Because the causal argument can take several different forms, a single example of a causal argument can't illustrate organization for most of you. Consequently, this web page presents information and short samples of different approaches to causality, depending upon your thesis.
For full-length samples of causal arguments, see Ramage and Bean's Writing Arguments, pages 248-250. The editors discuss four strategies for pursuing causality and direct you to specific short essays within the book.
Re-examine the causal argument distributed in class. It is an example of a fairly solid causal argument, though it lacks sufficient evidence and polish to be considered exceptional.
Finally, browse through the following samples
to get a sense of how some of your classmates have very successfully handled
the difficulties posed by the causal argument.
Sample Introduction:
The following introduction to a causal argument about genetically-altered
foods very efficiently introduces the issue,
demonstrates that it is debatable,
and provides a clearly arguable causal thesis.
This example demonstrates a good way of setting up a causal argument that
pursues several effects.
| Anonymous
Nov. 8, 1998 ENG 101-067 Ms. Thompson Each day through the use of genetic
engineering, food are being artificially modified and introduced
to the public for consumption. According to USA Today magazine,
"contrary to popular lore, the public is not particularly concerned about
eating foods tailored through biotechnology. When they were asked how likely
they would be to buy a new better tasting tomato, or other kinds of biotech
food products, most people said that they would accept it and feel comfortable
with it" (Smith 23). Supporters of these genetically-engineered foods claim
that the use of genetic engineering produces a more nutritional, better
looking, economical, and better tasting product. Despite these strong claims
in favor of genetically-altered foods, there is strong opposition against
them. Genetically-altered foods can contribute to health problems among
consumers because their effects on the human body are currently unknown,
they can cause fatal and crippling effects due to allergic reactions, they
promote more disease-resistant pests, and they increase the spread of diseases
across species barriers.
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Sample Introduction:
This introduction takes on an extremely broad issue,
child abuse and its causes, and very deftly limits the scope to the pursuit
of a single cause. This author very carefully acknowledges the variety
of causes before moving on to establish his own position on causality.
By thoughtfully bringing these other causes to our attention, he both establishes
the debate and
refrains from oversimplifying causality. When he finally does discuss the
particular path of causality he intends to explore in his thesis,
he's very careful to explain a precise degree of causality: not that abuse
in childhood always causes victims to become adult abusers of children,
but that there is a significant connection. This is a fine example of how
to pursue one cause from among several possible causes.
| Anonymous
Nov. 10, 1998 ENG 101-067 Ms. Thompson Child abuse -- defined as "the
physical or mental injury. . .of a child under the age of 18 by a person
who is responsible for the child's welfare" (Kashani and Allen 2) -- and
other various forms of violent behavior inflicted onto adolescents or in
their presence is an overwhelming cause of the occurrence of similar events
in the child's future, when the former victim has reached an age when he
or she can be classified as the administrator of such actions. A number
of contributing factors, such as living conditions, financial standing,
personal relationships, and school- and gang-related violence can also
have a considerable effect on abuse and violence.
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Sample Organization:
Following is a classmate's approach to organizing several diverse effects
of a single cause -- no-till farming. He makes excellent use of transitional
phrases to illuminate the logical connections
among his paragraphs.
| Anonymous
Nov. 11, 1998 ENG 101-064 Ms. Thompson Thesis: The practice of no-till farming results in several benefits for both the environment and the farmer. Practicing no-till farming saves farmers countless tons of topsoil annually due to the effects of residue, or crop leftovers, which cling to soil and prevent erosion. Although the reduction of erosion is the main benefit, residue offers farmers another significant benefit: the ability to trap water and protect the soil from the evaporative effect of the wind, thus providing moister soils. Another positive effect of residue is the development of macropores, created by stubble roots and earthworms, which help facilitate the movement of water and oxygen to the roots of crops. While the earthworms and roots are busy making pores in the soil, they're also increasing the amount of organic matter in the soil. Besides the effects on the land, no-till provides benefits, and significant ones at that, for farmers. (saves time, money, less equipment). Despite no-till's positive effects on the environment and for the farmer, opponents of no-till point to what some people argue as the only negative consequence of no-till: increased chemical use. Whether or not chemicals used in no-till farming damage the environment is a serious concern. Modern chemicals, however, are much less toxic than their counterparts in early generations, are very biodegradable, and used at much smaller rates of application. This essay ends by weighing the benefits of no-till against the chemical
usage and concluding that, for the sake of the soil and the farmer, no-till
seems to yield more positive effects than conventional tillage.
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