W5B. Cause-and-Effect Paragraph

Quiz | Flashcards

1. Summary

1.1 Introduction to Cause-and-Effect Paragraphs

A cause-and-effect paragraph is a piece of writing that explains the relationship between events or ideas. It serves to show a reader why something happened (the cause) and what happened as a result (the effect). This type of writing is crucial for explaining processes, analyzing events, and arguing a point by demonstrating consequences. A key principle is to maintain a clear focus: a single paragraph should explore either the causes of one effect or the effects of one cause, but not both simultaneously.

1.2 Focus of the Paragraph

When structuring a cause-and-effect paragraph, you must decide whether your primary focus will be on the causes or the effects.

1.2.1 Focusing on Causes

This structure is used when you want to explain the reasons behind a single outcome. You begin with a specific effect and then dedicate the paragraph to exploring the various causes that led to it.

• Example Topic: The reasons for the increasing popularity of remote work. (Effect: Popularity of remote work; Causes: technological advancements, desire for work-life balance, global pandemics).

1.2.2 Focusing on Effects

This structure is used to explore the multiple consequences that result from a single event or cause. You start with one cause and then detail the different effects it has produced.

• Example Topic: The impacts of social media on society. (Cause: Social media; Effects: changes in communication, impact on mental health, rise of influencer marketing).

1.3 Paragraph Structure

A well-organized cause-and-effect paragraph follows a standard structure to ensure clarity and logical flow.

1.3.1 Paragraph Head (Topic Sentence)

The topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph. Its functions are to:

• Introduce the main topic.
• Clearly state whether the paragraph will focus on causes or effects.
• Often preview the specific causes or effects that will be discussed.

1.3.2 Supporting Sentences

The body of the paragraph consists of supporting sentences that develop the main idea.

• Each cause or effect mentioned should be clearly linked to the topic sentence.
• For each cause or effect, you must provide at least one specific detail, example, or piece of evidence to prove your point.
• Special transitional words and phrases should be used to signal the cause-and-effect relationships to the reader.

1.3.3 Concluding Sentence

The concluding sentence is the last sentence of the paragraph. Its primary purpose is to summarize the main points and restate the idea presented in the topic sentence, often using different wording. This brings the paragraph to a logical close.

1.4 Transition Phrases

Transitional words and phrases are essential for guiding the reader through the logical connections between ideas.

1.4.1 Phrases to Show Cause

These phrases are used to introduce a reason or cause and are typically placed before a noun.

• Phrases: due to, as a result of, because of.
• Rule: If the phrase begins the sentence, it must be followed by a comma.
• Example: Due to the storm, the game was canceled.
• Example: The game was canceled due to the storm.

1.4.2 Phrases to Show Effect

These phrases are used to introduce a result or effect.

• Phrases: As a result, For this reason, Therefore, That is why.
• Rules:
  • As a result, For this reason, and Therefore are followed by a comma when they begin a clause.
  • That is why is integrated directly into the clause and is not followed by a comma.
• Example: The team practiced hard. As a result, they won the championship.
• Example: He was late for the interview. Therefore, he did not get the job.
• Example: She loves animals. That is why she became a veterinarian.

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2. Examples

Effects of malware infection

Malicious software can infect computer systems causing several adverse effects, each costing. Firstly, malware can cause sensitive data to be lost, stolen, or inaccessible. In the past year alone, over 1,000 data breaches occurred. For example, in 2020, CWT, a travel-management company paid $4.5 million to hackers holding its data for ransom. These breaches affected diverse industries, from government operations to small and large businesses, and many got their start with malware. Secondly, malware attacks can result in hardware failure. In 1999, the CIH virus disrupted the operation of several hundred thousand infected systems by deleting the data in the Flash BIOS, making it impossible to even boot the computer. On many laptops the Flash BIOS was soldered directly to the motherboard, along with the drive, the video card, and other hardware. This design meant that in most cases the cost of the repair exceeded the cost of a new laptop, resulting in damaged computers being simply thrown away. Finally, malware can negatively affect operability of computers and computer networks. For instance, in January 2003, the Slammer worm caused a geographically-rotating Internet blackout across the USA, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. As a result of the uncontrolled prevalence of the worm, network traffic increased by 25%, leading to serious problems with banking operations for the Bank of America. To summarize, malware can cause data loss, hardware failure, and operability issues.