Eng 101 SS15

Causal Techniques

Causal Techniques

What are the elements of a

Causal essay?
Purpose
Patterns
Reasoning Errors
Ethics
Thesis and details

Purpose

Cause
Probes the reasons why actions, events,
attitudes, and conditions exist

Effect
Examines consequences of causes

Explain historical events, natural

happenings, actions and attitudes of
individuals and groups
Help readers anticipate the
consequences of personal actions,
natural phenomena, or government
policies

Patterns
Single cause produces several effects
Might discuss cause then effects or
effects then cause
I. Poor language skills
II. Body
A. Cant keep up with required
reading
B. Cant take adequate notes
C. Cant write competent papers

Patterns

Several causes produce one effect

Might discuss effect then causes or causes
then effect

I. Decrease in U.S. zinc production

II. Body
A. produced more cheaply abroad
B. replaced on cars by plastics, lighter
metals
C. cannot be recycled

Patterns

Causal Chain

Each event is effect of preceding one and the

cause of the following one
Help explain how devices function and how
some social changes proceed
Similar to process analyses which is
concerned with HOW events occur...causal is
concerned with WHY events occur

II. Body
A. sleep late
B. miss breakfast
C. become hungry and distracted
D. perform poorly on exam

Patterns

Multiple Cause-Multiple Effect

Sequence of causes and effects is too complex to fit

image of chain
Present causes then effects or effects then causes

Topic: accident
II. Body
A. causes of the accident
1. driver ran stop sign
2. Bushes and unlit headlights impaired
vision
3. Wet pavement caused skidding
B. Effects of the accident
1. missed the movie
2. Unnerved so missed classes next day
3. Other driver lost license

Reasoning Errors
Ignoring multiple causes
An effect rarely stems from a single
cause
Mistaking chronology for causation
Dont assume that just because one
event followed another that the first
necessarily caused the other
(chronology)
Confusing causes and effects
Pam and Paul married because they fell
in love; in reality it was an economic
necessity, and love came later.

Ethics
Forcing a particular outcome by uncovering only
certain causes
Report blaming poor instruction for high
student failure rate neglects oversized classes,
socioeconomics
Carefully weighed importance of chosen causes
If a few, but not most, of the classes in the
problem school system are oversized, then
report shouldnt stress their significance
Discuss every important effect (even one that
damages point)
Report emphasizing the beneficial effects of
jogging must discuss potential for energy
Consequences of people acting upon essay
Call to action

Thesis & Details

Thesis statement
Identifies the event to be explained or
effects to be considered
Explains importance of understanding
the causes or effects
Offers a summary of the major causes
or effects
Details
Not just a bare-bones discussion of
causes and effects or a list
Vivid description used

For Monday...
Apply your assigned comparison
elements to each of the following
readings. Be prepared to extensively
discuss your findings with the class.
Caroline Knapps Why We Keep Stuff
Chris Mooneys The Science of Why We
Dont Believe Science
Luscombe & Stinchfields Why We Flirt.

Purpose
Kam, Pamela
Patterns
Chad, Anthony, Ce-Ce
Reasoning Errors
Blanche, Grace, Unique
Ethics
Ryan, Karen, Misty