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• Process 5

Process 4:
The Cause & Effect Paper

 Sometimes it isn't plain at all which is a 
cause and which is an effect:   Research all the potential causes.

Some "causes" may be spurious and are 
used only to gain a political or tactical 
advantage. 
Some causes may be equally seen as 
an effect or as the scene of events or... 
Some effects are mistaken for causes. 
Some essays show an inability to focus 
on all the causes or effects and may miss 
a very important one.
 
 
 
 

MODEL Process 4 paper

As always, remember we use other modes as well as cause in this
paper.  You may find it necessary to define terms, classify concepts, argue
points, 

The Process 4 paper
For this paper, identify a topic that is a mystery to you, something that holds
interest because you want to know its "why" and "wherefore." Then, find a 
few sources which address this question. Example: "Why does the Fed raise 
and lower interest rates and how does this affect the economy?"  Yes, "affect"
is right here, not "effect."  ""Affect" is the verb.

Write an essay presenting the answers you have come up with through your 
own thinking and research. Direct your paper towards a specific audience, 
and be sure to narrow your topic. 

Recycle or find new sources about your topic
Use the same articles you found for the Analyzing Sources (Process 2) Paper.
Or find at least two new sources (one of these most be from a periodical--a 
magazine, newspaper, or journal). 

Introduce your topic.  What is the backdrop of this causal relationship.  Sell the
reader on why this causal relationsip is significant to read further about.

Supports:  these emay be anecdotal or statistical and formal.  It depends
upon the level of seriousness of the topic chosen.  Is this personal?  Then no
citations.

Conclusion:  Why should reader be convinced that this is a genuine
cause and effect?  Can you answer this?  Why should reader care?
Why is this important for us to take time to read about?

Use MLA  (or APA) style documentation. 
This is outlined for you in the St. Martin's Guide.  You can practice this style
of documentation with GD3, the downloadable program, as well. Use "SAVE 
AS" and save this program to your computer's directory.  Then just click on
the program.  It will run in a new DOS window.  Your answers are saved to a 
file.

And don't forget: 
Narrow that topic down.  Instead of how interest rates affect all of the
economy, you might just look at building trades--better yet--only look at
new housing starts.

Format: Just send all drafts as an email message or .doc file.
Be sure to make final draft at least 3-4 pp., double-spaced in TEXT w/ LINE BREAKS
(using 12 pt. new Times Roman or similar font.)  If there is porblem with .doc files,
you should "save as" a text file. Paste your drafts into email messages.

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