8h Cause and Effect Order ‘Another common method of organizing an essay is by cause and effect. In a cause and effect essay, you discuss the reasons or causes for something, and then you discuss the results The following are examples of typical cause and effect essay examination questions. Sociology: Discuss the causes ofthe rising divorce rate in modern sociey. Environmental Studies: Discuss the causes of global warming Business and Economics: Discuss NAFTA and its effects on the US. economy. History: Discuss the reasons behind the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. Psychology: Explain the high suicide rate in Scandinavia. Indeed, cause and effect (which can also be called reason and result) is one of the ‘most-used forms of organization in academic writing. In this section, you will learn about two different ways to write about causes and effects. Organization ‘There are basically two main ways to organize a cause and effect essay: “block” orga- ‘for Cause and nization and “chain” organization. In block organization, you fist discuss all of the ‘Effect Order causes as a block (in one, two, three, or more paragraphs, depending on the number of causes). Then you discuss all of the effects together as a block. In chain organiza- tion, you discuss a first cause and its effect, a second cause and its effect, and a third cause and its effect. Usually, each new cause is the result of the preceding effect. Discussion of each new cause and its effect begins with a new paragraph. All the para- graphs are linked in a “chain.” : BLOCK CHAIN Introduction Introduction Ist Cause Ind Cause Effect ‘Transition Paragraph : 2nd Cause fect 3rd Cause Effect Conclusion CAUSE STRUCTURE WORDS to result from to be the result of due to because of 5. the effect of the consequence of 6, asa result of as a consequence of 46Y 3. Ten yéars later a law limiting government assistance to immigrants resulted fromiwas the result of some people's concern about the cost of immigrants to taxpayers. 4, ‘The United Seates has always welcomed people who leave their homeland because offdue to war or political persecution? 55. Not only legal but also legal immigrants felt the effects offconsequences of the 1996 law. 6. Asa result offAs a consequence of the 19% law, legal immigrants who had not become US. citizens were no longer eligible for certain benefits. EFFECT STRUCTURE WORDS .TENCE CONNECTOR: = Ctause Connectors ee ‘Cooroinarors ‘SuBoRoiNat ES a 1. as a result 2. s0 3. to result in a5 a consequence to cause therefore 4, to have an effect on hus to affect consequently 5. the cause of hence the reason for Recognizing Cause Sructre Words Examples 1. The 1996 law eliminated many benefits for legal immigrants who had not become citizens; as a resultlas a consequencelthereforelthusiconsequently/hence, most of them applied for citizenship. Welfare assistance for immigrants was restricted, so even legal immigrants who were poor and needy could not receive aid. ‘The new law resulted in/caused an immedi citizenship. 4, The new law also had an effect onlaffected students and businesspeople with visas who ‘overstayed their visa time limit, 5s Overstaying a visa became a cause ofla reason for being barred’ from the United States for three or more years. increase in the number of applications for STEP 1 Underline the part of the sentence that states a cause. STEP 2 Circle the word or words that introduce the cause. STEP 3 Beable to discuss the use of each structure word or phrase that you have cir- cled. What kind of grammatical structure follows each one? Notice especial- ly the difference between the use of because and because of. 3 persecution: bad treatment because of race, religion, or politics “barred: prohibited from enteringExample “The computer is a learning tool it helps children to master math and language skills 1, Due to the ability of computers to keep records of sales and inventory, many big department stores rely on them. 2, A medical computer system is an aid to physicians because of its ability to interpret data from a patient's history and provide a diagnosis.' (How would you rewrite this sentence using because instead of because of?) 5. War, famine, and ethnic violence have caused a flood of refugees in the past fifty years. 4. Hollywood movies are known for their special effects because American audiences seem to demand them. 5. Since Buropean audiences seem to prefer movies that explore psychological or philosophical issues, European movies are generally quieter and more thought- provoking. 6, Smog results from chemical air pollutants being trapped under a layer of warm air. 7, The patient's death was the result of the doctor's negligence.? 8, Little is known about life on the ocean floor, for scientists have only recently developed the technology to explore it. 9 One effect of prolonged weightlessness is the loss of muscle tone,’ which can be a problem for astronauts who spend long periods of time in space. EXXXGEURERM STEP 1 Underline the part of the sentence that states an effect. Recgncing fet STEP 2 Circle the word or words that introduce the effect. ee STEP 3_ Be able to discuss the use ofeach structure word or phrase. What kind of gram- eS ‘matical structure follows each one? How is the sentence punctuated? 1. The performance of electric cars is inferior to the performance of cars with . conventional internal combustion engines; consequently, some improvements must be made in them if they are to become popular. 2. However, electric cars are reliable, economical, and nonpolluting; therefore, the government is spending millions of dollars to improve thelr technology. 3. Blectrio cars use relatively inexpensive electricity for power; thus, they oost Jess to operate than cars that use gasoline. 4. The cost of gasoline is rising; as a result, some automobile manufacturers have ‘begun to produce electric models. 5. His refusal to attend classes resulted in his dismissal from the school. 6. The cause of the patient's death was the doctor's negligence. 7. Tt has been documented that heavy cigarette smoking affects the heart as well as the lungs. : 8. Cold water is denser than warm water and will, therefore, sink. 8. Fresh water is less dense than salt water, go-it tends to float on the surface of @ body of salt water. } diagnosis: identification ofa disease or iiness 2 negligence: carelessness * muscle tone: healthy elastic quality