Cause and Effect

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.

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 cause producing 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:

   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 for family and friends

   However, most situations are more complicated.
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.
• Use appropriate transitions. To blend details smoothly in cause and effect essays, use the transitional words and phrases listed below.

For causes

because, due to, on cause is, another is, since, for, first, second

For Effects

consequently, as a result, thus, resulted in, one result is, another is, therefore important when writing your essay, keep the following suggestions in mind:

1. • Remember your purpose. Decide if your are writing to inform or persuade.
   • Focus on immediate and direct causes (or effects.) Limit yourself to causes that are close in time and related, as opposed to remote and indirect causes, which occur later and are related indirectly.
   • Strengthen your essay by using supporting evidence. Define terms, offer facts and statistics, or provide examples, anecdotes, or personal observations that support your ideas.
   • Qualify or limit your statements about cause and effect. Unless there is clear evidence that one event is related to another, qualify your statements with phrases such as "It appears that the cause was" or "It seems likely" or "The evidence may indicate" or "Available evidence suggests."
   To evaluate the effectiveness of a cause and effect essay, ask the following questions:
   What are the causes? What are the effects? Which should be emphasized? Are there single or multiple causes? Single or multiple effects? Is a chain reaction involved?

Choosing the essay topic for cause and effect essay type is not difficult, here are some sample essay topics:

• Effects of Pollution
• The Changes in the Ocean
• The Civil Rights Movement and the Effects
• Causes and Effects of the Popularity of Fast Food Restaurants
• Internet Influence on kids
• Popularity of Sports in US

Please, make sure you choose the essay topic that is really important for you. Choosing the correct essay topic makes your cause and effect essay more interesting and successful.

Comparison Essay

To write a comparison or contrast essay that is easy to follow, first decide what the similarities or differences are by writing lists on scrap paper. Which are more significant, the similarities or the differences? Plan to discuss the less significant first, followed by the more significant. It is much easier to discuss ONLY the similarities or ONLY the differences, but you can also do both.

Then for organizing your essay, choose one of the plans described below whichever best fits your list. Finally, and this is important, what main point (thesis) might you make in the essay about the two people/things being compared? Do not begin writing until you have a point that the similarities or differences you want to use help to prove. Your point should help shape the rest of what you say: For example, if you see that one of your similarities or differences is unrelated to the point, throw it out and think of one that is related. Or revise your point. Be sure this main point is clearly and prominently expressed somewhere in the essay.

Plan A: Use Plan A if you have many small similarities and/or differences. After your introduction, say everything you want to say about the first work or character, and then go on in the second half of the essay to say everything about the second work or character, comparing or contrasting each item in the second with the same item in the first. In this format, all the comparing or contrasting, except for the statement of your main point, which you may want to put in the beginning, goes on in the SECOND HALF of the piece.

Plan B: Use Plan B if you have only a few, larger similarities or differences. After your introduction, in the next paragraph discuss one similarity or difference in BOTH works or characters, and then move on in the next paragraph to the second similarity or difference in both, then the third, and so forth, until you're done. If you are doing both similarities and differences, juggle them on scrap paper so that in each part you put the less important first ("X and Y are both alike in their social positions . . ."), followed by the more important ("but X is much more aware of the dangers of his position than is Y"). In this format, the comparing or contrasting goes on in EACH of the middle parts.

The following outline may be helpful; however, do not be limited by it.

1. Intro. with thesis

1. 1st similarity

1. 1st work

1. 2nd work

1. 2nd similarity

1. 1st work

1. 2nd work

1. 1st difference

1. 1st work

1. 2nd work

1. 2nd difference

1. 1st work

1. 2nd work

• Stages of My Life

• Two Places I have Visited

• My Two Best Friends

• Two Political Candidates

• Microsoft or Apple

• The Two Girls I Like

This should give you an idea and inspiration. Remember, best essays are written on the topics that really interest their writers.

Definition Essay

What is a Definition Essay?

A definition essay is writing that explains what a term means. Some terms have definite, concrete meanings, such as glass, book, or tree. Terms such as honesty, honor, or love are abstract and depend more on a person's point of view.

Three Steps to Effective Definition

1. Tell readers what term is being defined.

1. Present clear and basic information.

1. Use facts, examples, or anecdotes that readers will understand.

Choosing a Definition

Choosing a definition is a key step in writing a definition essay. You need to understand the term before you can define it for others. Read the dictionary, but don't just copy the definition. Explain the term briefly in your own words. Also, it's important to limit your term before you start defining it. For example, you could write forever on the term "love." To limit it, you would write about either "romantic love," "platonic love," or "first love."

Thesis Statement of a Definition Essay

The thesis statement usually identifies the term being defined and provides a brief, basic definition.

(term) (basic definition)

How To Write an Effective Definition

1. Create a definition. There are several ways to define a term. Here are a few options.

• Define by function. Explain what something does or how something works.

• Define by structure. Tell how something is organized or put together.

1. • Define by analysis. Compare the term to other members of its class and then illustrate the differences. These differences are special characteristics that make the term stand out. For example, compare a Siberian husky to other dogs, such as lap dogs, mutts, or sporting dogs.
     (term) (precise definition
   • Define by what the term does not mean. This distinction can sometimes clarify a definition and help a reader to better understand it.
   • Use understandable facts, examples, or anecdotes. Select facts, examples, or anecdotes to fully explain your definition. Ask yourself, "Which examples will best help readers understand the term? What examples would most appeal to my readers? Will a brief story reveal the term's meaning?" Do not use any examples that will not support the definition.

Welcome!!

Welcome to your official blogspot; a space where we discuss and explore the wonders of the English Language. May this blog serve to educate and inspire you to achieve great and miraculous things within your school life.

I look forward to your support as we venture to our new horizons.

Miss E. Francis
English teacher