Cause and Effect: Explaining Why

Cause + Effect = Causation

Cause probes the reasons why actions, events, attitudes, and conditions exist.

Effect examines their consequences.

Cause

Massive plates that make up the earth’s surface move, putting great pressure on the rocks at the plates‘ edges. Sometimes the pressure becomes too great for the rocks to bear.

Effects

Rocks along the edges break and shift when pressure becomes too great, creating an earthquake.

The earthquake releases energy in the form of waves or vibrations.

The waves shake the earth’s surface, buildings, and bridges, sometimes causing great damage.

Thesis

making a cause-and-effect relationship clear

"Great pressure along the edges of the earth’s moving plates causes rocks to break and shift, creating an earthquake that can bring its destructive shock waves to the earth’s surface."

Organizing Causes and Effects

either cause-to-effect or effect-to-cause

Transitions: Connecting Your Events

Cause and Effect

 as a result

because

consequently

 due to

if, then

since

 so

therefore

thus

Degrees of Certainty

 certainly

likely

maybe

 necessarily

possibly

probably

 undoubtedly

unquestionably

of course

  

Patterns of Causal Analysis

Single Cause—Multiple Effect

I. Introduction: identifies cause

II. Body

A. Effect number 1

B. Effect number 2

C. Effect number 3

III. Conclusion

Multiple Cause—Single Effect

I. Introduction: identifies effect

II. Body

A. Cause number 1

B. Cause number 2

C. Cause number 3

III. Conclusion

Causal Chain

I. Introduction

II. Body

A. Cause

B. Effect

C. Cause

D. Effect

III. Conclusion

Reasoning Errors in Causal Analysis

Ignoring Multiple Causes

An effect rarely stems from a single cause.

Mistaking Chronology for Causation

Don’t assume that because one events follows another the first caused the second.

Confusing Causes with Effects

Scan your evidence carefully in order to avoid faulty assertions.