IT’S AN ACTION-REACTION THING

Considering Cause and Effect

CauseCause EffectEffect

An action or event that makes something else happen.

The “reason”The “why” of a situation.

What happens because of a certain action or event.

The “result”The “what” of a situation.

Some Definitions…

Cause and Effect in Action…

Dominoes 1Dominoes 2OK GO “This Too Shall

Pass”

Cause and Effect Patterns

Clue Words and Phrases(How to Recognize Cause and

Effect)

*** Clue words alone do not automatically indicate a cause and effect relationship. One event must make another event happen.

WHAT WAS THE CAUSE?

Cause and Effect… in Science

Effect: The diet soda floats, the regular soda sinks.

When you worked on observations in science class, you were asked to think of reasons why the diet soda floated but the regular soda sank. When you were looking for reasons, you were looking for the possible causes for the difference in behavior of the two cans.

WHY DID THE U.S. WRITE A CONSTITUTION?

Cause and Effect… in History

Effect: The Founding Fathers work on a compromise. The Constitution is written and ratified by the states.

Cause: The different states of the newly created U.S. had different ideas of what the new government should do. They had many debates and discussions to come up with a plan that everyone could agree with.

PHINEAS AND FERB: BRAIN DRAIN EPISODE

Cause and Effect… in Story

Causes and Effects in “Brain Drain” Espisode

Because the boys are sick, Mom goes to the store to buy Mucus-Be-Gone.

Because they are sick, Isabella, Phineas, Ferb, and Baljeet are in bed.

Because he feels lazy, Buford is in bed.Because last time he was wearing a diaper and driving a

tricycle, Vanessa does not want Dr. Doofenschmurtz to pick her up.

Because Ferb is so into his book, Baljeet wins their battle.

Because he is being controlled by the de-volition-inator, Perry skips, slaps himself, and almost eats sidewalk gum.

Sample Paragraph 1

Anne worked hard to make this year’s talent show a success. Because she put up so many posters, just about everyone in the area knew about the show. Lots of people bought tickets. More people attended than ever before, which meant that the show raised more money for charity than ever before.

Sample Paragraph 2

Last year, my mom decided that our family should learn more about nature. For this reason, we went on a camping trip – and had an awful time! We didn’t have the right kind of tents and other supplies for the cool, damp weather at the campsite. As a result, we decided to do more research before planning this year’s vacation.