Cause and Effect Essays

Overview

• Cause and Effect Essays explore reasons (causes) and results (effects).
• Also known as Reason and Result Essays.
• Can focus on:
  • Both causes and effects
  • Only causes
  • Only effects

Examples

• Global Warming: Causes and effects
• Fall of the Roman Empire: Causes only
• WHO and its effects on global health: Effects only

Structuring Cause and Effect Essays

1. Block Structure

• Introduction: Start with a clear thesis statement.
• Body:
  • Discuss all causes in one section.
    • Example:
      • Cause 1: Burning fossil fuels (factories, vehicles)
      • Cause 2: Farming activities (methane gases)
      • Cause 3: Deforestation (loss of trees)
  • Transition sentence linking causes to effects.
  • Discuss all effects in another section.
    • Example:
      • Effect 1: Extreme weather events (hurricanes, floods)
      • Effect 2: Melting glaciers
      • Effect 3: Rising sea levels
      • Effect 4: Species loss (e.g., polar bears)
• Conclusion: Summarize the main points and restate the thesis.

Variations:

• Causes Only Essay: Focus solely on causes.
• Effects Only Essay: Focus solely on effects.

2. Chain Structure

• Introduction and Conclusion as in Block Structure.
• Body:
  • Each cause is immediately followed by its effect(s).
  • Example:
    • Cause 1: Burning fossil fuels → Effect: Greenhouse gases → Rising temperatures → Melting glaciers → Rising sea levels
    • Cause 2: Rising sea levels → Loss of habitat → Species loss
• Effects and subsequent causes are connected like links in a chain.

Cause and Effect Connectors

• Used to signal cause and effect relationships.
• Examples:
  • C (Cause): Because, since, as, due to, owing to
  • E (Effect): As a result, consequently, therefore, thus
  • Structural Examples:
    • "As a result of habitat loss, species loss occurs."
    • "Due to rising sea levels, polar bears are losing their habitat."

Conclusion

• Cause and effect essays require a clear understanding of the relationship between causes and effects.
• Proper structuring using Block or Chain method is crucial.
• Connecting words help in showing logical relationships.

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For further resources and examples, visit EAP Foundation.