Cause/Effect

Cause/Effect essays often appear in discussions of business and economics, history, and science. For instance, cause/effect is useful in discussions of economic trends, analyses of effective advertising, or discussions of business growth and development patterns. History frequently deals with the significance of historical events or persons and the consequences following an event or the consequences of the decisions/actions of an individual or group. For scientists, analyses of cause/effect relationships assist in prediction and diagnosis, which is particularly valuable in practical applications of science, medicine, and technology.

Cause/Effect essays focus on why something happens or the results of something happening. A cause/effect essay can focus on the causes of an event or situation, the effects of an event or situation, or a chain of cause/effect events.

Cause: For essays focusing on causes, the introduction discusses the importance of the effect and why its causes should be explored. The body analyzes the various causes (or suspected causes), often presenting them based on their order of importance. The conclusion will usually focus on the relative weights of the causes which produced the effect.

Effect: For essays focusing on effects, the introduction discusses the significance or importance of the cause which has led to the effects. The body paragraphs explore the various effects (or potential effects). The conclusion emphasizes the consequences that have (or will) result from the cause discussed.

Cause/Effect Chains: Essays about cause/effect chains are more complex. The introduction and conclusion usually focus on the importance and significance of the chain of events as a whole while the body paragraphs examine each event in the chain, its relationship within the series of cause/effect events, and its significance to the whole.

Methods of Support
Cause/effect is yet another tool a writer can use to support a position on a particular topic. For instance, a writer's position may be that the amount of violence in media marketed to adolescents is detrimental to society. As proof or evidence of this position, the writer may discuss the negative effects of violent video games. Thus, by using the cause/effect mode, the writer is building support for a stronger argument.

ENGL1010 Composition I