aka Cause and Effect Essays CAUSAL ESSAYS Causal

aka Cause and Effect Essays CAUSAL ESSAYS

Causal Argument � Try to show one event brings about another. � Can become problematic, especially when trying to explain human behavior � Does something “force” someone to give up his/her freewill? � Causal arguments can be used to predict consequences

Causes � Main causes � Contributory causes—less important � Main causes may not come to light until AFTER an event is analyzed (ex. of roof collapse due to snow) � Know whether something is immediate or remote

Causal Chain A causes B, B causes C, C causes D (etc. ) EX of Causal Chain to show decline of salmon runs � Smolts [baby salmon] use the river to reach the ocean � Dams restrict the flow of the river � Before the dam, smolts made it to the ocean in 6 -20 days; now it is 60 -90 days � Smolts must make it to the ocean due to physiological changes � Lengthened migration time kills the smolts � �

Organizing Your Paper

Introduction Clearly define the event you are analyzing � Ex. If you are writing about causes of World War II, then clearly define World War II. � If you are writing about the effects of social media on the family, then clearly define both social media and the state of the family. Your thesis statement will list a causal relationship between these two things. �

Intro. Con’t and Thesis Statement � Make sure your introduction clearly defines the event. � Your thesis statement should be your last sentence of the introduction. � The thesis statement should define the causal relationship about the event.

Body Paragraphs � Remember, causes and effects are completely different. Make sure you write about them in the proper place. � Ex. The causes of WWII are completely different than the effects of WWII.

Sample Layout--Causes Introdcution/Thesis Cause 1 (Topic Sentence) Proof (research—needs citations! It can be several sentences with many citations) � Draw your conclusions— “This shows…” This proves…” � Concluding sentence � Cause 2 (Topic Sentence) � Proof � Conclusions � � �

Layout Continued � Cause 3 (Topic Sentence) � Proof (research) � Conclusions

Sample Layout--Effects � Introduction—define � Thesis event statement � Effect 1—topic sentence � Proof—(research with citations!) � Conclusions—(This shows, this proves, etc. Avoid “I” or “you” in these sentences. � Concluding sentence

Layout—cont. � Effect 2—(Topic sentence) � Proof (research) � Conclusions � Effect 3—(Topic sentence) � Proof—(research) � Conclusions

Conclusions � � � Your conclusion needs to restate your thesis in different words. Then, you need to state the significance of this research/paper/event. Ex. “The lessons to be learned from _____ (stated event) are numerous: (list them). “The importance of looking at the causes/ effects of ______event is _____ Give a concluding statement that sums up your argument. Avoid “you” or “I think”.

You may……. � Write about both causes and effects

Reminders

Works Cited � Double spaced � Hanging indent � No extra spaces between entries � Included as the last page of your paper

Writing � Do not use “you” or “I” � Proofread and correct your errors! � Write a long enough conclusion. � Suggestion: after you write your paper, go back and add two-three sentences to your intro.

Citations � Make sure they follow the correct format! � This sentence “has research embedded in it because my teacher does not like stand alone quotes” (Smith 82). � Cite the author of your source if you have one. If it is a database, you will not have page numbers, so they will look like this (Smith).

Citations con’t � Ex. Source with no author: � “Reintroduction of Wolves to Yellowstone” � Citations will be (“Reintroduction”). � Make sure you use quotation marks around titles.