Cause & Effect: Focus on Cause & Chain Reaction
You can also focus on cause — the topic sentence states a result or problem, and the body explains the reasons behind it. A special pattern is the chain reaction, where one cause produces an effect, which becomes the cause of the next effect, and so on.
Signals of cause: because, since, due to, the reason is, results from. Signals in a chain: thus, which leads to, in turn, the end result is, this forces.
Example (focus on cause — job discrimination):
Why do American working women complain about job discrimination? Statistics suggest there is a basis for their grievances. Because women are still underrepresented in male professions — only 9.4% of engineers, 17.4% of doctors — and because their median earnings are lower, they have reason to complain.
Example (chain reaction — smoking):
The presence of nicotine in the bloodstream causes blood vessels to contract, thus slowing circulation, a condition which eventually leads to hardening of the arteries. As the arteries stiffen, less blood reaches the brain, and the end result is a stroke.
| Step in the chain | |
|---|---|
| Smoking cigarettes | → nicotine in bloodstream |
| Blood vessels contract | → slowing circulation |
| Hardening of arteries | → less blood reaches the brain |
| → Stroke |
Tip: In a chain reaction, each effect is the cause of the next. Use linking words like thus, in turn, which leads to to show the links clearly.
Common mistake: Breaking the chain by jumping steps. Keep every link in order so the reader can follow cause → effect → new cause → effect.
✏️ Test Yourself
1. A topic sentence stating the result, with reasons in the body, is ___ on cause.
2. "Because, since, due to" are signals of ___ .
3. In a chain reaction, each effect becomes the next ___ .
4. "Thus, in turn, which leads to" link a ___ reaction.
📒 Words to learn
Meaning — The act of accusing or suggesting that someone is involved in a crime or wrongdoing.
“His incrimination was based on my testimony.”
Meaning — To secretly plan with others to do something illegal or harmful.
“shah dad has conspired to take revenge from Balach.”
Meaning — To take on or accept a role, responsibility, or characteristic without definite proof.
“I assumed that she has done this for your betterment.”
Meaning — To discard or get rid of something, often something considered to be of little value.
“These two fellows are always scrapping over something.”
Meaning — The quality of being obstinate or unwilling to change one's mind or course of action.
“his error was sheer stubbornness in refusing to admit a mistake.”