Cause and effect essays

A cause-effect essay explains the causes (Why

happens?) and the effects (What happens?)
of certain actions, situations or behavior.
 Cause and effect essays
Block organization Point-by-point organization
• Introduction • Introduction
Thesis statement: The purpose of Thesis statement: The purpose of this
this essay is to discuss the main causes essay is to discuss the main causes of …
of … and analyze the effects of … and analyze the effects of …
• Body • Body
Paragraph 1: cause 1 + support, cause Paragraph 1: cause 1 + support + effect 1
2 + support, (cause 3 + support) + support
Paragraph 2: effect 1 + support, effect Paragraph 2: cause 2 + support + effect
2 + support, (effect 3 + support) 2+ support
• Conclusion (Paragraph 3: cause 3 + support + effect
3 + support)
•
 Cause and effect essays (page 12)
To introduce causes To introduce effects
• The main / prior cause why … • Therefore
• One of the most significant reasons • Thus
why … • It results IN
• attribute … to – объяснять,
• As a result,
приписывать
• E.g. Many • Consequently,
individuals attribute memory loss to • As a consequence,
aging. • trigger - провоцировать, вызывать
• because of – из-за • leads to
• due to the fact that – из-за, по
причине
• since
 Practice
1. A new teacher talked very fast. None of the students could
understand her.
2. The driver wasn’t able to avoid a road accident. He was talking
on his mobile phone.
3. Multitasking can be dangerous while driving. It makes the driver
lose his or her concentration.
4. Playing video games, children develop their reading skills. Young
gamers have to read instructions in order to be able to play a
game.
5. The task was so difficult. Nobody in class could solve it.
 Cause and effect essays
• To affect (influence, impact) – verb
Adverbs: significantly, adversely, unfavourably, directly,
negatively
E.g. Playing video games every day for long periods of time
can negatively affect people’s eyesight.

• Effect (result) – noun

E.g. Playing video games may have a negative effect on
people’s eyesight.
 Causes and effects of credit culture

Write about at least two causes and two effects of

taking loans from a bank.

Write 230 words.

Use at least one sentence beginning with It is

claimed/believed/known…
 Causes and effects of immigration

In recent decades millions of people flee their

homeland to settle down in a different country. What
are the causes of that movement and what are its
effects on the host country?
Write 230 words.