Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
Purpose and Mapping
Cause & Effect Writing Purposes
Cause-effect relationships exist all around us. Cause writing serves to analyze and explain to the
reader how one event (the cause) leads to another event (the effect).
2 Basic Purposes
Focus on Causes:
Analyze how one or more
causes can result one or
more effects.
Focus on Effects:
Analyze how one or more
effects can result in a specific
event or cause.
Using Cause & Effect Multi-Flow Maps
Multi-flow maps can help organize the causes and effects surrounding a certain event.
Consider this scenario: the flooding of a city or town, and mapping causes and effects.
CAUSES
EFFECTS
Heavy Rain
Insurance Claims
MAIN EVENT
Dam Breaks
Flooded Town
River Overflow
Damage Economy
New Safety Plans
The left side of the diagram identifies multiple causes for the effect of the flooding of the town.
In turn, the flooding of the town becomes the cause of the effects on identified on the right.
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Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
Paragraph Organization and Format
Focus on Causes Example
Consider the diagram on the previous page, If you were to write a paragraph analyzing the
causes of the flooding of the town, the paragraph could follow the following format:
Topic Sentence
Identify “main event” and causes
Cause 1:
Cause 2:
Cause 3:
Heavy Rains: The amount
of rain compared to typical
storm.
Dam Breaks: The excessive
amount of water released
from the dam.
River Overflows: The
geographical placement of
rivers and overflow amount.
Concluding Sentence
Restate Thesis/Importance to reader/ Present Recommendations
Focus on Effects Example
Consider the diagram on the previous page, If you were to write a paragraph analyzing the
causes of the flooding of the town, the paragraph could follow the following format:
Topic Sentence
Attention Grabber / Context / Thesis
Effect 1:
Effect 2:
Effect 3:
Rise in Insurance Claims:
The amount of increase
and cost to companies.
Damage Economy: The effect
on town budget, and small
businesses.
New Safety Plans: Areas that
need to be addressed to
increase safety.
Concluding Sentence
Restate Thesis / Importance to reader / Present Recommendations
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Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
Forming Thesis Statements
Forming Thesis Statements
A strong thesis statement will identify the “main event” and either the causes of that event or the
effects of that event. Each of the formats below can establish a focused statement that indicates
the purpose and focus of the essay.
Focus on Causes Thesis Templates
(“Main Event”) ______________________ can be attributed to / is caused by / is a
result of / is a consequence of / is due to (causes) _______________________.
Example: The increase in obesity within our country can be attributed to aggressive
food advertising, affordable junk food, inactivity due to video games.
(causes) ____________________________________________________ are all key
factors in / are the cause of / contribute to (“Main Event”) _______________.
Example: Aggressive food advertising, affordable junk food, inactivity due to video
games are all key factors in the increase in obesity within our country.
Focus on Effects Thesis Templates
(“Main Event”) ______________________ contributes to / causes / results in / leads to/
(effects) ____________________________________________________.
Example: The increase in obesity within our country leads to higher mortality rates,
increase in health care costs, and a lower quality of life.
(effects) ____________________________________________________ can be
attributed to / are a result of / are a consequence of (“Main Event”) __________.
Example: Higher mortality rates, increase in health care costs, and a lower quality of
life are consequences of the increase in obesity within our country.
Forming Thesis Statements Practice
Look back at the practice flow maps you used for brainstorming. Use one of these templates to write a thesis.
Map #1 Thesis:
Map #2 Thesis:
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Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
Brainstorming and Focus
Choosing the Essay’s Focus
Once the topic is identified ie. (banning soda from schools, popularity of plastic water bottles, use
of social media for communication, etc.), the writer can use multi-flow maps to brainstorm causes
and effects. This will help develop supporting details and determine the focus for the essay.
After, brainstorming, the side that has stronger details (causes or effects) should become the
focus of the essay.
Use the exercises below for practice.
Banning the sale
soda on public
school campuses.
Circle which details are stronger:
What makes these details stronger than the other side?
Causes
Effects
The popularity of
drinking water out
of plastic bottles
Circle which details are stronger:
What makes these details stronger than the other side?
Causes
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Effects
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
Antigone
Cause and Effect Writing Task
Writing Task
In the play, there are many events that impact the plot and change the
characters. Follow the instructions below to evaluate the causes and effects of
these events.
