EwnnomaeiTaL sTuDES Business, econovacs, Hisrone Peveuo.oer oa thenian siver tora drachma, 4th century 8 Another common patter of essay organization is called cause and effect. In a cause/ effect essay, you discuss the causes (reasons) for something, the effects (results), or both causes and effects. You might use cause/effect organization to answer typical test questions such as these: Explain the deotine in reading ability among scheolehildron Discuss the effects of global warming on the environment. Discuss NAFTA and its effects on the U.S, economy. Discuss the causes of the U.S. Civil War. Explain the causes and effects of the “Stockholm syndrome.” ‘American Free Trade Agreement, a trade agreement among Canada, Mexico, and theChapter 6 | Cause/Effect Essays 95 Organization for Cause/Effect Order Block Organization You can organize a cause/efiect essay in two main ways: “block” organization and “chain” organization. In block organization, you first discuss all the causes as a block (Gn one, two, three, or more paragraphs, depending on the number of causes). Then ‘you discuss all the effecte together ar a block. You oan diseuss either causes or effects first. Of course, you can also discuss only causes or only effects. In block organization, a short paragraph often separates one major section from another major section. This paragraph is called a transition paragraph. Its purpose is, to conclude one section and introduce another section. You do not always have to write a transition paragraph, but itis helpful when your topic is long and complex. For example, an essay about global warming might include several paragraphs about the causes and several paragraphs about the effects, with a transition paragraph between the two blocks. - Essays that discuss mainly (or only) causes or mainly (or only) effects might have a transition paragraph between blocks of different kinds of causes or between blocks Of different kinds of effects. For example, you might use a transition paragraph to separate the personal effects of our increased life expectancy from its many effects ‘on the economy. In short, a block-style cause/effect essay could have many different patterns. ‘Some possibilities are shown below. Block Organization A B invodustion Introduction ‘st cause “Tanstion paragraph = 2nd cause) “Tanstion paragraph ee ‘ist effect, _ ath cause Bact effect I Conclusion err c D introduction introduction Elles Tstefect Bnd effect Sid effect “ath effect L. Conclusion Conclusion As you read the following model essay, try to determine which of the patterns the model essay follows: A, B, C, of D.96 Part Wl | Writing an Essay Cause/Effect Essay (Block Organization) ‘Shyness + Ifyou sutfer from shyness, you are not alone, for shyness is a universal phenomenon.’ According to recent research, “close to 50 percent of the general population report that they currently experience some degree of shyness in their lives. In addition, close to 80 percent of people report having felt shy at some! point in their ives” (Payne, par. 3)" As shyness is so prevalent in the word, itis ‘hot Surprising that social scientists are leaming more about its causes. They have found that shyness in an individual can result from both biological and environmental factors. 2 Recent research reveals that some individuals are genetically predisposed to? shyness. In other words, some people are born shy. Researchers say that between 15 and 20 percent of newborn babies show signs of shyness: they are quieter and more vigilant. Researchers have Identified physiological differences between sociable and shy babies that show up as early as two months. In one ‘study, two-month-olds who were later identified as shy children reacted with signs of stress to stimuli such as moving mobiles' and tape recordings of human voices: increased heart rates, jerky movements of arms and legs, and excessive crying. Further evidence of the genetic basis of shyness Is the fact ‘that parents and grandparents of shy children more often say that they were shy as children than parents and grandparents of non-shy children (Henderson and Zimbardo 6). 