TheCause-Effect_Essay US University Course.pptVIP

The Cause-Effect Essay St. Robert Catholic High School The Cause/Effect Essay The cause/effect essay explains why or how some event happened, and what resulted from the event. This essay is a study of the relationship between two or more events or experiences. The essay could discuss both causes and effects, or it could simply address one or the other. A cause essay usually discusses the reasons why something happened. An effect essay discusses what happens after a specific event or circumstance. Cause-and-effect writing gives reasons and explanations for events, conditions, or behavior. It answers the need most of us have to understand the world around us. When planning a cause-and-effect essay, begin by listing the event or condition you want to address. Then brainstorm to generate ideas about either its causes or its effects. Think carefully about the causes and effects you have listed. As part of prewriting you may find it helpful to diagram or demonstrate these relationships graphically. Check to be sure you have not drawn any faulty conclusions. Your conclusions are faulty if the cause-and-effect relationship does not exist or if it is unreasonable or not clearly established. Ask yourself :Have I assumed a cause-effect relationship when there is none? Causal Relation: Necessary Cause - one that must be present for the effect to occur. Ex. Combustion is necessary to drive a gasoline engine. Sufficient Cause - one that can produce an effect unaided, though there may be more than one sufficient cause of a given effect. Ex. A dead battery is enough to keep a car from starting--but faulty spark plugs or an empty gas tank will have the same effect. Contributory Cause - one that helps to produce an effect but cannot do so by itself. Ex. Running a red light might help to cause an accidentthough other facts -- pedestrians or other cars in the intersection -- must also be present. Multiple Causes--Effect In this pattern, the organization is as fol