Cause & Effect Essays

Group 5 - 10E9
CAUSES-FOCUSED ESSAY G5 - E9

Cause-focused
essay
CAUSE-FOCUSED ESSAY G5 - E9

Cause-focused essay

Definition Objection
A cause-focused essay thoroughly
To cover all the main
examines the causes of an issue.

While a cause and effect essay causes of an issue and

illustrates the relation of various

discuss them in detail
phenomena, this type of essay

delves deeply into the causes only.

CAUSE-FOCUSED ESSAY G5 - E9

- What generates stress?

- Discuss the causes of

global warming
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS - Explain the high death rate
in Chernoby
QUESTIONS
- Nowadays many people
spend less and less time at
home. What are the causes of
this?
CAUSE-FOCUSED ESSAY G5 - E9

Structure

Introduction 1st Body Paragraph 2nd Body Paragraph Conclusion

Background The first reasonrue The second reason Recap of essay

information and thesis

statement
CAUSE-FOCUSED ESSAY G5 - E9

Example(Block):
Introduction: The fact that the world’s cities are getting more and more crowded is well-
known. Cities such as Tokyo, São Paulo, Bombay and Shanghai are now considered ‘mega-
cities’, because of their enormous size and huge populations.(Introducing the topic &
background). There are two main reasons why these and other cities are becoming so crowded;
one economic, the other socio-cultural.(Thesis statement)
First, the primary cause of cities becoming so crowded is economic(first cause). As a country
develops, its cities become the engines of development, thus jobs are available in these areas.
Frankfurt, Istanbul, Bombay and Sao Paulo are all the economic centres of their countries. For
example, Tokyo was the motor for Japan’s rapid economic development in the 1960’s and 70’s;
as a result, its population increased rapidly. People moved to Tokyo because they could find
employment and establish economic security for themselves and their families there.
(Examining and explaining the 1st cause)
Second, another factor in the huge increase in urban populations is the socio-cultural factor.
(Second cause) Thousands of people migrate to the cities not only for jobs but also for
educational and personal reasons. The better universities are always located in big cities and
this attracts thousands of students every year, and these students stay on and work in the city
after they graduate. Moreover, young people will move to the city as the villages and rural
areas are more custom and tradition oriented. Therefore, young people believe this is an
obstacle to their personal freedom. (Examining and explaining the 2nd cause)
In conclusion, economic and cultural factors are the major causes of the huge urban
population. People will always move to the areas which provide opportunity and to the places
which can give them the freedom they desire. (Recap of the essay)
EFFECT-FOCUSED ESSAY G5 - E9

Effect-focused
essay
Definition

An effect-focused essay is an essay

that focuses more on the effects of a

cause rather than on the causes of

one effect.
EFFECT-FOCUSED ESSAY G5 - E9

Objective
It can analyze the ways in

which one or more effects

result from a particular cause

EFFECT-FOCUSED ESSAY G5 - E9

Structure
EFFECT-FOCUSED ESSAY G5 - E9

Example (Block):
The twenty-first century is already turning out It is not just in business that computers have
to be the century of the computer. The computer affected us so profoundly; communication has
revolution that started after the Second World been revolutionized totally. Firstly, whereas
War is now developing exponentially and before, people wrote letters, which would often
computers are beginning to influence and take take weeks to reach their destinations, or spoke
over nearly every aspect of our lives. Computers on the phone, which was terribly expensive,
are clearly changing society in many ways. The now they email. For instance, instead of waiting
two main areas in which computers have a weeks for a letter now, we can read it instantly,
profound change in our lives are in the economic seconds after it’s been written. Secondly, many
field and in the field of communications. people use computers to communicate with
The computer has led to immense changes in people all around the world using chat rooms
economic and business life. First, businesses now and chat programs, this was impossible before
have to be computerized or they risk failure. the computer became widespread. As a result,
Every big corporation bases its operations on now people who live thousands of kilometers
computing, regardless of which sector they are in. away from each other can communicate as
For example, Coca-Cola, the BBC and Levi’s much as they want and whenever they want
market and sell different products and services, using e-mail and/or chat rooms.
yet they all share one basic property – without In conclusion, computers have had a profound
computers their operations would collapse. effect on our lives in many ways and it is in
Second, computing is an economic dynamo. business and communication that they have
Japan, China, India and many other countries had the greatest .
have large IT sectors which drive their economies
upwards. Furthermore, the developed world is
moving from an industrial-based economy to a
computer and IT-based one.
CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS G5 - E9

