University of Mostaganem

Department of English
Written Expression
L2 / G 03+06

Paragraph Development by Cause and Effect

What is A Cause and Effect Paragraph?

Cause and effect, as a method of development, is the search for the relationship between two
actions or two events, one of which we conclude is the reason for the other action or event.
A cause is what makes something happen. An effect is what happens as a result of something.

A ring diagram is useful to show causes and effects of something.

Causes Event/Situation Effects

Not studying Losing students’ aid
Not going to class Getting discouraged Dropping out
Not doing Failing a course
assignments Anger or depression
Not understanding and not
getting help

The following list of transitional Words may help you when writing about cause and effect

Common transitions for cause Common transitions for effect

Because………………………. accordingly…………………………..
Caused by…………………….. as a result, resulted in…………………
Given that……………………. consequently………………………….
Results from…………………. for this reason…………………………
The reason is that……………. so, so that……………………………..
Since ………………………… then, therefore, thus……………………
One/another cause, reason…… One/another effect, result……

The following paragraphs are about a single topic: headaches. One paragraph examines the
causes of a headache while the other describes the effects of recurring headaches. Read them,
and then answer the questions.

Cause: explaining why, giving reasons, understanding problems

1
Headaches can have several causes. Many people think that the major cause of
headache is nervous tension, but strong evidence suggests diet and environment as possible
factors. Some people get headaches because they are dependent on caffeine. Other people
may be allergic to salt, or they may have low blood sugar. Still other people are allergic to
household chemicals, including polishes, waxes, bug killers, and paint. If they can manage to
avoid these substances, their headaches tend to go away. When a person has recurring
headaches, it is important to look for the underlying cause, especially if the result of that
search is freedom from pain.
- What causes a headache?

Effect: predicting results, understanding consequences, suggesting solutions

Recurring headaches can have several disruptive effects on a person’s life. Severe
headaches are more than temporary inconveniences. In many cases, these headaches make a
person nauseated to the point that he or she must go to bed. Sleep is often interrupted because
of the pain. This worsens the physical and emotional state of the sufferer. Those who try to
maintain a normal lifestyle often rely on drugs to get through the day. Such drugs, of course,
can have negative side effects. Productivity on a job can certainly be reduced, even to the
point of regular absences. Finally, perhaps the most distressing aspect of all this is the
seemingly unpredictable occurrence of these headaches. The interruption to a person’s family
life is enormous: plans canceled at the last minute and relationships with friends and family
strained. It is no wonder that many of these people feel discouraged and even depressed.
- What are some effects of headaches?

Exercise: Read the following paragraph, then answer the questions.

The next time that you get a cold, do not blame the weather; blame your hands.
Although many people think that cold weather causes colds, the weather is not the real cause.
Colds are caused by viruses that are transmitted primarily from the hands to the eyes or nose.
When you come in contact with someone who has a cold or with something that the person
with the cold has touched, you often pick up germs on your hands. For example, when a
cashier with a cold gives you change, the coins may carry the cold germ. When you later rub
your eyes or your nose, you pass the germ on to yourself. Elementary schools and day-care
centers are breeding grounds for colds because children are in close contact with one another
in confined spaces. They touch the same desks, computer keyboards, and lunch tables. The
children can then infect their family members at home. Colds are more common in the winter
only because during the cold weather, windows are closed and less fresh air circulates. There
are only two known ways to cut down on getting colds: Never come into contact with anyone
or anything, or wash your hands with warm water and soap, often. What is your choice?

1. Underline the topic sentence.

2. What is the writer’s purpose?
3. What are three causes of colds?
4. What are two effects explained in the paragraph?
5. Rewrite the concluding sentence using your own words.
Exercise : Fill in the blanks to write a cause and effect paragraph.
TOPIC SENTENCE: I did not do my homework assignment, but after you hear my reason, I
hope that you will not mark me down for not having done it. FIRST CAUSE: Yesterday
morning, _________________________________________ . DETAIL ABOUT FIRST
CAUSE: Believe it or not, I had to ___________________________________________ .
SECOND CAUSE: Later that day, _________________________________________
DETAIL: It was so bad that __________________________________ . THIRD CAUSE:
Then, last night, _________________________________________. DETAIL: I had to
__________________________ . EFFECT: As a result of all these things,
_________________________________________________________________.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: I hope you can see ___________________________ , and
__________________________________________________________________ .
Exercise : Fill in the two outlines with the detailed examples or explanations of causes
or effects.
1. TOPIC SENTENCE: Several factors caused me to break up with my best friend.

FIRST CAUSE:
DETAILS:
SECOND CAUSE:
DETAILS:
THIRD CAUSE:
DETAILS:
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: Ending the relationship was not easy, but …………………………. …….

2. TOPIC SENTENCE: I never expected so much to happen as a result of my decision to …………..

FIRST EFFECT
DETAILS:
SECOND EFFECT:
DETAILS:
THIRD EFFECT:
DETAILS:
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: All of this reminded me that ……………………………………………
Exercise: In each sentence, separate the cause/problem/reason from the effect/
solution/result.
1. More than half of the mothers with children under one year of age work outside the
home which has resulted in the unprecedented need for day-care in this country.
Cause……………………………………………………………………………………
Effect……………………………………………………………………………………
2. In 1995, two-thirds of all preschool children had mothers who worked, and four out of
five school-age children had working mothers, facts that led to increased strains on the
day-care system.
Cause……………………………………………………………………………………
Effect……………………………………………………………………………………
3. In one national survey, over half the working mothers reported that they had either
changed jobs or cut back on their hours in order to be more available for their children.
problem…………………………………………………………………………………
solution…………………………………………………………………………………
 4. Many mothers who work do so only when their children are in school, while other
mothers work only occasionally during the school year because they feel their children
need supervision of a parent.
Cause……………………………………………………………………………………
Effect……………………………………………………………………………………
5. Many mothers experience deep emotional crises as a result of their need to combine
the financial obligations of their home with their own emotional needs as parents.
Problem…………………………………………………………………………………
Result………………………………………………………………………………….

Exercise: Write a cause and effect paragraph using one of the following topics ; then,
complete the checklist that follows the list of topics.
Causes of failing a course Effects of wars
Causes of divorce Effects of corruption
Causes of drugs addiction Effects of having a job you like
Causes of anxiety Effects of stress

CHECKLIST
Evaluating your cause-and-effect paragraph
! My topic sentence includes my topic and whether I am writing about causes, effects, or both.
! I have written details about causes or effects so that my readers will understand them.
! I have included transitions to move readers smoothly from one cause or effect to the next.
! I have reread the paragraph, making improvements and checking for grammar and spelling
errors.
! This is the best that I can do.

Source : Scarry, S and Scarry, J (2002) The Writer’s Workplace with Readings