Senior Composition Chapter 11 NOTES Cause and Effect NAME______________________________ 

Complete each term below with specific or paraphrased definitions/explanations from the 
textbook. 
 
1. Cause and effect: 

2. Main cause: 

3. Contributory cause: 

4. Immediate cause: 

5. Remote cause: 

6. Causal chain: 

7. Post hoc reasoning: 

8. Thesis statement: 

9. Useful transitions: 

10. Structures:  

a.  

b.  

11. Explain structure a 

12. Explain structure b 

 
 Cause and Effect Structures 
 
Cause Focus:  Effect Focus:  
Intro  Intro  
Cause #1  Cause #1  
Cause #2  Effect #1  
Cause #3 Effect #2 
Cause #4 (maybe)  Effect #3 
Effect #1  Effect #4 (maybe) 
Conclusion  Conclusion  
 
 
 

Cause and Effect Transitions 

You can use these transitions in your paper to demonstrate cause and effect relationships and to 
help unify your writing. 
 
CAUSE (A)  EFFECT (B) 

Because of (A), (B)  As a result, (B) 

As a result of (A), (B)  As a consequence, (B) 

As a consequence of (A), (B)  Consequently, (B) 

(B) is the effect of (A)  Thus, (B) 

Given that (A)  Therefore, (B) 

(A) results in (B)  Hence, (B) 

Because/since/as (A)  (A) can be attributed to (B) 

(B) is due to (A)  (A) has an effect on (B) 

 
Cause and Effect Outline Name: _____________________________________ 
 
Paper topic: ___________________________________________________ 
*Research: At least 10 citations from 5+ credible sources. At least two pieces of research 
per body paragraph. At least 5 direct quotations. 
 
Introduction Opening strategy: 
 
Background/history (key words/phrases): 
 
Preview of Body Topics (list each paragraph topic and allusion to analysis: 
 
THESIS (write complete thesis): 
 
Body 
Paragraph 1 Cause __ or Effect __ (check one): ________________________________________ 
 
Lead in sentence: 
 
Research Sources: ( ) Quote OR Paraphrase 
 
Lead in sentence: 
 
Research Sources: ( ) Quote OR Paraphrase 
 
Transition word/phrase: 
 
Paragraph 2 Cause __ or Effect __ (check one): ________________________________________ 
 
Lead in sentence: 
 
Research Sources: ( ) Quote OR Paraphrase 
 
Lead in sentence: 
 
Research Sources: ( ) Quote OR Paraphrase 
 
Transition word/phrase: 
 
 
   
Paragraph 3 Cause __ or Effect __ (check one): ________________________________________ 
 
Lead in sentence: 
 
Research Sources: ( ) Quote OR Paraphrase 
 
Lead in sentence: 
 
Research Sources: ( ) Quote OR Paraphrase 
 
Transition word/phrase: 
 
Paragraph 4 Cause __ or Effect __ (check one): ________________________________________ 
 
Lead in sentence: 
 
Research Sources: ( ) Quote OR Paraphrase 
 
Lead in sentence: 
 
Research Sources: ( ) Quote OR Paraphrase 
 
Transition word/phrase: 
 
Paragraph 5 Cause __ or Effect __ (check one): ________________________________________ 
 
Lead in sentence: 
 
Research Sources: ( ) Quote OR Paraphrase 
 
Lead in sentence: 
 
Research Sources: ( ) Quote OR Paraphrase 
 
Transition word/phrase: 
 
Conclusion Concluding transition signal: 
 
Analysis of causes/effects: 
 
Rewording of original THESIS: 
 
Concluding clincher: 
 Cause and Effect Essay Checklist 
Author: ​Ask a peer who has not read or edited your paper to review your essay using the 
checklist. 
Peer Editor: ​Review your peer’s essay using the checklist below. Make comments for each item 
in the checklist. Comments can be constructive, complementary, and/or suggestions.

Evaluator: 

Introduction and Conclusion  Yes or No  Comment 

The introduction grabs the reader’s     

attention immediately. 

Necessary background information is     

given to the reader to understand the 
scope of the causes and effects 
before discussion. 

Clear, defined, and arguable thesis     

states the causes and effects being 
addressed and the stance on the topic 

The conclusion is effective: it     

summarizes, restates main point, and 
leaves the reader thinking. 

Transition Words  Yes or No  Comment 

The paper uses cause and effect     

transition words to show 
relationships between ideas. 

Transition words are used to move     

topics/points smoothly from one to 
the next. 

MLA Format  Yes or No  Comment 

Quotes and paraphrase research are     

cited correctly. 

Research is introduced and     

explained/commented on. The 
amount of research and the amount 
of the writer’s voice is appropriate. 

Pages adhere to proper MLA heading     

Senior Comp. Cause and Effect Essay Rubric Name_________________________
0 = Not evident 1 = Little evidence 2 = 1st draft quality 3 = Almost there 4 = Perfect

Understands the writing TASK - Maintains focus - Refers 0 1 2 3 4

often to the thesis that is being discussed

Clear, defined, and arguable THESIS - uses key words 0 1 2 3 4

from the original prompt, extended to present the writer’s
opinion. Includes cause(s) and effect(s).

GREAT evidence/support (at least 10 citations) from 5+ 0 1 2 3 4

credible sources. At least 5 directly borrowed and at least
2 per body paragraph.

Correct MLA documentation for outside sources. 0 1 2 3 4

Correctly formatted Works Cited page.

Writer’s DISCUSSION of subpoints: specific, logical, 0 1 2 3 4

developed, and elaborated analysis answers the question,
“so what?”

Clear ORGANIZATION, logical progression of ideas and 0 1 2 3 4

effective use of TRANSITIONS - words/phrases move
one idea to another, one paragraph to another

Well developed INTRODUCTION: hook, preview of 0 1 2 3 4

essay points to be discussed, thesis and a great title

Well developed CONCLUSION: review of essay’s points, 0 1 2 3 4

significance, rephrased thesis, clincher

ELEVATED word choice, varied sentence structure, style 0 1 2 3 4

of writing

Free of grammar, usage, and mechanical errors 0 1 2 3 4

● All WIP turned in (drafts and peer edits)

● FINAL essay submitted on publishing day
● EXTRA CREDIT Vocabulary: _____________ TOTAL: /40