CAUSE-EFFECT
ESSAY
 Definition
Looks at the reasons (or causes) for something,

discusses the results (or effects), sometimes referred

to as reason and result essays, one of the most

common forms of organization in academic writing

CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS G5 - E9

Objectives

To understand the To identify cause- To analyze

structure of a effect essay samples of cause-

cause-effect essay transitional words effect essays

CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS G5 - E9

The percentage of overweight children in western society

has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years. Discuss

the causes and effects

What in your opinion are the primary causes of

this? What are the main effects of this epidemic?
Today more people are overweight than ever before.

Questions Nowadays many adults have full-time jobs and the

proportion of their lives spent on work is very high. Some of

them are under high stress and ignore the other parts of life.

What are the causes and effects?

It is observed that in many countries not enough students

What are the

are choosing to study science subjects.

causes? And what will be the effects on society?

CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS G5 - E9

Cause-effect structure words

Transition signals which show the cause and effect relationships.

Cause happens first, and the effect happens later.

CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS G5 - E9

STRUCTURE
INTRODUCTION

General statement

Thesis statement
CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS G5 - E9

BODY
Topic sentence

Supporting details (explanations, examples, facts,...)

2 ways to structure

Block structure: Lists all of the causes first, Chain structure: each cause is followed

then all of the effects immediately by the effect

-> Clear -> Any effects relate directly to the causes

CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS G5 - E9

STRUCTURE
CONCLUSION

Rephrase the thesis

statement

Summarize causes and

effects

Opinion/ Solutions
CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS G5 - E9

EXAMPLE & STEPS

Topic: More and more women are now going out to work and some

women are now the major salary earner in the family. What are the

causes of this, and what effect is this having on families and society?
CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS G5 - E9

STEPS:

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5

Understand Brainstorm Establish Write a Check your

the question your idea a Thesis first draft writing

 CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS G5 - E9

Step 1: Understand the Step 2: Brainstorm your idea Step 3: Establish a Thesis
question
Make a T-chart about causes and - Your thesis statement can highlight a

- Ask yourself: Which type of essay will effects single cause-and-effect relationship, or it

you write? (cause, effect or cause- can also show how one event causes

effect essay) multiple effects

What are the causes of this, and Women's liberation and feminism have

what effect is this having on meant that this situation has been

→
families and society? transformed and in contemporary

Cause-effect essay society women are playing an almost

- Underline keywords equal role to men in terms of work. This

More and more women are now has had significant consequences,

going out to work and some both in terms of the family, for

women are now the major salary example by improving quality of life

earner in the family. What are the and increasing children's sense of

causes of this, and what effect is independence, and also for society

this having on families and itself with greater gender equality.

society?
CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS Step 4: Write a first draft G5 - E9

Use your thesis statement and your body

paragraph ideas, craft the first draft of your essay.

Step 5. Check your writing

Use this checklist to check

your writing
CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS

G5 - E9

Questions:
What is the type of the essay? Block or

Chain?

Which is the thesis statement?

What are cause and effect structure words?

Which is the summary of the main ideas?

What are topic sentences?

 CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS G5 - E9

In the past, most women stayed at home to take care of domestic chores such as A further effect on the family is the promotion of
cooking or cleaning. Women's liberation and feminism have meant that this situation independence in the children. Some might argue that having
has been transformed and in contemporary society women are playing an almost equal both parents working might be damaging to the children
role to men in terms of work. This has had significant consequences, both in terms of because of a lack of parental attention. However, such children
the family, for example by improving quality of life and increasing children's sense of have to learn to look after themselves at an earlier age, and
independence, and also for society itself with greater gender equality. their parents often rely on them to help with the housework.
This, therefore, teaches them important life skills.
The main reasons behind the increase of women in the workplace are women's
liberation and feminism. The women's liberation movement originated in the 1960s As regards society, the most significant impact of women going
and was popularized by authors such as Simone de Beauvoir. As a consequence of this, to work is greater gender equality. There are an increasing
new legislation emerged, granting women equal rights to men in many fields, in number of women who are becoming politicians, lawyers, and
particular employment. Because of feminist ideas, men have taken up roles which were even CEOs and company managers. This in turn has led to
previously seen as being for women only, most importantly those related to child greater equality for women in all areas of life, not just
rearing. As a result of this, women have more time to pursue their own careers and employment. For example, women today have much stronger
interests. legal rights to protect themselves against domestic violence
and sexual discrimination in the workplace.
These have led to some significant effects, both to family life and to society as a whole.
In conclusion, the increasing number of women at work as a
Although the earning capacity of a woman in her lifetime is generally much less than result of women's freedom has brought about some important
that of a man, she can nevertheless make a significant contribution to the family changes to family life, including improved quality of life and
income. The most important consequence of this is an improved quality of life. By increased independence for children, as well as affecting
helping to maintain a steady income for the family, the pressure on the husband is society itself. It is clear that the sexes are still a long way from
considerably reduced, hence improving both the husband's and the wife's emotional being equal in all areas of life, however, and perhaps the
wellbeing. Additionally, the purchasing power of the family will also be raised. This challenge for the present century is to ensure that this takes
means that the family can afford more luxuries such as foreign travel and a family car. place.
 CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS G5 - E9

In the past, most women stayed at home to take care of domestic chores such as A further effect on the family is the promotion of
cooking or cleaning. Women's liberation and feminism have meant that this situation independence in the children. Some might argue that having
has been transformed and in contemporary society women are playing an almost equal both parents working might be damaging to the children
role to men in terms of work. This has had significant consequences, both in terms of because of a lack of parental attention. However, such children
the family, for example by improving quality of life and increasing children's sense of have to learn to look after themselves at an earlier age, and
independence, and also for society itself with greater gender equality. their parents often rely on them to help with the housework.
This, therefore, teaches them important life skills.
The main reasons behind the increase of women in the workplace are women's
liberation and feminism. The women's liberation movement originated in the 1960s As regards society, the most significant impact of women going
and was popularized by authors such as Simone de Beauvoir. As a consequence of this, to work is greater gender equality. There are an increasing
new legislation emerged, granting women equal rights to men in many fields, in number of women who are becoming politicians, lawyers, and
particular employment. Because of feminist ideas, men have taken up roles which were even CEOs and company managers. This in turn has led to
previously seen as being for women only, most importantly those related to child greater equality for women in all areas of life, not just
rearing. As a result of this, women have more time to pursue their own careers and employment. For example, women today have much stronger
interests. legal rights to protect themselves against domestic violence
and sexual discrimination in the workplace.
These have led to some significant effects, both to family life and to society as a whole.
In conclusion, the increasing number of women at work as a
Although the earning capacity of a woman in her lifetime is generally much less than result of women's freedom has brought about some important
that of a man, she can nevertheless make a significant contribution to the family changes to family life, including improved quality of life and
income. The most important consequence of this is an improved quality of life. By increased independence for children, as well as affecting
helping to maintain a steady income for the family, the pressure on the husband is society itself. It is clear that the sexes are still a long way from
considerably reduced, hence improving both the husband's and the wife's emotional being equal in all areas of life, however, and perhaps the
wellbeing. Additionally, the purchasing power of the family will also be raised. This challenge for the present century is to ensure that this takes
means that the family can afford more luxuries such as foreign travel and a family car. place.
CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAYS G5 - E9

Thank you for

listening
Any question?