Mapping Exercise: Choose one of the main event worksheets to brainstorm
and map the causes and effects surrounding some major events within the
novel. Use thesis templates to form a thesis that reflects the focus of the
findings within your multi-flow map.
Writing Task: Write a well-structured essay that analyzes either the causes or
the effects of your chosen event. Be sure to provide evidence and facts from
the sources provided.
Element
Criteria
Score
Introduction
Paragraph
The introduction includes a variety of engaging attention
grabber strategies, related and essential context regarding the
subject, and a strong thesis statement; expressing the specific
viewpoint of the writer.
Body
Paragraphs
Each body paragraph provides a point statement that is related
to and supports the essay’s thesis. The writer provides valuable
evidence and/or facts to support the objective of the
paragraph. The writer provides insightful explanation,
highlighting “what” is valuable within the evidence and “why”
these elements of the evidence support their claim.
Conclusion
Paragraph
Conclusion paragraph effectively restates the viewpoint of the
thesis statement, connects elements of the essay to the
reader’s life, and presents realistic recommendations to the
reader.
Language use
& mechanics
correct, appropriate, and varied integration of textual
examples, including in-text citations; limited errors in spelling,
grammar, word order, word usage, sentence structure, and
punctuation; good use of academic English
Total Score
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Name: _________________________ Period: _______
Antigone
Brainstorming Graphic Organizers
Choosing & Supporting the Essay’s Focus
Us the multi-flow map to identify the causes and effects around the event from the novel. The choose the focus of
your essay to create your thesis statement.
Antigone
buries
Banning the
sale
soda
on public
her brother
school
campuses.
Polyneices.
Organizing Your Evidence
Cause or Effect
Supporting Evidence/Facts
Use one of the thesis templates to draft a thesis for your essay below.
Top Writing Academy™ © 2017
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
Antigone
Brainstorming Graphic Organizers
Choosing & Supporting the Essay’s Focus
Us the multi-flow map to identify the causes and effects around the event from the novel. The choose the focus of
your essay to create your thesis statement.
Creon makes the
Banning that
the sale
decree
no
soda on public
one
shall
bury
school
campuses.
Polyneices
Organizing Your Evidence
Cause or Effect
Supporting Evidence/Facts
Use one of the thesis templates to draft a thesis for your essay below.
Top Writing Academy™ © 2017
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
Antigone
Brainstorming Graphic Organizers
Choosing & Supporting the Essay’s Focus
Us the multi-flow map to identify the causes and effects around the event from the novel. The choose the focus of
your essay to create your thesis statement.
Antigone
buries
Banning the
sale
soda
on public
her brother
school
campuses.
Polyneices.
Organizing Your Evidence
Cause or Effect
Supporting Evidence/Facts
Use one of the thesis templates to draft a thesis for your essay below.
Top Writing Academy™ © 2017
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
Antigone
Brainstorming Graphic Organizers
Choosing & Supporting the Essay’s Focus
Us the multi-flow map to identify the causes and effects around the event from the novel. The choose the focus of
your essay to create your thesis statement.
Creon the
locks
Banning
sale
soda on public
Antigone
in the
school
campuses.
tomb.
Organizing Your Evidence
Cause or Effect
Supporting Evidence/Facts
Use one of the thesis templates to draft a thesis for your essay below.
Top Writing Academy™ © 2017
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
Antigone
Brainstorming Graphic Organizers
Choosing & Supporting the Essay’s Focus
Us the multi-flow map to identify the causes and effects around the event from the novel. The choose the focus of
your essay to create your thesis statement.
Teiresias
warns
Banning the
sale
soda onwith
publica
Creon
school
campuses.
prophecy.
Organizing Your Evidence
Cause or Effect
Supporting Evidence/Facts
Use one of the thesis templates to draft a thesis for your essay below.
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Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _____________________ Period: _______
ACT Introduction Paragraph
The Introduction Paragraph
Like in a movie or play,
“ACT 1” of your essay
needs to be dynamic and
engaging, to draw in the
audience and set the tone
and direction for the rest
of the paper.
