《英语写作》课程讲义（英文版）Lecture 4 Explanation Paragraph or Cause-effect Paragraph

Lecture 4 Explanation Paragraph or Cause-effect Paragraph Objectives To learn what an explanation paragraph is To learn to write an explanation paragraph effectively Writing instruction In an exp lanation paragraph, you need to explain how or why something happens. Very often in social studies class, you will be asked to explore causes and effects of certain events Example: Write a paragraph explaining why so many Europeans moved to Canada during the nineteenth century The following words can help you to write a good exp lanation paragraph Helper words: Cause Effect because therefore since as a result of consequently is due to hence it follows that

Lecture 4 Explanation Paragraph or Cause-effect Paragraph Objectives To learn what an explanation paragraph is To learn to write an explanation paragraph effectively Writing instruction In an explanation paragraph, you need to explain how or why something happens. Very often in social studies class, you will be asked to explore causes and effects of certain events. Example: Write a paragraph explaining why so many Europeans moved to Canada during the nineteenth century. The following words can help you to write a good explanation paragraph: Helper Words: Cause Effect because therefore since thus as a result of consequently is due to hence it follows that

if the en Cause because Example: People moved to Canada from Europe during the nineteenth century because they had poor living conditions in europe since Example: Since living conditions in Europe were terrible, many people moved to canada as a result of Example: People moved to Canada from Europe as a result of poor living conditions in Europe is due to was due to Example: The large influx of people to Canada was due to economic pressures in Europe Effe therefore Example: Living conditions in Europe were terrible. Therefore, man people moved to Canada for a better life

if . . . then Cause because Example: People moved to Canada from Europe during the nineteenth century because they had poor living conditions in Europe. since Example: Since living conditions in Europe were terrible, many people moved to Canada. as a result of Example: People moved to Canada from Europe as a result of poor living conditions in Europe. is due to / was due to Example: The large influx of people to Canada was due to economic pressures in Europe. Effect therefore Example: Living conditions in Europe were terrible. Therefore, many people moved to Canada for a better life

us Example: Living conditions in Europe were terrible. Thus, many people moved to Canada for a better life consequently Example: Living conditions wereterrible in Europe. Consequently many people moved to canada Example: Living conditions wereterrible in Europe. Hence, many eople moved to canada it follows that Example: Living conditions were terrible in Europe. It follows that many people moved to canada if. then Example: If living conditions were better in Europe, then fewer people would have moved to canada Sample to be studied Girls don't do as well in math and science as boys. Ther first and most important reason is that they aren t encouraged to play with toys that build up interest in math and science problems and that build skills for problem solving or understanding how things work. Girls are encouraged to play with toys that foster language and human relations skills. As a result, they can grow up not knowing how an engine works or how to build a model from directions. Second, studies have shown that teachers don't expect girls to be good at math Even female math and science teachers pay more attention to boys in class and call on boys more often. Because teachers don't expect girls to excel, they don't try very hard, and soon girls are far

thus Example: Living conditions in Europe were terrible. Thus, many people moved to Canada for a better life. consequently Example: Living conditions were terrible in Europe. Consequently, many people moved to Canada. hence Example: Living conditions were terrible in Europe. Hence, many people moved to Canada. it follows that Example: Living conditions were terrible in Europe. It follows that many people moved to Canada. if ... then Example: If living conditions were better in Europe, then fewer people would have moved to Canada. Sample to be studied Girls don't do as well in math and science as boys. There are several reasons for this. The first and most important reason is that they aren't encouraged to play with toys that build up interest in math and science problems and that build skills for problem solving or understanding how things work. Girls are encouraged to play with toys that foster language and human relations skills. As a result, they can grow up not knowing how an engine works or how to build a model from directions. Second, studies have shown that teachers don't expect girls to be good at math. Even female math and science teachers pay more attention to boys in class and call on boys more often. Because teachers don't expect girls to excel, they don't try very hard, and soon girls are far

behind boys in these studies. Finally, girls don't have many role models to look up to. Not very many math and science teachers are women, especially in the later grades. When the media picture mathematicians and scientists, they usually picture men. As a result, girls arent inspired to choose these fields as careers. In summary, several factors work together in the home in schools, and in the society at large to send a subtle message to girls. Girls almost al ways get the message; as a result few girls excel in math and sciences Exercises In(a),(b)and(c), below, there is one sentence that contains a cause. Write one or two sentences that describe effects that result from each cause. Here is an example CAUSE: Nitrogen oxide from car exhaust causes problems EFFECTS: One effect is that air pollution is produced by car exhaust. Car exhaust results in acid rain. as well (a)CAUSE: Not eating a balanced diet results in bad effects EFFECTS (b) CAUSE: Because of today's computers we can do many thing EFFECTS (c)CAUSE: Trees, flowers and other plant life have positive effects EFFECTS Expressions that might be used in writing a cause-effect paragraph There are many reasons for Wh The answer to this problem involves many factors Any discussion about this problem would inevitably involves The first reason can be obviously seen Most people would agree that Some people may neglect that in fact Others suggest the Part of the explanation is

behind boys in these studies. Finally, girls don't have many role models to look up to. Not very many math and science teachers are women, especially in the later grades. When the media picture mathematicians and scientists, they usually picture men. As a result, girls aren't inspired to choose these fields as careers. In summary, several factors work together in the home, in schools, and in the society at large to send a subtle message to girls. Girls almost always get the message; as a result, few girls excel in math and sciences. Exercises In (a), (b) and (c), below, there is one sentence that contains a cause. Write one or two sentences that describe effects that result from each cause. Here is an example. CAUSE: Nitrogen oxide from car exhaust causes problems. EFFECTS: One effect is that air pollution is produced by car exhaust. Car exhaust results in acid rain, as well. (a) CAUSE: Not eating a balanced diet results in bad effects. EFFECTS:_____ (b) CAUSE: Because of today's computers we can do many things. EFFECTS:_____ (c) CAUSE: Trees, flowers and other plant life have positive effects. EFFECTS:_____ Expressions that might be used in writing a cause-effect paragraph There are many reasons for ... Why .... , for one thing,... The answer to this problem involves many factors. Any discussion about this problem would inevitably involves ... The first reason can be obviously seen. Most people would agree that... Some people may neglect that in fact ... Others suggest that... Part of the explanation is

Signment Have you ever skipped any classes before? Do you know that many college students skip classes often? There must be some reasons behind. Would you do some interview work and write a paragraph about it?

Assignment Have you ever skipped any classes before? Do you know that many college students skip classes often? There must be some reasons behind. Would you do some interview work and write a paragraph about it?