Essay

Cause and Effect Essay
Marcela

What is a cause and effect essay?

Cause and effect essays are concerned with why things happen (causes) and what happens as a result (effects). Cause and effect is a common method of organizing and discussing ideas.
Definition:
In this kind of essay, the aim is to explain the causes (reasons) or the effects (results) of an event or situation.
    e.g.Causes of air pollution (multiple factors leading to air pollution).
    e.g. Effects of watching too much TV (many effects of a situation).

Follow these steps when writing a cause and effect essay

1. Distinguish between cause and effect. To determine causes, ask, "Why did this happen?" To identify effects, ask, "What happened because of this?" The following is an example of one causeproducing one effect:

Cause
You are out of gas.

Effect
Your car won't start.

Sometimes, many causes contribute to a single effect or many effects may result from a single cause. (Your instructor will specify which cause/effect method to use.) The following are examples:
Aquí digo que esto lo explica Caro más adelante, para no repetirlo……………..Causes
liked business in high school

salaries in the field are high

have an aunt who is an accountant

am good with numbers

Effect
choose to major in accounting

Cause
reduce work hours

Effects
less income

employer is irritated

more time to study

more time forfamily and friends

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.
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."

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.

Carolina

Organization:
Depending on the topic, there may be three patterns of organization:
1. Multiple causes-->effect
In this pattern, the organization is as follows:
 
thesis statement: Air pollution is caused by the following factors: exhaust gases from cars, uncontrolled factory releases,and burning of low-quality coal for heating.
I. exhaust gases from cars
    A. government does not have enough control
    B. citizens are not conscientious
II. uncontrolled factory gases
    A. no regular checks on gases released
    B. factories are inside the borders of residential areas
III. burning of low-quality coal for heating
    A. no governmental control
    B. other forms ofenergy too expensive
 
Each developmental paragraph is devoted to one of the causes of air pollution. Each cause is supported by two minor supports. While writing, these major and minor ideas should be adequately explained and exemplified as well.
 
2. Cause-->Multiple effects
In this pattern, the effects of a certain situation  are explained in separate paragraphs, with the followingorganization:
 
thesis statement: Watching too much TV is one of the major sociological issues of this century, which has many effects on the physiology and psychology of people.
I. eating disorders
    A. TV meals
    B. obesity
II. communication problems
    A. more violence
    B. no interpersonal talk
   
Again, we have grouped related effects under two main points: physiological and...