Introduction Paragraph: Essential Elements/Basic Structure
“Funnel” Structure:
The “funnel” represents moving from broad ideas about the topic, down to
some specific details of the context, to the very specific claim of your thesis.
FUNNEL INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH
A
TTENTION GRABBER (general)
Strategies to engage the audience and draw them into the subject of the paper
C
ONTEXT (more specific details)
Background information needed for the audience
to understand the issue
T
HESIS (very specific viewpoint)
A concise statement that proclaims the
author’s viewpoint and focus for writing
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Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _____________________ Period: _______
Introduction Attention Grabbers
Brainstorm Attention Grabbers
The opening of the paragraph should “GRAB” the reader’s attention by combining a
variety of different attention grabber strategies. Consider the examples below.
Write your thesis below:
Strategy
G
Brainstorming
raphic Imagery
Descriptive Figurative Language
R
hetorical Question
Engaging Hypothetical Situation
A
necdote
Personal or General Story
B
old Quote, Fact, Statement
Engaging and Related to Topic
Use brainyquote.com
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Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _____________________ Period: _______
Introduction Paragraph
Developing Context
Step #4: Developing Context for the Reader
The writer should assume that the reader needs some background information and
context to engage them and prepare them for you thesis statement.
Genre
EXPLANATORY
INFORMATIVE
Necessary Context (questions to answer)
•How has this subject been misunderstood in the past?
•What unique information or facts might be valuable for the
reader to know or consider?
•Why is it important for the reader to be properly informed
about this subject?
Brainstorm Ideas Of The Context Of Your Introduction Below
Context Question
Necessary Context Brainstorming
How has this subject been
misunderstood in the past?
•What unique information or
facts might be valuable for
the reader to know or
consider?
Why is it important for the
reader to be properly
informed about this subject?
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Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _____________________ Period: _______
Introduction Paragraph
Writing Organizer
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Use your notes from the prior exercises/notes to combine the A.C.T. and write a
complete Introduction.
ATTENTION GRABBER (2-4 sentences)
Review your different “Hooks” and try and combine different strategies for a dynamic opening
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
CONTEXT (3-4 sentences)
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
THESIS (1-2 sentences)
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _____________________ Period: _______
Introduction Paragraph
Sample Paragraph
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Use your notes from the prior exercises/notes to combine the A.C.T. and write a
complete Introduction.
ATTENTION GRABBER (2-4 sentences)
Review your different “Hooks” and try and combine different strategies for a dynamic opening
___________________________________________________________
Kids
loved the 2008 Disney movie “WALL-E”, the animated story of a
___________________________________________________________
waste-collecting robot left behind by humanity to restore a polluted earth.
___________________________________________________________
Children
laughed at some of the more humorous scenes of plump, jolly
___________________________________________________________
looking humans helplessly rolling around on the ground as their ship veered
___________________________________________________________
toward
veered back and forth.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
CONTEXT (3-4 sentences)
In___________________________________________________________
a country where it seems that a new gym of fad diet is popping up
___________________________________________________________
weekly, we may find these scenes comical and unrealistic. However, this
___________________________________________________________
cute
movie serves as a prophetic mirror that we should examine closely, as
___________________________________________________________
studies
predict a 130% increase in severe obesity prevalence over the next
___________________________________________________________
2 decades. (Am J Prev Med. 2012 Jun). To avoid this reality it is essential
to___________________________________________________________
become educated on the current causes of this expected obesity trend.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
THESIS (1-2 sentences)
___________________________________________________________
The
increase in obesity within our country can be attributed to aggressive
___________________________________________________________
food
advertising, affordable junk food, inactivity due to video games.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
Point Sentences
Body Paragraph: Purpose & Relationship to Thesis
THESIS = COMPASS: The thesis for a paper is like a compass. It sets direction and
purpose for the paper.
Like a compass, a thesis tells the writer where
to go and keeps them pointed in the right
direction By listing the causes or effects
within your thesis, the writer outlines or
previews how they will support their claim.
The elements of this preview or list become
the topics of each body paragraph.
THESIS PREVIEW
Body Paragraph #1
Body Paragraph #2
Body Paragraph #3
BASIC ELEMENTS OF A STRONG POINT SENTENCE
Topic: A clearly defined topic that matches the causes or effects within the prompt.
