TASK 2

CAUSE-EFFECT
THIS LECTURE COVERS:
1. Discuss a sample cause-effect essay
2. Steps to write a cause-effect essay
3. Cohesion & coherence
4. Cause-effect language
5. Cause-effect template
5. Practice
6. Homework
7. Essay checklist
WTH?
DISCUSS A SAMPLE C&F ESSAY
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In many parts of the world today there is a profitable market for products
which lighten or whiten peoples skin.
Outline the reasons for using such products and discuss what effects they
have in terms of health and society.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your
own experience or knowledge.
You should write at least 250 words.
DISCUSS A SAMPLE C&F ESSAY
In many countries, particularly places like Asia, skin whitening products are incredibly popular and
provide huge profits for the companies involved in their sale. This essay will examine the reasons
why people use these products and the effects this has on peoples health and on society.
The principal reason that people use skin whitening products is because whiter skin is seen to be
more desirable than darker skin. To understand why, we need to firstly look at history. In ancient
times, those people of a higher status tended to stay indoors, whilst people of a lower status
worked outside, usually farming. As a result, those people who were indoors had much lighter skin,
which means that whiter skin is now associated with having a higher status than dark skin.
Another reason, which is partly related to this, is the desire for the Western look. For example,
plastic surgery to creat western eyelids and noses is common in Asia, and the white skin is part of
this. These beliefs and images are also perpetuated in the media, with adverts showing people with
white skin as more successful and attractive.
However, despite the fact that having whiter skin may improve a persons self-esteem, these
products can have negative effects. Regarding health, there are reports that people are harming
their skin permanently as some products bought over the counter have prescription-strength
ingredients. For instance, some contain steroids or toxins which can severely damage the skin and
other parts of the body. In terms of society, there are also detrimental effects. Such behaviour
perpetuates the belief that white is better than black, and thus those with darker skin may
experience discrimination.
In conclusion, people use whitening products due to the fact that white skin, usually through the
media, is portrayed as more desirable. However, steps should be taken to change this image as the
drawbacks of this are clear, with potentially dangerous consequences for peoples future health and
society as a whole.
(328 Words) Score: 7/9
DISCUSS A SAMPLE C&F ESSAY
Answer these questions:
1. What are the causes? What signals help you indentify these
causes?
2. What are the effects? What signals help you identify these
effects?
3. Why does the writer use however at the beginning of para 3?
4. Does the writer give his/her opinion in the introduction?
5. What does the conclusion discuss?
STEPS TO WRITE A C&F ESSAY
1. Brainstorm causes & effects for a
problem (3 minutes)
2. Make an outline (7 minutes)
3. Write based on the outline (25 mins)
4. Proofread (5 minutes)
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
In many parts of the world today there is a profitable market for products
which lighten or whiten peoples skin.
Outline the reasons for using such products and discuss what effects they
have in terms of health and society.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your
own experience or knowledge.
You should write at least 250 words.
STEPS TO WRITE A C&F ESSAY
Fact: using products which lighten or whiten peoples skin.
Cause:
- beautiful, attractive, easy to find lovers
- Highter status
- Western look
Effect:
- Harmed skin
- Misbelief & discrimination
- Deformed national beauty
BRAINSTORM
STEPS TO WRITE A C&F ESSAY
OUTLINE
Outline 1
1. Introduction: cause & effect
2. Main body:
a. Subtopic 1: 1
st
main cause
- reasons
- ex:
- effect:
b. Subtopic 2: 2
nd
main cause
- reasons
- ex:
- effect:
c. Subtopic 3: effects
- detail:
- ex:
3. Conclusion: cause & effect +
comment (recommendation,
prediction)
Outline 2
1. Introduction: cause & effect
2. Main body:
a. Subtopic 1: 1
st
main cause
- reasons
- example
- effects
b. Subtopic 2: 2
nd
main cause
- reasons
- example
- effects
3. Conclusion: cause & effect +
comment (recommendation,
prediction)
STEPS TO WRITE A C&F ESSAY
OUTLINE
Outline 1
1. Introduction: cause & effect
2. Main body:
a. Subtopic 1: Higher status
- Work less and enjoy more
- ex: Ancient times
- effect: respect & priority
b. Subtopic 2: Western look
- shows that youre in vogue
- ex: Asian pop singers
- effect: everyone looks the
same, lose national identity
c. Subtopic 3: harmed skin;
discrimination
- detail: .
