Subject: English 9 Fourth Quarter: Unit Four

Learning Module #: 1 Lesson: 1

Topic: Cause and Effect Relationship No. of Days: 3

I. INTRODUCTION
“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” –Isaac Newton

This quotation is from Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion, which you might have heard in one of your
Science classes. If we look at it, it also applies to our everyday life. For everything that we do, there will
always be a result or an effect.

In connection to this, you will learn to identify cause and effect in sentences and later, use it in
writing sentences.
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
 identify the cause and effect in sentences;
 compose sentences using cause and effect;
 judge the relevance and validity of news heard from news;
 realize the importance of wise decision making.

II. CONCEPT SUMMARY

 Cause and effect is a rhetorical style that discusses which events lead to specific results. A cause
is something that produces and event or condition. To find the cause, the reader may ask, “Why
did this happen?” An effect is the result from an event or condition. To find the effect, the reader
may ask, “What happened?”
 Signal words are signposts that help the reader understand the writer’s thoughts. They help
connect the ideas in a text or the events in a story. Different signal words can be used to
indicate cause (because, because of, since, as a result of, as a consequence of, due to) and effect
(so, therefore, this resulted in, consequently, hence, accordingly).
 In making decisions, it is important that we listen to our true conscience—that little voice
telling us what is right and what is wrong. In that way, our decisions will be morally correct or
right.

III. DISCUSSION/ ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

3.1. Concept Development
CAUSE AND EFFECT
Cause and effect is a rhetorical style that discusses which events lead to specific
results. A cause is something that produces and event or condition. It is the driving force
in the text. It is also the reason that things happen. To find the cause, the reader may ask,
“Why did this happen?” An effect is the result from an event or condition. It is the “what
happened next” in the text that results from the cause. To find the effect, the reader may
ask, “What happened?”
In summary, cause is why something happened and effect is what happened.

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 Cause Effect

SIGNAL WORDS OR PHRASES

Signal words are signposts that help the reader understand the writer’s thoughts.
They help connect the ideas in a text or the events in a story. Different signal words can
be used to indicate cause and effect. Here are some examples:
Cause (the WHY)
 Because
 Because of
 Since
 As a result of
 As a consequence of
 Due to

Effect (the WHAT)

 So
 Therefore
 This resulted in
 Consequently
 Hence
 Accordingly

EXAMPLES OF CAUSE AND EFFECT

1. Because the alarm was not set, we were late for work.
Cause: The alarm was not set.
Effect: We were late for work.
Signal Word: because (cause)
2. The moon has gravitational pull, consequently the oceans have tides.
Cause: The moon has gravitational pull.
Effect: The oceans have tides.
Signal Word: consequently (effect)
3. Since school was canceled, we went to the mall.
Cause: School was canceled.
Effect: We went to the mall.
Signal Word: Since (cause)
4. The baby was crying, so Dad picked him up.
Cause: The baby was crying.
Effect: Dad picked him up.
Signal Word: So (effect)
5. I learned to play the drums quickly because I took lessons from a pro.
Cause: I took lessons from a pro.
Effect: I learned to play the drums quickly
Signal Word: because (cause)
6. The weather forecast called for rain, so he took his umbrella.
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 Cause: The weather forecast called for rain
Effect: He took his umbrella
Signal Word: so (effect)
7. He broke his arm, so the doctor put it in a cast.
Cause: He broke his arm.
Effect: The doctor put it in a cast.
Signal Word: so (effect)

OTHER EXAMPLES:
1. Water is formed when two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom combine.
Cause: Two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom combine
Effect: Water is formed.
2. When the manuscript is edited, the company will publish it.
Cause: The manuscript is edited.
Effect: The company will publish it.
3. As the wind speed increases, the sail boat moves faster.
Cause: The wind speed increases.
Effect: The sail boat moves faster.
4. Tsunamis happen when tectonic plates shift.
Cause: Tectonic plates shift.
Effect: Tsunamis happen.

However, it is important to remember that a cause will not only generate one
result or effect. In some instances, 2 or more results may happen and vice versa.
For example:
“Because machines do human jobs, there are fewer jobs and products are cheaper.”

Another example:
“Because gum makes messes in the classroom and is a distraction, students
are not allowed to chew gum.”

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