Causal Arguments Cause answers WHY a problem exists

Causal Arguments Cause answers WHY… a problem exists: Tax inequity Human trafficking Unaffordable health care Elder Abuse Food shortages Low education

Purpose • Identify reasons for problems • Predict and weigh consequences • Develop policy/solutions • Determine which solution offers the greatest benefits with the least cost

• In addition, in identifying the causes of a situation, you are implicitly arguing the effect(s) that should be considered.

How to form cause • Begin with a stated issue/cause and then examination of one or more of its effects Example: • Wildfires in populated areas • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=F 8 Ho Y 7 w. TJ 70 • effects?

• Begin with an issue/effect and trace back to possible causes Example • Celebrity Worship http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=9 l 76 OX 0 b 2 fo • Causes?

Build a causal chain, a series of links: cause A leads to B, which leads to C and final effect D Example: international environmental effort needed A- desire for more farm land housing B- decision to cut down trees C- more carbon dioxide trapped in Earth’s atmosphere D- (result) one cause of current climate changes.

Characterizing Causal Arguments • Often part of other arguments, especially proposals -- Useful in establishing the “good reasons” for the argument in general

• They are almost always complex “It’s obvious’ violent TV & video games lead to aggressive behavior” (233) • Often definition based • Have conditions and influences: lit cigarette (agent) or person dropping it?

Cause and effect is arguable Example: working poor/poverty • minimum wage is too low OR • inadequate educational opportunities OR • powerful economic/class system that demands a “bottom”

• Yield probable rather than absolute conclusions -- complexity makes them difficult to prove -- problems linking to “just one” -- must be supported with strongest evidence available -- stay focused: global warming and cows and

Steps to writing Causal Analysis • Grab reader’s attention in intro • Frame your issue • State your thesis clearly (consider listing causes/effects in thesis • Work step by step to prove each cause/effect with considerable evidence and sound reason • Rebuttal may fall within each cause/effect or be argued in a block immediately after intro or just prior to conclusion