Accelerated Language and Composition

PART 3: The Cause and Effect Essay (Up Draft)

Use this document to create your essay. When it’s due, you’ll put it all together in a separate word document.

Begin writing . . .

1. THE INTRODUCTION

Begin by telling us about the first time you saw the movie and where you were when you saw it.
Look at McMillan’s introduction for help. Your introduction should end with your thesis statement.
Try for 5 sentences.

WRITE YOUR INTRODUCTION BELOW. It should be about 3-5 sentences and end with the thesis you’ve
already created. (Remember, begin by telling us about the first time you saw the movie and where you were, who you
were with, etc):
I first watched this movie around the time it released in 2008, however, I was 4 years old at the time, so the most I
managed to gather from the movie were the cool robots and how pretty the space looked in the in-space sequences. But
this movie happened to be my mom’s favorite movie, so I watched it multiple times over the next couple of years. I think
that the first I ever saw a meaningful message in the movie is when I was around 8 years old, and the message I got was
the importance of recycling. This would eventually evolve into what my politics are today

(Did you end with your thesis?)

2. BODY PARAGRAPHS (2 paragraphs; 5-7 sentences each)

Write two body paragraphs where you discuss the specific effects of the movie on your life (helped you understand the
meaning of friendship, taught you that life is short, etc).

Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence THAT INDICATES AN EFFECT THE MOVIE HAD ON YOU.

In each paragraph, give at least one specific example of how the movie affected you. By specific, I mean, name names,
places, events. Tell the story!
Use appropriate transitions. To blend details smoothly in cause and effect essays, use the transitional words and phrases
listed below.
consequently, as a result, thus, resulted in, one result is, another is, therefore

FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH 1 (5-7 sentences)

Topic sentence: This movie made think and realize about how important keeping the planet clean was, and as a kid, I
wanted to help as much as I could

Example with specific details: So, when I was around 8 years old, I joined multiple campaigns that were organized by
either my school or my neighborhood, with the purpose of cleaning. I went to local parks and national parks to clean the
parks and do what I could to improve the environment

Connect back to how this “effect” was caused by the movie.

The way the planet is portrayed in the opening scene, the way it shows the planet completely covered in trash is what
started my sudden interest in recycling and taking care of the environment. Sadly, this enthusiasm for the environment
was short lived, as after just going to a couple events I stopped attending and lost all interest in it.

SECOND BODY PARAGRAPH 2 (5-7 sentences)

Topic sentence:
While the enthusiasm for recycling didn’t last as far as my actions went, the idea was still always somewhat in the back of
my mind, and it wasn’t until 9th grade that something actually occurred of off that idea. This year I started to become more
and more interested into politics, as I realized that in order to not only keep the world in a good

Example with specific details:

Connect back to how this “effect” was caused by the movie:

CONCLUSION (1 paragraph; 3-5 sentences)

Pick one or more of these “do’s”

Do Don’t
Ask a rhetorical question (a question where you don’t Simply restate your thesis statement
expect an answer, or you already know the answer)
Call for action. What should we do after reading your Focus on a minor point of the essay
memoir? Should we change our behavior? Consider
something?
End with a warning Add extra information that should have been in your body
paragraphs
Loop back to the background information in your Use the following phrases or similar, “In conclusion,” In
introduction summary,” or “In closing,”
Paint a strong image
Express your hopes
Point to the future
We’re going to borrow one sentence from McMillan to put in your conclusion. You’ll adapt it. It can show up
anywhere in your conclusion.
And what I remember feeling when she clicked those heels was that you have to have faith and be a believer, for real, or
nothing will ever materialize.

FILL IN THE BLANKS:

And what I remember feeling when (describe an action from the movie) was that you have to have (describe the main
lesson—the big thing—that you learned from watching the movie).

Be sure to add additional sentences before or after. Look at the chart above for help.