READING AND WRITING

Grade 11
MR. MARSEILLE MAURICIO
Content Standard: The learner realizes that information in a written
text may be selected and organized to achieve a particular purpose.
Performance Standard: The learner critiques a chosen sample of each
pattern of development focusing on information selection,
organization, and development.
Most Essential Learning Competencies: Compare and contrast
patterns of written texts across disciplines.
LESSON 4: READING & THINKING STRATEGIES:

CAUSE AND EFFECT,

PROBLEM-SOLUTION
CAUSE AND
EFFECT
Reasons and results are two
things that interest readers.
Thus, it is important for writers
like you to learn how paragraphs
of this kind should be developed.
We have learned in our previous lesson that the use of
comparison and contrast in developing paragraph is
very effective when you want to show similarities and
difference between two ideas.
Cause and Effect is a text development pattern which
explains why something happens.
It also states what results a particular event produces.
It usually gives a statement emphasizing the cause and
another emphasizing the effect.
The following guide questions can be used for cause-
effect development:

• Why did it happen?

• What caused it?
• What does it cause?
• What are the effects?
• How is it related to something else?
Signal Words for CAUSE-and-EFFECT

due to consequently
for hence
because of so
resulted from therefore
since this resulted in
EXAMPLES:
The continuous disappearance of tamaraws resulted from
overhunting.

Poverty rises due to overpopulation.

Locals needed meat for consumption; consequently, native

hunters kill tamaraws.

Corrupt politicians are still in existence, hence poor families

multiply.
PROBLEM-SOLUTION
In this lesson, you are expected to plan, structure, and
write interesting and meaningful paragraphs applying the
problem-solution pattern in your essays about different
topics, issues or recent developments in various fields.
In with your previous learning about cause-and-effect
pattern of development, you can readily write a full-
blown essay addressing any issue that interests you.
After answering the “why” and the “what happened”,
we now move on to the “how” – how will we do things
and how can we resolve issues or concerns around us.
A problem/solution essay presents a problem, usually
discussing several aspects of the problem, then
concludes by discussing solutions to the problem. The
problem may be addressed in the following ways:
The solutions may be presented in various ways and you have to think about which way would
be the most appropriate for the particular problem you are discussing.
Here are some ways to present solutions:

Preventive • Ways to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place.
measures • For example: How to prevent Covid-19

A series of steps • Suggest the easiest and most obvious solution first, but if that doesn’t
work, try something else, etc.
• For example: if you have a neighbor who does not wear mask nor
practice social distancing, you might first talk to him/her; if that
doesn’t work, arrange for a mediator; etc. (a last resort might be to call
the police.)
Advice • Give some advice and helpful hints.
A choice of • Include solutions that have already been tried, have been unsuccessful,
solutions and new solutions which you are proposing.
The following transitional devices can also help you develop your text.

Introduction Middle Conclusion

Section/Body
• Nowadays… • For instance… • In conclusion…
• It is a common trend • Such as/like… • To conclude…
that… • Namely… • To sum up…
• Society is becoming
increasingly concerned
about…
 No More Traffic Jams
       There is nothing worse than being trapped in your car, waiting in the middle of a traffic jam. It is frustrating,
knowing that there is nothing you can do and that you are going to be late to work. Traffic jams often occur during
rush hour or right after a large event because there are more cars on the road than normal. Traffic jams can also be
caused by car accidents or road construction. They usually occur on major roads that many people use to travel to
work or school. Traffic jams are a problem because they make people late for work or school, they can cause car
accidents, and they are frustrating. How can we reduce the number of traffic jams? Possible solutions include
carpooling or using public transportation. The best way to solve traffic jams is by using public transportation
because it will be efficient, economical, and reliable.
    
First, using public transportation is efficient. A bus is a very efficient way to move lots of people from one
place to another using only one vehicle. Instead of having one vehicle for each person on the road, busses take
many cars off the road as people ride together. Trains are even more efficient at reducing the number of cars on
the road. Because trains have their own dedicated rail system to get people around, all of the cars are eliminated
without adding any more traffic to the roads. Not only are busses and trains more efficient at carrying passengers,
but time spent on a bus or a train is more efficient for the passenger. This encourages more people to use public
transportation. It is easy to see how efficient public transportation is and the impact that it has on reducing traffic.
 Another reason that public transportation is the best solution to traffic jams is because it is so economical. People
want to use public transportation instead of driving their own car because they can save money. Public
transportation usually does not cost very much, especially for people who use it often. There are discounts for
seniors and students, which makes it an even more economical way for these groups to travel around town. Using
public transportation also eliminates the need to pay for parking, car insurance, and car maintenance, not to
mention gasoline. All of the expenses related to owning a car are replaced with one simple fare. Because it is so
economical, public transportation is a good solution to traffic jams by encouraging more people to travel together
and reduce the number of cars on the road.

       Finally, public transportation is the best solution because it is reliable. Many people set up carpools to reduce
traffic, but this is only a temporary solution. Every time someone has a change in their schedule, the carpool needs
to be adjusted. For example, if someone has to go to the doctor or sleeps in, the carpool will not work that day. If
someone changes jobs or transfers to a new school, the carpool will need to be adjusted again. Public
transportation, on the other hand, is more reliable. The bus and train schedules don’t change every time that one
rider needs to go to the doctor. The schedules are set and people can plan on them. People who use public
transportation will find that it is reliable and can help limit the number of cars on the road.
    
 Because it is efficient, economical, and reliable, public transportation is the best way to reduce the number of
traffic jams. There are other possible ways to address this problem, but using public transportation is clearly the
best. Traffic jams during very busy hours on the road can be reduced and more people can get to work on time and
avoid the frustration caused by sitting in the middle of a long line of cars. Cities and governments should consider
ways to improve their public transportation system and encourage more people to use it. If they do, they will
surely see fewer traffic jams on their roads and much happier drivers.