Write an essay describing a cause/effect event or process.

Cause/effect essay
Write an essay describing a cause/effect event or process. Choose between a chain, multiples causes OR multiple effects format. For this paper, you may also substitute reasons for causes.
TOPIC: the current pandemic with COVID-19. The topic can be personal or researched.
If you decide to do research, narrow down the topic. “The Effects of the COVID-19 crisis on American universities” is far too broad. “The top three reasons students prefer face-to-face classes to online ones ” is narrowed down. (Notice this is further narrowed down to the “top three” or “most frequent.” There are many reasons but you need to have a reason yourself for choosing the ones you do.)
CHAIN: You should have four to six steps in your chain (no more). Each step should begin with a transition statement that follows the structure of “Because X happened, Y resulted.”
Example: “Because the alarm clock was broken, I woke up late for work. As a result of my getting up late, I missed the bus….” Etc.
Use the cause/effect transitions such as “because,” “as a consequence,” “as a result,” etc.
MULTIPLE CAUSE OR MULTIPLE EFFECT: In one of these, find three separate causes or three effect. Each will be its own developed paragraph.
Use transitions such as “first,” “second,” “in addition,” etc.
LENGTH: 600 to 800 words
STRUCTURE: Have an introduction and conclusion in addition to your body paragraphs. These should be three to five sentences long. Use one of the techniques listed in the introductions and conclusions handout. Label which technique your are using.
SENTENCES: Use concrete words and vary sentence structure.
DEVELOPMENT: Use details and specific examples to support your thesis and topic sentences.
OUTLINE: Include a short outline with the paper that shows its structure. At the top of the outline, state your thesis. Use the traditional outline format.
I.
A.
1.
a. etc.
b.
2.
B.
SOURCES: If you choose to do an essay using sources, include the sources in in-text citations. You can use APA style. Include a list of sources at the end of the paper.
“According the Environmental Protection Agency, the number of nuclear waste grounds….”
FORMAT: Use Times Roman font, 12 font size. Double or 1.5 space paragraphs. Do not double or have extra space between paragraphs! Indent paragraphs.

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