WRITING A CAUSE-EFFECT PARAGRAPH

SAMPLE ANALYSIS

Read the two model paragraphs and follow the instructions.

1. Underline the topic sentence of each paragraph.

Smoking
Smoking has many serious effects(1). The most obvious effect is the deterioration of a smoker's
health. Smoking increases the risk of lung disease, increases blood pressure, increases the risk
(paraphrase củ a “effect”) of heart attacks, and reduces the flow of oxygen to the brain. Smoking
creates respiratory problems. A smoker's cough expels phlegm, thick mucus in the nose and the throat
that wants to escape the body. Prolonged use may lead to emphysema and the need to hook up to a
machine to pump enough oxygen into the lungs. Another effect of this habit is that smoking breeds
halitosis; a smoker's breath always smells foul and repulsive. Smoking frequently results in social
isolation because fewer people smoke or want to be in the presence of second-hand smoke. Friends
and acquaintances often bluntly tell their smoking friends that they don't want the smell in their cars
or in their homes. The strong, offensive odor of smoke clings to smokers' clothing, hair, and skin. The
final effect of smoking is that it depletes the pocketbook. Smoking is now an expensive habit, and the
price of cigarettes continues to rise. The effects of smoking are many, which leave one wondering why
intelligent people do not find a way to break their harmful addiction themselves.
Sample 2

In recent decades, cities have grown so large that now about 50% of the Earth's population lives in
urban areas. There are several reasons for this occurrence(1). First, the increasing industrialization of
the nineteenth century resulted in the creation of many factory jobs, which tended to be located in
cities. These jobs, with their promise of a better material life, attracted many people from rural areas.
Second, there were many schools established to educate the children of the new factory laborers. The
promise of a better education persuaded many families to leave farming communities and move to the
cities. Finally, as the cities grew, people established places of leisure, entertainment, and culture, such
as sports stadiums, theaters, and museums. For many people, these facilities made city life appear
more interesting than life on the farm, and therefore drew them away from rural communities.

WRITING GUIDE
A cause is what makes a particular thing happen. An effect is what results from a particular situation,
activities, or behavior. You write cause-effect paragraphs when your purpose is to help readers
understand why something happened or is happening, or when you want to show readers how one thing
affects something else. You can also use cause-effect writing to predict future events.
The main difference you may have when planning a cause-effect paragraph is making sure that a causal
relationship exists – that one event caused another event and did not just precede it in time. Another
problem is considering all possible causes and effects, not just the most obvious or most important ones.
As you write, assess the importance of the causes or effects you discuss; don’t make the particular cause
or effect seem more significant than it actually is, just to strengthen your case.
* The first paragraph identifies effects

The topic sentence identifies the effect the paragraph will discuss. After mentioning one relatively minor
cause of the problem (the cost of paper), the paragraph goes on to analyze the primary cause of the
problem- illiteracy.

* The next paragraph discusses causes

The topic sentence identifies the cause of problem the paragraph will consider. The paragraph then goes
on to discuss two effects- the second more important than the first of the trainer’s actions.

Focus on Causes Focus on Effects

Cause #2 SITUATION SITUATION Effect #2

Cause #3 Effect #3

Be careful not to confuse the words affect and effect. Affect is a verb meaning “to influence’’. Effect can be
a verb meaning “to bring about” or a noun meaning “result”.

LANGUAGE GUIDE: Cause-Effect Structural Signals

In addition to listing signals (first…, second…, finally, …….; the first cause-effect…, the second cause-
effect…., the final cause-effect…), certain other basic structures are used commonly in writing paper
cause-effect paragraphs.

Group 1: Sentence Connectors

These are words and phrases used to join two complete grammatical sentences. A semicolon (;) is often
used before a sentence connector. However, since each of the sentences can stand alone and be
considered grammatically correct, a period (.) can also be used after the first sentence. In either case, a
comma (,) is used after the sentence connector.

In some areas, water levels as a result, these areas will no longer be able to
will fall; consequently, support industry.
therefore,
because of this,
hence,

Group 2: Conjunctions

Unlike Group I signals, conjunctions of cause and effect are always preceded by commas. Because the
sentences generally do not stand alone, a period is not used between them.