Opinion: A specific opinion about how this cause or effect is related to the subject.
Preview: A preview of how the writer will achieve their objective for the paragraph.
Specific: The “point” statement must state the writer’s specific, unique viewpoint. (not
just repeating another’s ideas.)
Example Thesis and related Point Sentence:
Thesis: The increase in obesity within our country can be attributed to aggressive food
advertising, affordable junk food, inactivity due to video games.
Point Sentence: Strategic advertising campaigns, within the food market, have increased
consumers daily calorie consumption through increasing desire and developing cravings.
Top Writing Academy™ © 2015
Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
Body Paragraphs
“Translate” your evidence
After composing a clear thesis the writer needs to provide evidence that
supports their claim and explanation of how this evidence supports the thesis.
This “translation” of the evidence becomes the body of the essay and works to
support the claim of your thesis statement.
BASIC STRUCTURE OF BODY PARAGRAPHS
P
oint: A strong statement that identifies the topic and “point/objective” of the
paragraph
E
vidence: Provide your primary evidence, embedded in factual/situational context.
WHAT excerpt or facts from the text support your claim?
E
xplanation: “Translate” what you have discovered within the given evidence and
why these specific elements support your objective.
LEVEL 1: WHAT
specifically within the evidence is useful to support
your claim? In this level, you should refer to specific elements within the
larger quote that are useful for your purpose and embed them within your
commentary.
LEVEL 2: WHY do these specific elements from the evidence support
your purpose or claim? Explain how the elements you refer to work to
support the point or objective of this body paragraph and your thesis.
L
ink: Link your analysis back to your original objective (if one of many body
paragraphs, through transitions, link to other areas of your essay).
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Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
PEEL Graphic Organizer
Point Statement
Evidence (Embedded Primary Quotation)
Explanation (Level 1 Embed Important Elements From Evidence)
Explanation (Level 2 Why These Elements Support Your Purpose)
Link (Connect Your Analysis To Your Objective and Create Transitions)
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Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
PEEL Sample Paragraph
Point Statement
Strategic advertising campaigns, within the food market, have increased consumers daily
calorie consumption through increasing desire and developing cravings
Evidence (Embedded Primary Quotation)
An analysis of the influence of television advertising on the dietary habits of children found,
“The average American child sees nearly 8,000 commercials on TV for food and
beverages, and only 165 of these are for nutritious options like fruits and vegetables.
“Clearly eating behavior changes if you watch a lot of TV,” says Strasburger
[ professor of pediatrics at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine]. “You tend to
snack more, eat more unhealthy food and eat more calories if you eat in front of the TV set.”
(Time Magazine: June 27, 2011)
Explanation (Level 1 Embed Important Elements From Evidence)
The bombardment of “8000” food commercials with only a handful focused on
healthy and nutritious alternatives to junk food, would be overwhelming to any mature
consumer, let alone the adolescents that are specifically targeted. As Strasburger
emphasized, food commercials are influential in “eating behavior changes”.
Explanation (Level 2 Why These Elements Support Your Purpose)
The focus of these ads is to present the product as irresistible, and stimulate longings within
your brain. Exposure to a constant flow of images, images focused on making these foods
attractive, results in creating new cravings and desires. These new cravings and desires
are a key factor in an overload of calorie intake.
Link (Connect Your Analysis To Your Objective and Create Transitions)
As a consequence, obesity rates rise because of the influence of these powerful marketing
campaigns.
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Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _________________________ Period: _______
Transitions and Connectors
Common Cause-Effect Transitions and Connectors
as a consequence
due to
on account of
as a result
(the) effect (of X)
(for this) reason
(X can be) attributed (a key) factor of (X)
to (Y)
(X is the) reason for
(Y)
because
for this reason
(X is a) result of (Y)
because of
furthermore
(X) resulted in (Y)
caused
if (X), then (Y)
since
(X is the) cause of
(Y)
in addition (to)
so
in order to
therefore
(one) consequence
of this (is that . . .)
(X) influences (Y)
this means that…
consequently
(X) leads to (Y)
thus
(X is) caused by (Y)
EXERCISE: Circle the transitions or connectors in the sentences below.
