Causal Analysis: Cause and Effect

An analysis of causes or circumstances that lead to a given result: the logical connection between an event and its consequences. Breaks down the component parts and evaluates. Tells why.

Purpose

·Informative: present the causes

·Speculative: suggest possibilities

·Persuasive: persuade audience of a

Thesis: The writer’s stated position, the cause or effect the writer considers most important, the points being addressed, and the emphasis: Focus may be on cause, effect.

·Focus on cause: Analyze the cause that produces the result, the “why.”

·Focus on effect: The cause is given: Determine the effect that might result or has resulted.

·Both cause and effect: Start with the effect, then discuss the cause; or start with the cause, then look at the effect, however, focusing on either the cause or effect is more effective

Note: Avoid logical fallacies: post hoc and hasty generalization

Introduction

Attention getter, introduction of subject and situation, necessary background information, thesis with three points that are to be addressed.

Organization

·Chronological

·Emphatic

·Order of familiarity

·Order of interest

·Order of Importance

·Main cause then contributory causes

·Contributory causes then main clauses

·Negative effects then positive effects

·Dismiss events that are not causal then discuss actual causes

·Most obvious causes then less obvious causes

Support: Use factual and logical evidence: reasons, examples, facts, details, statistics, experience, quotation

Transitions: because, because of, for, since, as, as a result of, thus, therefore, consequently, because, result from, lead to, bring about, produce, effect, rationale, result, relation, correlation,

Do not confuse words like because, therefore and consequently (indicating a causal relationship), with words like subsequently, later, and afterward (chronological relationship words)

Causal Relationships

·Necessary: The cause must be present for the effect to occur

·Sufficient: The cause can produce an effect unaided, though there may be more than one sufficient cause for a given effect

·Contributory: The cause helps produce the effect but can not do so by itself

·Main: The most important

·Contributory: Less important

·Immediate: Closely precedes effect

·Remote: Less obvious because it involves something from a distance of space or time

·Causal Chain: A series of cause-effect relationships; the links in the chain must be clear

Conclusion

Extends the insights offered through one of the following: synthesis, implication/consequences, or projection/prediction.