
Support
ing Details
in the Cause-and-Effect Analysis
When you start to decide what types of details to
include
in your cause-and-effect analysis, first th
ink carefully about the thesis. Are you focus
ing solely on the causes of the event? Are you only look
ing at the effects of the event? Or does your thesis exam
ine both causes and effects?
Us
ing different patterns of development, especially exemplification, description and process analysis, can be helpful
in determ
ining your support
ing details. As you write your essay, you will want to use exemplification to clarify the various causes and/or effects you are
includ
ing.
Description will also come
in very handy; for
instance,
in the letter to the editor example above, you could describe the grim conditions of the overcrowded roads. F
inally, process analysis can help you to clearly lay out a cha
in of causes and/or effects.
In Parrish’s essay, for
instance, she describes how hav
ing kids actively receive a f
inancial education will
lead to kids and young adults who have more confidence
in their abilities, which ultimately will
lead to more f
inancially responsible adults.