Cause and

Effect Essay
When you hear “Cause and Effe
ct” - What do you
think of?
- How and why something happens.
- Domino effect
- Consequences of actions

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Cause and effect Signal Words
× because × due to the × this led to /
× so fact leading to
× since × as a result × on account
× consequently × the reason of
× therefore for × which
× due to × for this causes /
× thus reason causing

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Examples Green = Cause
Red = Effect

The boy missed the test at school because he was

sick.
• As a result of the ice on the sidewalk, the girl fell.
• Since the man was speeding, he got a ticket.
• The girl didn’t do her homework. Consequently,
she had to miss recess.

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Find the signal phrase Underline = Signal word/phrase
Green = Cause Red = Effect

• It was raining, so the trip to the beach was cancelled.

• The food in the refrigerator spoiled because the
electricity went out.
• Lightning hit the pine tree, which led to its falling and
blocking the road.
• Susan didn’t read the recipe carefully, and thus her
cookies did not turn out as she had expected.

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 Turn
and talk!
Share out with a partner at your table your own personal
example of cause and effect.

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 Green = Cause
Red = Effect

Historical and Scientific Caus

e and Effect
• Many scientists believe that the extinction of the dinosaurs
occurred as a result of a large meteorite hitting the Earth millions of
years ago.
• Tsunamis are created when tectonic plates under the ocean shift,
leading to an underwater earthquake.
• The Stamp Act enraged the colonists, which caused the
Revolutionary War.
• John attached a copper wire to each terminal of a battery and
then to a light bulb. Due to the fact that copper is a conductor, the
light bulb went on.

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 Underline = Signal word/phrase
Green = Cause Red = Effect

Historical and Scientific exam Find

ples cont. sig the
wo nal
• resulted in global warming. rds
.
• When water molecules come into contact with a heat source, they
begin to move very quickly, causing the water to boil.
• The Exxon Valdez oil spill dumped thousand of gallons of oil into the
ocean, leading to devastating long-term effects on the seal population
in Alaska.

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 s e e n t f ec t
Ca u E v Ef
Peter Parker Peter parker gets Peter parker
gets bit by a super powers becomes
radioactive from the spider spiderman
spider bite

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Cause Effect
Dislike math Get a zero on the
assignments. assignment

Event

Affects performance on
Not doing math homework next test because
Lost worksheet
student is not familiar
with the concept.

Get in trouble with

parents because this is
Feeling lazy the 8th missed
assignment this
trimester.
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