9Analyzing Causes and Effects:

Health and Medicine

22

Learning Outcomes

• Identify real world applications for explaining causes and effects

• Understand the steps for writing cause and effect analysis

• Interpret images and readings about health and medicine.

33Steps for Writing Cause and Effect Essays (LO 9.2)

• Begin by identifying

the cause or effectyou want to analyze.

• Explain the cause-and-effect relationship convincingly.

• Organize the causes and/or effects effectively.

• Use sound logic.

• Conclude effectively.

44The Rhetorical Star (LO 9.4)

Subject• Select a topic that is narrow

enough to cover within the assignment guidelines.

• For a shorter paper, you may need to focus on causes OR effects, instead of both.

55The Rhetorical Star (contd.)

Purpose• Determine what you want to

accomplish.• Decide if you are informing,

persuading, or expressing feelings.

66The Rhetorical Star (contd.)

Audience• Determine who your audience will be.• Select the details that will be most

important to the audience.

77The Rhetorical Star (contd.)

Strategy• Focus on the main approach of cause

and/or effect.• Combine other strategies if necessary

to make your point.

88The Rhetorical Star (contd.)

Design• Know how you want the essay to

look when you are finished.• Decide if graphics, photographs, or

illustrations are needed to clarify ideas.

99Applying the Writing Process (LO 9.5)

Discovering• Use the media suggestions in the chapter

to help find a subject.• Consider a subject with which you have

personal experience.• Create a chart of causes and effects to

determine what you want to cover.

1010Applying the Writing Process (contd.)

Planning• Create a cluster or outline to help you

organize your ideas.• Follow one of the organizational

strategies for your essay:o The effects of a major causeo The causes for a major effecto A chain of events that illustrate the

cause or effect

1111Applying the Writing Process (contd.)

Composing• Write a first draft of your essay.• Don’t focus on grammar and

punctuation.• Keep focused on the causes or

effects you are trying to explain.

1212Applying the Writing Process (contd.)

Getting Feedback• Have a peer read your draft • Use the peer review questions to

gatherfeedback from your reviewer.

• Get a second opinion, if possible.

1313Applying the Writing Process (contd.)

Revising• Revise your essay based upon the

feedback you receive.• Make sure your essay is logical

and has fully supported ideas.

• Add, delete, and rearrange ideas as necessary.

1414Applying the Writing Process (contd.)

Editing• Read your essay one more time.• Look for errors in grammar,

punctuation, and mechanics.• Consider reading your essay aloud

to listen for word choice and sentence structure.

1515Applying the Writing Process (contd.)

Proofreading• Read your essay at least one more

time.• Check for typographical errors or

other issues that could interfere with the reader’s understanding of the essay.