BAB 2

1. What is a Cause and Effect Essay?

A cause and effect essay is a special type of essay that shows the way in which the main core
lies in the final paragraph or can be said that the essay in detail is explained first in what
causes the event and then at the end of the explanation.

Sentences built using cause and effect usually involve an action that is making something
happen and the result of that action. You can usually find sentences built this way by key
words and phrases they use: so, since, as a result of, because, therefore. It’s also important to
note that the cause is usually written before the effect is, but there are rare cases when the
effect will be written first
a) Example 1:
It had begun to rain so Sally and Jake had to run inside.
Cause: It had begun to rain.
Effect: Sally and Jake had to run inside.
Key word: so
b) Example 2:
We went to the grocery store because we needed sour cream, eggs, and milk.
Cause: We needed sour cream, eggs, and milk.
Effect: We went to the grocery store.
Key word: because
c) Bad Example:
Jeremy was sick because Sally went to school the next day with a cold.
Cause: Sally went to school the next day with a cold.
Effect: Jeremy was sick today?
How can Jeremy be sick when the cause of his sickness is Sally’s cold that he does not
actually catch until the next day? Unless Jeremy is a time traveler, there is little chance
that he is sick from something that will happen to him in the future. It is in your best
interest to avoid sentences like the one above as they will make your argument invalid.
2. The structure of cause/effect essay

Here are three patterns that exist when writing a causal essay :

a. "Multiple Causes, One Effect" pattern

In this pattern contains five paragraphs where first there is an introduction, 3 paragraphs
of causes and final conclusions. in each paragraph it leads directly to the effect, so each
paragraph is immediately given effect.

b. "One Cause, Multiple Effects" pattern

this pattern is used where one cause has several effects / effects. This pattern contains the
same five paragraphs with the "one clause, one effect" pattern.

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 c. "Causal Chain (Domino)" pattern

Pola ini disebut juga sebagai pola rantai. pada pola ini ada tujuh paragraf di mana saja
paragraf menyebabkan satu akan diikuti paragraf menyebabkan satu pula.

3. How to write cause/effect in essay

1.Choose your topic
2.Suppoting sentences (supporting sentences of causation)
3.Create an outline. This will help improve organization and coherence in your essay.
4. Concluding sentences
4. Tips for writing Cause & Effect Essays
1. Make sure your thesis statement
Indicates whether the essay will discuss causes or effects(or both).
Examples of thesis statements :
a) The chief causes of dissatisfaction among the workers in the office where I spent my
placement are low wages, sexual harassment and boredom.
b) The beneficial effects of my annual canoe trip include reduced stress, increased
fitness, and improved family relationships.
2. STRONG THESIS STATEMENT

A strong thesis statement for a cause-effect essay indicates whether the essay
focuses on causes or on effects. Sometimes the thesis statement uses the words
cause(s) or effects(s), but this is not necessary if either the cause or the effect is
implied in the statement. In addition, a thesis statement sometimes includes a number,
such as three causes or two effects, but this is also optional.

F
o
c Example Thesis Statement
u
s
O Many customers prepare to shop online for three important reason.
n The increase in obesity in our country is due to food commersials,
cheap fast food, andvideo games.
C
a
u
s
e
s
O This essay will discuss the effects of watching too much TV on
n children’s Family life, interpersonal skills, and school life. Most
people are not aware of the positive effects of simply walking for 20

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 E to 30 minutes per days.
f
f
e
c
t
s

1.What is the order of the causes/effects you are writing about? (i.e. the least important
to the most important, or vice versa.)
2.Avoid faulty logic. Make sure that there is an actual link between the causes and effects
being presented. (i.e. ask yourself if you have assumed a cause/effect relationship
where there is none.)
3.Fully support all your statements. Back up main points with clear examples and facts
(statistics or quotations may also be used).
4.Conclude by re-emphasizing the importance of your main point,final
comment/solution/prediction/advice/suggestion.

5. Kinds of Transitional signal word of cause/effect

 Cause / Condition / Purpose

These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions.

Cause condition purpose

in the event that with this in mind in view of
granted (that) in the hope that If
as / so long as to the end that ... then
on (the) condition for fear that unless
(that) in order to when
for the purpose of seeing / being that whenever
with this intention in view of
with this in mind If
in the hope that ... then
to the end that unless
for fear that when
in order to whenever
seeing / being that while
because of
as
since
while
lest

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 / Consequence / Result

Some of these transition words (thus, then, accordingly, consequently, therefore,

henceforth) are time words that are used to show that after a particular time there was a
consequence or an effect.
Note that for and because are placed before the cause/reason. The other devices are
placed before the consequences or effects.

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 Consequence Result
 as a result then
under those circumstances hence
in that case consequently
for this reason therefore
in effect thereupon
for forthwith
thus accordingly
because the

6. Conclusion to write essai

A. Read and understand the question/ the essay prompt carefully

B. Pick a Good Topic
C. Create/ Draft Your Outline

Sample Outline
• Introduction paragraph:
First sentence
o Thesis statement
• Body paragraph:
o Give statistics (optional, dapat digunakan atau tidak)
o Information on the subject
o Research on the topic
o Relevant data if any
• Conclusion paragraph:
o Restate your thesis statement
o Support arguments
o Write a call to action