Operating Definitions and Guidelines for Writing - Methods of Development
Cause and Effect

1. What is cause and effect?
The method of development in which the writer analyses the reason(s) for an action, event, or decision, or analyses resulting consequences to support a point.

2. Why do writers use cause and effect? To

  • Discover order in a reality that is apparent chaos
  • Inform
  • Speculate
  • Change behavior.

3. What types of transitions does a writer use with cause and effect writing?
Because one event directly and sequentially influences another, sometimes the information is organized in time order. However, such a relationship may be an illusion, so rigorous scrutiny is necessary to confirm that the timing really was a contributing factor.

Most of the time, cause and effect information is organized using order of importance.

4. How can readers and writers recognize cause and effect when they see it?

a. Look for the status or composition of an object or situation to change as a result of something else. Indicator words are these and their various forms:

as a result
because of
the reason for
consequence
decrease

influence
change
why
cause
effect

b. Ask whether there is a cause or effect which dominates.

c. Look for the structure. Possibilities:
    • The cause(s) comes first, then the effect(s).
    • The effect(s) comes first, then the cause(s).
    • The writer traces a complex causal chain.

5. How does one write a cause and effect essay?

a. Choose a manageable subject that yields information needed by a specific group of people.

b. Decide on the thesis and state it in one of the prescribed patterns below.

c. Compose the examples and organize them with transitions to support each point.

d. Check drafts for oversimplifications and other errors in logic.

e. Strike a balanced tone: neither overstate nor understate the position.

6. How do the thesis patterns for cause and effect go?

  • {Effect} happens as a result of {Cause}.
  • {Effect} (verb) {Cause A, Cause B, and Cause C}.
  • {Cause} brings about {Effect}.
  • {Cause} (verb) {Effect A, Effect B, and Effect C}.

7. How can one practice recognizing cause and effect thinking?
In outside reading (not English or reading textbooks), look for examples of cause and effect paragraphs or essays and make note of the elements. Look also for examples in film.

An Example and Outline for Cause and Effect Writing

In what area of your life do you see a cause and effect relationship making a difference? What does a reader gain from looking at this with you? If you’re assigned a cause and effect essay, make sure there is a valid purpose for making the analysis, then outline the content as follows:

I. Introduction that uses a college level strategy, tells how the subject came up, states the thesis, and names the audience who can benefit from knowing the information.

II. Body (also depends on the choice of thesis above)

A. Cause(s) (or effect[s])

B. Effect(s) (or cause[s])

III. Conclusion

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Exemplification (Illustration) | Narration | Description | Process

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