salt, or they may have low blood sugar. The
environment can also cause this uncomfortable condition.
Allergens such as household chemicals including
polishes, waxes, bug killers, and paint can lead to headaches.
Lowering stress, controlling your diet and avoiding allergens can
help avoid headaches.

22. Advertising
Advertisements are one of the most frustrating parts of watching
television. The reasons for this are as follows. In the first
place, owing to the frequent advertisements, much time is wasted.
In the second place, the advertisements interrupt the viewers, which
leads to the viewers losing their appetite for the good show. In the
third place, they make people under constant economic pressure
because the ads make many products look more attractive than they
really are. Since ads could not disappear from TV screen, the
television viewers must be aware and critical of the advertisements
in order to endure them.