Student Instructions:
Today we are going to start learning about Cause & Effect essays. Your second major assignment will be to write either Cause/Effect essay or a Compare and Contrast Essay, which will be discussed later.
The Flaw in the Plan
Watch the video provided by your instructor. Discuss the following questions: What was the coyote’s plan for catching the bird? What caused it to fail?
Contributing Factors
Sometimes causal relationships are as simple as “I tripped on a crack in the sidewalk, now my foot hurts.” However, much of the time there will be events and conditions that help cause something to happen without being the direct cause. For example, while the crack in the sidewalk was the direct cause of my pain, part of the reason I hit the crack may have been because I wasn’t paying attention to the ground because I was looking at my watch.
Watch this video a car accident and read the statements given by the witnesses. Which factors directly caused the accident? How? Which factors helped contribute to the event? How?
Check Your Reasoning
Always make sure that the relationship between your cause and effect is clearly stated. You can’t just say that because two things happened, one caused the other.
Reverse Outlining a Cause Essay
Read the sample essay about the causes of women’s liberation in the US. Try to make a reverse outline of the essay. Where is the thesis statement? How are the paragraphs structured?
Thesis Statements
Now, look at the sample topic(s) your teacher has provided for you. Pick one and think of three things that either directly cause or contribute to the given effect. Then take these three ideas and write a thesis statement for an essay on this topic.