8 However, environment can, at least in some cases, triumph over biology. AA shy child may lose much of his or her shyness. On the other hand, many people who were not shy as children become shy as adults, a fact that points {0 environmental or experiential causes. ‘4 The first environmental cause of shyness may be a child's home and family life, Children who grew up with a difficult relationship with parents or a dominating older sibling are more likely to be inhibited in social interactions. Another factor is the fact that today's children are growing up in smaller and smaller families, with fewer and fewer relatives living nearby. Growing up in single-parent homes or in homes in which both parents work fulltime, children may not have the socializing ‘experience of frequent visits by neighbors and friends. Because of their lack of social skils, they may begin to feel socially Inhibited, or shy, when they start ‘school (7). ‘5 Assecond environmental cause of shyness in an individual may be one’s couture. In a large study conducted in several nations, 40 percent of participants in the United States rated themselves as shy, compared to 57 percent in Japan ‘and 8 percent in Taiwan. Of the countries participating in the study, the lowest percentage of shyness was found in Israel, where the rate was 31 percent. "phenomenon: occurence or fect (plural: phenomena) "Payne, Karen S, “Understanding and Overcoming Shyness.” Califomia Insitute of Technology Counseling Center. 7 Nav. 2004 Spredispased to likely get “mobiles: a oy tat hangs over a baby's bed with moving shapes Henderson, Lynne, and Philip Zimbardo. “Shyness” Encyclopedia of Mental Healt. 8 Oct. 2004 -quupfiwwwshynessconveneyelopediahuml>, inhibited: se-consious, shyChapter 6 | Cause/Effect Essays 97 Researchers Henderson and Zimbardo say, "One explanation of the oultural difference between Japanese and Israelis lies in the way each culture deals with attributing credit for success and blame for failure. In Japan, an individual's performance success is crecited externally to parents, grandparents, teachers, ‘coaches, and others, while failure Is entirely blamed on the person.” Therefore, Japanese learn not to take risks in public and rely instead on group-shared decisions. “in Israel, the situation is entirely reversed,” according to Henderson and Zimbardo. *Failur is externally attributed to parents, teachers, coaches, friends, anti-Semitism, and other sources, while all performance success is, credited to the individuals enterprise.” The consequence is that Israelis are free 10 take risks since there Is nothing to lose by trying and everything to gain (10). 8 Invaddition to family and culture, technology may play a role as well. in the: United States, the number of young people who report being shy has risen from 40 percent to 50 percent in recent years (10). The tising numbers of shy young people may be “due in part to the growing dependence on non-human forms of communication, corning about as a result of our huge advances in technology” (Payne, par. 4). Watching television, playing video games, and surfing the Web have displaced recreational activities that involve social interaction for many Young people. Adults, too, are becoming mors isolated as a result of technology. Face-to-face interactions with bank tellers, gas station attendants, and store Clerks are no longer necessary because people can use machines to do their banking, fil their gas tanks, and order merchandise. College students take online felecourses. Telecommuters work at home, giving up daily contact with ‘coworkers. Everyone texts, e-mails, and converses anonymously’ in online chat rooms. AS a result, people have less opportunity to socialize in person, become increasingly awkward at it, and everitually start avoiding it altogether. In short, they become shy. 7 While being shy has some negative consequences, it has positive aspects, too. For one thing, it has been mentioned that shy people are good listeners ('Shyness") Furthermore, a university professor writing about his own shyness ‘says, “Bacause of their tendency toward self-eticism, shy people are often high achievers, and not justin solitary activities like research and writing. Perhaps ‘even more than the drive toward independent achievement, shy people tong to ‘make connections to others, often through altrustio® behavior” (Benton).° 8 To sum up, shyness has both genetic and environmental causes. Some people come into the world shy, while others become shy as a result of their ‘experiences in life. It appears that most people have experienced shyness at some time in their lives, and recent research indicates that the number of shy people is increasing. Therefore, it you are shy, you have lots of company. anonymously: without telling one's ame shyness. in, the Free Encyclopedia, 7 Nov. 2004 , “altruistic: unselfish, benevolent "Benton, Thomas H. "Shyness and Academe.” San Francisco Chronicle: Chronicle of Higher Education ‘Carers Section 24 May 2004. 