Write a cause-effect essay that tells how one event (the cause) leads to another event (the effect).
A cause is something that produces an issue of cultural stagnancy.
An effect is what results from an issue of cultural stagnancy and/or cultural progression.
The purpose of the cause-and-effect essay is to determine how various phenomena relate in terms of origins and results.
No need to use guides for this essay. Your use of guides will be required again for the final research project.
Looking ahead: Essay 3 will be about counterarguments and oppositions to your thesis; thus, to avoid overlap, do not discuss counterarguments and oppositions in Essay 2.
ESSAY 2 READING LIST
Kirszner, Laurie and Stephan Mandell. “Chapter 10: Cause and Effect.” Patterns for College Writing: A Rhetorical Reader and Guide.12th Edition. Bedford St. Martins, 2018 pp. 315-331
ESSAY 2 REQUIRED RESEARCH
You must have a minimum of 5 credible, reliable, sources which dates within the last 20 years.
You are allowed to use more internet sources; however, you must have 5 from IVC databases (credible, peer-reviewed sources).
Do not re-use, repeat, nor recycle any sources from Essay 1.
If you must re-use a source, it will just not count towards the 5 required.
Each source must pass the CRAAP Test.
How to apply CRAAP Test How to Evaluate Credible Sources
ESSAY 2 OUTLINE (rubric, grading criteria, skills required)
In a specific, clear, cohesive, thesis statement, explain the main events and their causal relationship to your problem. Your thesis should declare whether your topic focuses mainly on causes or mainly on effects? Why? Justify and explain your selection.
Select 1 column to fill out to create an outline organization: 1 effect & 4 causes -or- 1 cause & 4 effects.
Do not pick both organizations.
Your essay may be in chronological order, but it is not required.
Your essay must have a minimum of 5 body paragraphs.
Each body paragraph must serve a different function and purpose to support your thesis.
Body paragraphs #2, 3, 4, 5 may be in any order of your liking to best serve your thesis.
Each topic sentence must clearly signal main, immediate, contributory, and remote causes or effects.
You’re welcome to have more than one immediate, contributory, or remote causes or effects.
Ideally, each body paragraph will feature analysis of a different source.
MLA or APA in-text citation: at least 2 pieces of textual evidence (quotes or paraphrase) per body paragraph.
Organization
Structure
What is the singular EFFECT?
An essay with a singular EFFECT is an essay with at least 4 CAUSES (sources; roots; origins): 1 effect and many causes (main, immediate, contributory, remote causes).
What is the singular CAUSE?
An essay with a singular CAUSE is an essay with at least 4 EFFECTS (outcomes; consequences): 1 cause and many effects (main, immediate, contributory, remote effects).
Introduction
Non-rhetorical hook
Background context
Preview Causal Chain
Thesis:
2-3 sentence thesis statement that reflects your selection of 1 effect & 4 causes Why? Justify and explain your selection.
Transition Sentence
Non-rhetorical hook
Background context
Preview Causal Chain
Thesis:
2-3 sentence thesis statement that reflects your selection of 1 cause & 4 effects. Why? Justify and explain your selection.
Transition Sentence
Body Paragraph #1
Preview the Causal Chain:
What is the singular EFFECT?
An essay with 4 CAUSES
(sources; roots; origins):
Preview the Causal Chain:
What is the singular CAUSE?
An essay with 4 EFFECTS
(outcomes; consequences):
Body Paragraph #2
Focus of essay
Main Cause: most obvious
Focus of essay
Main Effect: most obvious
Body Paragraph #3
Secondary focus
Immediate Cause:
closely precedes an cause
Secondary focus
Immediate Effect:
closely precedes a main effect
Body Paragraph #4
Tertiary focus
Contributory Cause:
underlying the immediate cause
Tertiary focus
Contributory Effect:
underlying the immediate effect
Body Paragraph #5
Cultural Blind Spot
Remote Cause: least obvious
Cultural Blind Spot
Remote Effect: least obvious
Conclusion
(2 parts)
Part ONE:
In fresh words:
Essay Recap
Thesis Review
Part TWO:
Provide concrete, detailed, insight on both macro (global; idealistic) & micro (personal; realistic) levels.
Micro: How does recognition of the causal chain affect an individual / local reader?
Macro: How does recognition of the causal chain affect a larger community/ global reader?
Part ONE:
In fresh words:
Essay Recap
Thesis Review
Part TWO:
Provide concrete, detailed, insight on both macro (global; idealistic) & micro (personal; realistic) levels.
Micro: How does recognition of the causal chain affect an individual / local reader?
Macro: How does recognition of the causal chain affect a larger community/ global reader?
NOTE: The micro and macro insight part of the conclusion is a tool to help students develop their critical thinking skills. If the words “local” and “global” does not serve your topic, I suggest that you modify how to zoom in and out of your topic. Come up with 2 variables of comparison that best serves your individual topic. It would be a swooping generalization to conclude that it affects everyone, of different roles, equally. Most importantly, the micro and macro insight allows writers to practice teasing out the nuances of a problem.