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Cause Effect

The document explains the cause-effect pattern of paragraph development, where a cause states why something happens and an effect describes what happens as a result. It outlines three methods of utilizing this pattern: cause to effect, effect to cause, and consecutive cause and effect, providing examples for each. The main goal is to help writers explain situations and their consequences effectively.

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janrainvillegas21
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2 views

Cause Effect

The document explains the cause-effect pattern of paragraph development, where a cause states why something happens and an effect describes what happens as a result. It outlines three methods of utilizing this pattern: cause to effect, effect to cause, and consecutive cause and effect, providing examples for each. The main goal is to help writers explain situations and their consequences effectively.

Uploaded by

janrainvillegas21
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CAUSE-EFFECT

PATTERN OF PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT


What is “cause”?
What is “effect”?
A cause states why something happens while an
effect is what happens. If they are combined
together, they can be used as a writing
development pattern. With the cause-and-effect
pattern, the writer can better explain how an
event or action leads to another.
The following words can be used as signal words
for cause and effect:
1. as a result
2. because of (this)
3. due to (this)
4. consequently
5. hence/therefore/thus
If narration offers a sequence of events,
cause/effect essays offer an explanation about
why that sequence matters.

Cause/effect writing is particularly powerful when


the author can provide a cause/effect relationship
that the reader wasn’t expecting, and as a result see
the situation in a new light.
The main objective in using a cause-and-
effect method of paragraph development is to
explain to your readers (a) why a certain
situation happened; (b) the consequences
connected to that particular situation or event;
or (c) a discussion of both
There are three different ways to utilize the
cause-and-effect writing pattern:
1. cause to effect,
2. effect to cause, and
3. consecutive cause and effect.
Cause to Effect - In this pattern, the cause,
which is either an event or action, is stated right at
the beginning of a paragraph, followed by
statements on its effects. This type of organization
is best for explaining a single cause with multiple
effects.
Example
Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning caused by
Salmonella enterica bacterium. People who are infected
with such illness experience abdominal cramps, fever,
and diarrhea. Consequently, they suffer from severe
dehydration, vomiting, headaches, and body aches.
Furthermore, salmonellosis can lead to complications,
such as Reiter’s syndrome (reactive arthritis) and focal
infection.
Effect to cause - In this pattern, the effect is
stated at the beginning of the text, followed by
sentences and paragraphs that explain further the
causes. This type of organization is best for
presenting a single effect with different causes.
Example
Global warming, the increase of Earth’s average surface temperature, is
happening. One of its major causes is the buildup of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere. Those gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which keeps the Earth
warm. However, burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas produces more
carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere. Thus, more heat is trapped
in the atmosphere, and the Earth gets warmer than usual. Another major cause of
the global warming is deforestation. When forests are burned, large amounts of
carbon are released into the atmosphere. Likewise, when trees are cut down,
much carbon dioxide from living things, some of which is absorbed by the trees,
goes to the atmosphere. Nitrogen-based fertilizers are contributing to global
warming, too. They are used in farming to stimulate microbes in the soil. At a very
fast rate, the microbes convert nitrogen to nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that
can trap more heat than carbon dioxide can. Also, it destroys the ozone, Earth’s
defense from ultraviolet light
Consecutive cause and effect - In this
type of organization, each cause has its
corresponding effect, and they are tackled one by
one in a few sentences or paragraphs. The writer
explains each cause and effect completely before
moving on to the next pair of cause and effect.
Example
American women gained status during World War II.
Many of them took over men’s jobs in factories and
farms as men enlisted in the military. As a result, they
learned new skills and experienced work outside of
their home. Women were also allowed to serve in the
military following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, so they
felt the pride of being in the military service. Lastly,
because of the absence of men, women made
decisions for themselves and their families.
Instructions: Read the paragraphs and answer the following questions:
1. Does the paragraph explain cause? Or effect? Cause of what? Effect of what?
2. What are those?

There are many theories about why the dinosaurs vanished from
the planet. One theory that many people believe is that a
gigantic meteorite smashed into the Earth. Scientists believe that
the meteorite was very big and that the impact may have
produced a large dust cloud that covered the Earth for many
years. The dust cloud may have caused plants to not receive
sunlight and the large plant eaters, or herbivores, may have died
off, followed by the large meat eaters, or carnivores. This theory
may or may not be true, but it is one explanation as to why
these giant reptiles no longer inhabit the Earth.
Instructions: Read the paragraphs and answer the following questions:
1. Does the paragraph explain cause? Or effect? Cause of what? Effect of what?
2. What are those?

Look down at your feet. Are you wearing shoes? Why? People wear
shoes many reasons. The first and most important reason is to
protect their feet. Shoes keep people from hurting their feet while
walking on rough surfaces, but this isn’t the only reason why people
wear shoes. Some people wear special shoes that are designed to
help them play a game, like bowling shoes or soccer cleats. Some
people wear expensive designer shoes so that they appear
fashionable and feel good about themselves. And a lot of other
people like my dad wear shoes so that their feet won’t stink up the
room.
Instructions: Read the paragraphs and answer the following questions:
1. Does the paragraph explain cause? Or effect? Cause of what? Effect of what?
2. What are those?

Automation is the use of machines to reduce the need for


human labor. In other words automation is when jobs done
by people become jobs done by robots. Automation can be
a good thing. Because of automation, clothing, cars, and
other manufactured products are available at good prices
and in large supply. But automation can also be a bad
thing. Because of automation, there are over 700,000
robots in America alone that do jobs once performed by
humans. The way of automation may not be best for
humanity, but it is the course we are taking.

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