7 Nov. 2004 .98 Part | Writing an Essay PRACTICE 1 Block Organization Concwsion Chain Organization ‘Writing Technique Questions Is the topic of this essay primarily the causes or the effects of shyness? Which paragraph(s) discuss(es) the causes? Which paragraph(s) discuss(es) the effects? What two subtopics are named in the thesis statement? Which paragraph(s) discuss(es) the first subtopic? Which paragraph(s) discuss(es) the second subtopic? ‘What is the function of paragraph 32 Which pattern (A, B, C, or D) does the model follow? Fill in the boxes to show the block organizational pattern of the essay. Write in the topic of each paragraph and tell whether it is a cause or an effect. The first two boxes. have been filled in for you. ‘Thesis statement: They have found that shyness in an individual can result from both biolegical ‘and environmental factors. ee ee — The other organizational pattern you can use to write about causes and effects is chain organization. In this pattern, causes and effects are linked to each other in a chain. One event causes a second event, which in turn causes a third event, which in tum causes a fourth event, and so on. Each new cause and its effect are links in a chain, Depending on the complexity of the ideas in each link, you can devote an entire paragraph to one link, or you may include several links in one paragraph, or you may describe the entire chain in one paragraph. Chain organization usually works better than block organization when the causes and effects are too closely linked to be separated. Notice the chain pattern in the following diagram. oc an a ican 4Chapter 6 | Cause/effect Essays 99 Tntroduation How Fertile Land Becomes Desert Cause v Effect People move into new areas and clear land for agriculture by cutting down tees, ‘The tree roots no longer hold the soil in place. ‘The trae roots do not hold the soll in place. ‘The topsoil washes away during heavy rains. ‘The topsoil washes away during heavy rains. ‘There is no good soil to grow crops in. ‘There is no good soll to grow crops in, People move to new areas and clear land for agriculture by cutting down trees. Cause/Effect Essay (Chain Organization) ‘The following short essay describes a simple chain reaction. SAD 1 Years ago, medical researchers identified a psychological disorder that they appropriately named Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. People who suffer from SAD become very depressed during the winter months. Doctors now Understand the causes of this condition, which affects millions of people, particularly in areas of the far north where winter nights are long and the hours of daylight are few. : 2 SAD results from a decrease in the amount of sunlight sufferers receive. Doctors know that decreased sunlight increases the production of melatonin, a sleep-related hormone that is produced at increased levels in the dark. Therefore, when the days are shorter and darker, the production of this hormone increases. Shorter, darker days also decrease production of seratonin, a chemical that helps transmit nerve impulses. Lack of’seratonin is known to be a cause of depression (*Seasonal” HH, par. 1)! Depression may result from ‘the resulting imbalance of these two substances in the body. Also, doctors, believe that a decrease in the amount of sunlight the body receives may cause a disturbance in the body's natural clock ("Seasonal” NMHA, par. 2)!Doctors bolieve that the combination of chemical imbalance and biological clock disturbance results in symptoms such as lethargy, oversleeping, weight gain, anxiety, and iritability—all signs of depression. 9 Since absence of light seems to be the cause of this disorder, a dally dose of light appears to be the cure. Doctors advise patients to sit in front "sSeasona Affective Disorder The Healthy House Lad, 30 Nov, 2004 Seasonal Affective Disorder” National Mental Health Association. 30 Nov. 2004 . lethargy: inactivity; tiredness100 Part Wi | Writing an Essay of a special light box that simulates" natural light for a few hours every day. ‘An hours walk outside in winter sunlight may also help (par. 4). 4 In-conclusion, the depressive effect of low sunlight levels may help explain the high suicide rate in the Scandinavian countries; more important, it may ‘suggest a remedy: When the days grow short, turn on the lights. Writing Technique Questions 1, Which paragraph contains the chain of causes and effects? 2. What is the effect of decreased sunlight in winter? 3, What other change results from a decrease in the amount of sunlight? 4, What is the final result? PRACTICE Fill in the boxes to complete the flowchart, which illustrates the cause/effect chain eae described in the model essay “SAD.” Organization [Body produces more and, + |. too. UES EE SE ee Lethargy, oversieeping, weight galn, antely,abiity The type of cause/effect organization you choose depends on your topic. + A chain pattem is usually easier if the causes and effects are very closely interrelated. You might use a chain pattern to write about the causes of a particular disease or phenomenon in nature such as a thunderstorm or a rainbow. + The block pattern is usually easier with larger, complex topics such as global warming or homelessness. + Sometimes you will want to use a combination of