- ex: Skin cancer; bullying in
citiy schools
3. Conclusion: cause & effect + comment
(recommendation, prediction)
Outline 2
1. Introduction: cause & effect
2. Main body:
a. Subtopic 1: 1
st
main cause
- reasons
- example
- effects
b. Subtopic 2: 2
nd
main cause
- reasons
- example
- effects
3. Conclusion: cause & effect +
comment (recommendation,
prediction)
STEPS TO WRITE A C&F ESSAY
WRITING BASED ON OUTLINE
[Introduction]
In many countries, particularly places like Asia, skin whitening
products are incredibly popular and provide huge profits for the
companies involved in their sale. This essay will examine the
reasons why people use these products and the effects this
has on peoples health and on society.
Alternatives:
- Examine = discuss = analyse = give an insightful research into
- Reason = cause
- Effect = consequence = result = influence = impact
- Passive structure: A number of reasons along with possible
effects of this problem will be carefully discussed in this essay.
STEPS TO WRITE A C&F ESSAY
WRITING BASED ON OUTLINE
[Body para 1]
The principal reason that people use skin whitening products is
because whiter skin is seen to be more desirable than darker skin. To
understand why, we need to firstly look at history. In ancient times,
those people of a higher status tended to stay indoors, whilst people of
a lower status worked outside, usually farming. As a result, those
people who were indoors had much lighter skin, which means that
whiter skin is now associated with having a higher status than dark
skin. Another reason, which is partly related to this, is the desire for
the Western look. For example, plastic surgery to creat western
eyelids and noses is common in Asia, and the white skin is part of this.
These beliefs and images are also perpetuated in the media, with
adverts showing people with white skin as more successful and
attractive.
STEPS TO WRITE A C&F ESSAY
WRITING BASED ON OUTLINE
[Body para 2]
However, despite the fact that having whiter skin may improve a
persons self-esteem, these products can have negative effects.
Regarding health, there are reports that people are harming
their skin permanently as some products bought over the counter
have prescription-strength ingredients. For instance, some
contain steroids or toxins which can severely damage the skin and
other parts of the body. In terms of society, there are also
detrimental effects. Such behaviour perpetuates the belief that
white is better than black, and thus those with darker skin may
experience discrimination.
STEPS TO WRITE A C&F ESSAY
WRITING BASED ON OUTLINE
[Conclusion]
In conclusion, people use whitening products due to the fact
that white skin, usually through the media, is portrayed as more
desirable. However, steps should be taken to change this image
as the drawbacks of this are clear, with potentially dangerous
consequences for peoples future health and society as a whole.
COHESION & COHERENCE
CAUSE-EFFECT LANGUAGE
CAUSE-EFFECT LANGUAGE
CAUSE-EFFECT LANGUAGE
CAUSE-EFFECT LANGUAGE
CAUSE-EFFECT LANGUAGE
CAUSE-EFFECT TEMPLATE
Intro
has been a growing cause for concern for some time/
There is no doubt that However, This essay
will examine the reasons why .. and the effects this has
on .
Conclusion
In conclusion, .. due to the fact that However,
steps should be taken to change this image as the drawbacks
of this are clear, with potentially dangerous consequences for
..
CAUSE-EFFECT TEMPLATE
Cause paragraphs
A number of reasons have been put forward to explain this
trend/problem, but by far the most important, I feel, is
.. Take .. for instance. .This leads to .
Therefore, Another reason, which is partly/also
closely related to this, is .. To illustrate, . This
results in . Consequently, .
Effect paragraphs
The effects for this have been and will continue to be very
serious. Firstly, It is clear that ., so
Another effect which also has a great impact is , which
means . It could even be worse that ..
PRACTICE
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Present a written argument to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge
of the following topic.
The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by
almost 20% in the last ten years.
Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
experience or knowledge.
You should write at least 250 words.
Time frame:
1. Brainstorming: 3 minutes
2. Outlining: 7 minutes
3. Writing the introduction: 5 minutes
4. Writing the body paras: 15 minutes
5. Writing the conclusion: 5 minutes
6. Proofreading: 5 minutes
HOMEWORK
Essay prompt 1
The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by
almost 20% in the last ten years.
Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
experience or knowledge.
You should write at least 250 words.
Essay prompt 2
Fast food is becoming more and more popular.
Discuss the causes and effects of this trend.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own
experience or knowledge.
You should write at least 250 words.
ESSAY CHECKLIST
ESSAY CHECKLIST