Cause and Effect Essay

Cause and Effect Essay                     

Task

For this essay, you are to write an essay explaining the causes and/or effects of a situation. The essay should have a strong thesis that is defended though the essay.

Grade weight

15% of your final grade/150 points

Essay Type

• Causes and Effect Essay
• Students will choose their own topics.

Length

900 to 1,200 words  (Points will be deducted for essays less than 850 words)

Point of View

3rd person/ Here are links to a resources that explain more:

• https://www.capella.edu/interactivemedia/onlinewritingcenter/downloads/handoutWritingInThirdPerson2007.pdf
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6o2IsHGc98

Audience

Academic tone suitable for a college educated audience

Sources

• Three (3) sources are required.
• One (1) source must come from the PGCC databases
• A Works Cited page must be attached with the sources listed alphabetically in MLA format.

Recommended Structure

• Introduction- have a hook, enough background to orient your reader, and a thesis that identifies whether you will focus on causes, effects or both.
• Body -Discuss various links in the causal chain, either tracing it backwards from effect to first cause, or beginning with the first cause. • Use transitions to ANALYZE the process rather than simply providing what amounts to a glorified play-by play narration (also know as process) • Present the causes chronologically and without missing links.
• Conclusion • Return to thesis, then speculate on possible first causes to right a bad effect or possible other causes that might have destroyed or otherwise altered the good effect.

Formatting

MLA- 12pt Times New Roman, 1-inch margins

• Here is a video to help with formatting in Microsoft Word

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4dTc9Fpy0Q

• Here is the link to get your PGCC free Microsoft Office 365 https://ask.pgcc.edu/TDClient/1778/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=49723 

Resources

• Reading: Successful College Writing Chapter 18
• Assignment Rubric