block and chain organiza- tion. The model essay on pages 96-97 uses block organization, but in paragraphs 4, 5, and 6, you will find chain organization, 'simulatess imitates siecleChapter 6 | Cause/Effect Essays 101 Cause/Effect Signal Words and Phrases Just as certain transition signals show time order and logical division, certain words and phrases signal cause/effect relationships. You probably know many of them already. Cause Signal Words Coordinators tor ison were indspensable tothe Naive American ties, for ths one animal provided them with nearly everything they needed for survival: meat, clothing, shel, tools, end weapons. Note: Wnen used in his way, forhas the same meaning as because. However, you MUST tse comma infront of for, and you MUST NOT vse a comma in ont of Because Subordinators s because Bison were indispensable to the Native American tribes because/sinee/es ths one animal since provided them with neay everthing they needed for survival: met, clothing-aheter, tools, as and weapons. Others ‘to reoult from “The Bison's near extinction resulted from/was the result of loss of hablat and tobe the reauttot | ovecunting. due to Bison nearly became extinct due ta/because of loss of habitat and overhuntng because of the effect of One ettectot/consequence of westward expansion was the desticton of habitat the consequence of | fortne son, as a result of The areas in which bison could roam rely shrank as a result offs a consequence of a a consequence of | the westward expansion ofthe 1800s, PRACTICE 3 Step 1 Underline the part of the sentence that states a cause, 7 Step 2 Circle the word or words that introduce the cause. Recognizing Cause Signal Step 3 Be able to discuss the use of each word or phrase you have circled. Words ‘What kind of grammatical structure follows each one? Notice especially the difference between the use of because and because of. ‘The first one has been done for you as an example. 1, The computer is a leaming tool Gine®)t helps children to master math and language skills. (After since, we must use a clause with a subject and a verb.) 2. Due to the ability of computers to keep records of sales and inventory, ‘many big department stores rely on them. 3. A medical computer system is an aid to physicians because of its ability to interpret data from a patient’s history and provide a diagnosis. (How would you rewrite this sentence using because instead of because of?) 4, War, famine, and ethnic violence have caused a flood of refugees in the past 50 years.Effect 102 Part "1 | Writing an Essay 5. Hollywood movies are known for their special effects because U. audiences seem to demand them, 6. Since European audiences seem to prefer movies that explore psychologi- cal ot philosophical issues, European movies are generally quieter and ‘more thought-provoking. 7, Smog results from chemical air pollutants being trapped under a layer of warm air. 8. John’s promotion is the result of his brilliant management skills and company loyalty. le is known about life on the ocean floor, for scientists have only recently developed the technology to explore it. 10. Holes are created in the protective ozone layer of the stratosphere as a result of the burning of fossil fuels. jgnal Words ‘Transition Words and Phrases fas a result ‘Workers building the new transcontinental railroad nesded meat; as a result/as a \ ‘asa consequence | consequence/therefore/thus/consequently/ence, hunters killed bison by the | therefore thousands. ‘thus ‘Note: Notice the difference between as a result and as a result of. As a result consequently is followed by a full sentence (independent clause) and introduces an efect. hence As a result of Is followed by a noun phrase and introduces a clause, Coordinators 80 Native Americans began trading bison skins to the settlers for steel knives and guns, 0 they began kiling bison in axger numbers, Others ‘to result in Loss of habitat and overhunting resulted in/caused the near extinction of bison. to cause to have an effect on to affect the cause of the reason for thereby ‘The reduced numbers of bison had a terrible effect on/affected the lives of the Native Americans who had depended on them for survival ‘The rescue of the bison from near extinction is a cause offa reason for celebration. ‘The 85 bison that survived were given refuge in Yellowstone National Park in 1892, thereby saving this species from total extinction. Note: Thereby is most frequently used in front of ~ing phrases. PRACTICE 4 Recognizing Effect Signat Words Step I Underline the part of the sentence that states an effect. Step 2 Circle the word or words that introduce the effect, Step 3 Be able to discuss the use of each word or phrase that you have, circled. What kind of grammatical structure follows each one? How is the sentence punctuated?