Cause/Effect Essay Assignment

Your next essay will use a “cause/effect” organizational pattern.  Choose a topic from Practice 6 pp. 105-106.  Keep in mind that these are general topics; you will need to consider whether you will discuss causes, effects, or both in your essay.  If you are writing about a problem, you may wish to suggest a solution in your conclusion, but the purpose of the essay is not to provide or explain solutions.  In the introduction, be sure to provide necessary background information; if you are writing specifically about a situation in your country, do not assume that your audience knows much about your country or events there. 

You will not use outside sources in this paper, so choose a topic that you know enough about to write a complete essay. 

Specific requirement:

  • 750 to 1000 words, typed, double-spaced, 12 font

Criteria for Evaluation:

  1. The writer follows cause/effect essay structure: an introductory paragraph with an attention-getter, general comments, and a thesis statement; body paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting sentences; and a concluding paragraph that contains a restatement of your main ideas and concluding comments.
  2. The writer uses phrase and clause length transitions between paragraphs and transitions between ideas within paragraphs. The writer uses transitions that signal cause and effect relationships between ideas.
  3. The writer organizes the body paragraphs logically, and each body paragraph develops only one main idea.  The writer includes specific details and examples to support his or her main ideas.
  4. The writer’s grammar and language choices do not interfere with comprehensibility.

Due Dates:

Tuesday, September 25:          Write a short, informal paragraph on your blog telling me about the topic you have chosen.

Tuesday, October 2:                Show me your rough draft.  You may have time to work on it in                                                      class, so have access to an electronic copy.

Thursday, October 4:              Bring two copies to class for peer review.

Tuesday, October 9:                Essay due.

We will not hold conferences for this paper, but if you would like to discuss it with me, please make an appointment.  You may use the Writing Center at any stage of this assignment; if you do, please turn in the white sheet from the Writing Center along with your essay.