In some areas, water levels will fall, so these areas will no longer be able to
support industry.
Some areas will no longer be able to for water levels will have fallen in these areas.
support industry,
Group 3: Clause Structures

The following examples consist of signals whose parts are separated: so … that, such … that, and such a …
that.

be so great that
happen so fast that
The rise in temperature dry out so much land that these areas will no
will destroy so many crops that longer be able to
cause such terrible damage that support industry.
cause such extended droughts that
cause such a severe heat wave that

Group 4: Phrase Structures

Because a phrase (a group of words) is not a complete sentence, it must be connected to the main
sentence.

Because of
Due to the increased heat, agricultural patterns will change.
As a result of
In view of

Group 5: Predicate Structures

The predicate of a sentence includes everything from the verb to the end. In this group of structures, the
cause-effect relationship is indicated either by the verb or the words following it.

cause
result in
be the reason for
Changes in water levels will changes in living patterns.
be responsible for
contribute to
lead to
 result from
be a result of
Drastic changes in
be a consequent of changes in water levels.
living patterns will
be due to
follow from

Group 6: Participial Phrases

Notice that the participial phrases in the following box (1) have no subjects, and (2) contain verbs which
are in the –ing form. Since a participial phrase has no subject, it must be connected to the main sentence.
Some of the structures in Group 4 can be used to create such phrases.

causing
Water level will change, leading to changes in living patterns.
contributing to
resulting in

Water level will change. This leads to changes in living patterns.

PRACTICE

Practice 1: First, think of a cause or an effect. Then, combine each pair of cause and effect, using an
appropriate sentence connector. Make any change if necessary.

A: What’s the effect?

Cause: Every year, thousands of people move to big cities in search of work or education opportunities.

Effect:

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B: What’s the cause?

Cause:

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……………………………………………………………………Effect: Every year, thousands of people move to big cities in
search of work or education opportunities.

Combined:

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Practice 2: First, think of a cause or an effect. Then, combine each pair of cause and effect, using an
appropriate conjunction. Make any change if necessary.

A: What’s the effect?

Cause: Streets at rush hours become packed with private vehicles.

Effect:

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cause?
Cause:

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……………………………………………………………………Effect: Streets at rush hours become packed with private
vehicles.

Combined:

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Practice 3: First, think of a cause or an effect. Then, combine each pair of cause and effect, using an
appropriate clause structure. Make any change if necessary.

A: What’s the effect?

Cause: population, increase, rapidly.

Effect:

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……………………………………………………………………Combined:

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B: What’s the cause?

Cause:

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……………………………………………………………………Effect: traffic congestion, more frequently.

Combined:

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Practice 4: First, think of a cause or an effect. Then, combine each pair of cause and effect, using an
appropriate phrase structure. Make any change if necessary.

A: What’s the effect?

Cause: a lack of green space

Effect:

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……………………………………………………………………Combined:

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B: What’s the cause?

Cause:

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Effect: High-
rise apartment buildings have mushroomed over the past decades.

Combined:

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Practice 5: First, think of a cause or an effect. Then, combine each pair of cause and effect, using an
appropriate predicate structure. Make any change if necessary.

A: What’s the effect?

Cause: overcrowding in large cities

Effect:

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B: What’s the cause?

Cause:

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overcrowding in large cities

Combined:

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Practice 6: First, think of a cause or an effect. Then, combine each pair of cause and effect, using an
appropriate participial structure. Make any change if necessary.

A: What’s the effect?

Cause: Urban population has increased dramatically.

Effect:

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……………………………………………………………………Combined:

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………B: What’s the
cause?

Cause:

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……………………………………………………………………Effect: contribute, CO2 emissions

Combined:

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GRAMMAR ATTENTION: What’s wrong with the following sentences?

the competition for employment become very intense.

2. More and more people are moving to large cities to seek jobs. As a result, urban

areas have become overcrowded.

3. There is not enough green space in the citie; thus/. Thus, most people choose to stay

indoors for relaxation.

4. The government is trying to relocate some businesses. Because the area has become

extremely vulnerable to development.

WRITING TASK

Choose one of the following topics and write a paragraph (150-200 words) about it. Decide on the aspect
of the topic (controlling idea), i.e. causes/effects, you would like to discuss. Then, list at least three
possible causes/effects, and think about how you can support those causes/effects. Use the outline below
to help you generate ideas.

1. Causes or effects of overpopulation in big cities

2. Causes or effects of migration to the cities

3. Causes of effects of construction of skyscrapers

Outline:

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