The bombardment of “8000” food commercials with only a handful focused
on healthy and nutritious alternatives to junk food, would be overwhelming
to any mature consumer, let alone the adolescents that are specifically
targeted. As Strasburger emphasized, food commercials are influential in
“eating behavior changes”. The focus of these ads is to present the product
as irresistible, and stimulate longings within your brain. Exposure to a
constant flow of images, images focused on making these foods attractive,
results in creating new cravings and desires. These new cravings and
desires are a key factor in an overload of calorie intake. As a consequence,
obesity rates rise because of the influence of these powerful marketing
campaigns.
Top Writing Academy™ © 2016
Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _____________________ Period: _______
RIP Conclusion Paragraph
The Importance of Conclusions
The conclusion brings your essay full circle and provides closure and direction for the reader,
making sure your reader is left hanging with questions like…
So what?
Why is this important?
What should I do about it?
Conclusions Video Exercise
While watching the video, on the left hand column, take notes about the characteristics of conclusion
paragraphs. In the right hand column, take notes of things you learn from the teacher led classroom
discussion of the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L7aeO9fBzE
Video
Class Discussion
Basic Conclusion
Structure
A fun way to remember and
organize the different
elements of a conclusion
paragraph is to think that
you are “putting the paper
to rest”, and may the
paper
R.I.P. “REST IN PEACE”.
R.I.P.
RESTATE: Your position
IMPORTANCE: To the
reader’s life
PRESENT:
Recommendations for
response
Top Writing Academy™ © 2015
Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _____________________ Period: _______
RIP Conclusion Paragraph
Conclusion Paragraph Planning Sheet
Use your notes the organizers below to plan and organize your RIP conclusion
Original Thesis
Conclusion Restatement
Importance to reader question
Sample Responses
•What is the most important
information shared that they must
retain
•In what circumstances will this
new knowledge/understanding be
useful?
•Why is this new information
practical and important for
everyone to learn?
Topic/Position
Change in thinking
How it should effect
other issues
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Specific actions they
can take
Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _____________________ Period: _______
RIP Conclusion Paragraph
RIP Conclusion Graphic Organizer
Use you notes and the graphic organizer below to develop a draft of you conclusion.
RESTATEMENT:
IMPORTANCE TO READER:
PRESENT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Top Writing Academy™ © 2015
Cause & Effect
Writing
Name: _____________________ Period: _______
Sample Conclusion Paragraph
RIP Conclusion Graphic Organizer
Use you notes and the graphic organizer below to develop a draft of you conclusion.
RESTATEMENT:
Calculated advertising, cheap unhealthy fast food, and lack of
exercise all contribute to the obesity trend within our nation.
IMPORTANCE TO READER:
The media is saturating our senses with images and limitless options
for unhealthy foods, presenting them as attractive and irresistible.
Understanding the causes for our cravings and desires will help
combat the reasons for the increase of obesity in our country.
PRESENT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Therefore it is essential to increase awareness of the power of
marketing and it’s influence on our diet and the benefits of regular
exercise. Even perhaps create legislation regulating the influence of
ad campaigns promoting unhealthy foods.
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HOW TO BEST USE THIS RESOURCE
We appreciate your purchase of this “TOP Writing Academy” product. Use the guidelines below to
maximize the effectiveness of this resource in the classroom.
Interactive Activities
INCLUDED WITH THIS PACKET
Student Notes
Graphic Organizers
Interactive Activities
Sample Paragraphs
TEACHER’S GUIDE
Introduction
to Cause and
Effect
Writing
Introducing
the Cause
and Effect
Writing
Tasks
Writing the
Cause and
Effect Essay
Blog
Use the provided notes to introduce students to the concepts and fundamentals of cause and effect
writing:
-Purpose and Mapping
-Organization and Format
-Brainstorming and Focus
-Forming Thesis Statements
Use the provided writing task and articles to facilitate an cause and effect essay
-Walk students through the writing task
-Have students read articles provided by the links
-Use the provided Brainstorming Graphic Organizers sheet to help students begin planning the essay
Use the student notes, activities, sample paragraphs, and graphic organizers to guide students in the writing process:
-ACT Introductions
-PEEL Body Paragraphs (Transitions and Connectors)
-RIP Conclusion Paragraphs
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