1)      Ask a question related to your semester research theme that takes the form of

a)      What are/were the causes of ____________________________________?

OR

b)     What are/were/are likely to be the results of ________________________?

2)      Use at least two reliable research sources from the Internet to provide answers to your question. You may use readings we have done in class as sources in addition to your two Internet sources.

3)      Use APA format to type your paper and document your sources.

Your grade for this essay will be computed as follows:

Appropriate cause and effect research question:               20%

Selection and use of reliable sources:                                     20%    

Content, organization and coherence of the essay:            20%

Correct APA format:                                                                    20%

Correct and intelligible grammar and mechanics:                20%

Essay Type #3: Analyzing Cause and Effect           

A. The causes of an outcome:

I. Introduction: introduce the outcome that you are going to explain. Explain why your topic is interesting or important. Provide background information that your reader might need to understand your topic. In your thesis statement, describe the outcome and briefly list the causes that you are going to discuss.

II. Body of the Essay: Discuss the causes that led to the outcome. Use a paragraph for each cause. Save the most important for the last.

III. Conclusion: Summarize the causes that led to the effect. Place your topic in a larger context by relating it to present or future events. You may give your opinion about the most likely cause or causes, but be careful to qualify your statements.

OR

B. The outcomes of a cause:

I. Introduction: introduce the situation whose results you are going to discuss. Explain why your topic is interesting and important. Provide background information that the reader might need to understand your topic. In your thesis statement, describe the cause and briefly list the outcomes.

II. Body of the Essay: Discuss the outcomes from the cause. Use a paragraph for each outcome. Same the most important for last.

III. Conclusion: Summarize the outcomes. Place your topic in a larger context by relating it to present or future events. You express an opinion on the topic at this point, but be careful to qualify your statements.

Problem to avoid: Use only material which describes either the cause or the effect. Do not introduce other information that is not connected to a cause or an effect.