Paper #1 - Cause and Effect - GW5 - Unit 4

 Assignment Overview

Learn More:  Student Video Guides to Canvas/Assignments (Links to an external site.)

Learning Objectives

• How to write a brief Topic Outline for Essay #1, Cause OR Effect paper
• How to Write a clear and cohesive Cause OR Effect Essay of 600-800 words on topic

 Guidelines

Answer ONE of the questions below in a five paragraph essay and focus on Causes - OR - Effects. Use the writing process by brainstorming and making an outline to help you. (Just like you did for Cell Phone essay). You will get a grade for this - see Rubric for grading criteria.

You will not be writing a Cause AND Effect paper. You need to choose EITHER a Cause OR Effect. Topics 1 and 2 below are Cause papers. Topic #3 is an Effect paper.

Please include in your essay:

• Introduction with a hook and a clear Thesis Statement at end
• Three body paragraphs that develop the thesis with Topic Sentences that clearly connect back to the causes or effects mentioned in your thesis
• Several details in each body paragraph that explain and give examples of your points
• Conclusion that restates the thesis and ends with an interesting thought
• All paragraphs are indented five spaces at the beginning.
• Your own life experiences that connect to one of the themes below

Theme: Adversity - Paper #1 - Your Own Life Experiences on One topic below.

Questions (Choose One):

1. Dorothy Vaughn had to make a difficult decision to leave her family to work in another city for a dream job. Did you have a similar decision to make when you left a job? What are the causes for your decision to leave? Focus on specific causes that led to your decision to leave this job - finances? salary/wages? job security? job satisfaction? bosses? co-workers? family? Write a CAUSE paper on reasons why you left this job.
2. Newsome Park was a subdivision built for African American families during WWII. African Americans were not allowed to buy houses in white neighborhoods. Dorothy and her African American coworkers were separated from the white workers at Langley and they couldn't use the same restrooms or tables in the cafeteria as white workers. Did you experience discrimination in your own country?  Write a CAUSE paper describing the conditions in your home country that made you leave. What happened? What kinds of discrimination did you and your family experience that made you move to another country? Describe in detail the CAUSES (of that discrimination) that made you emigrate.
3. You left your home country for another (whether the U.S. or another country before this. )What have you (and your family) experienced as a result of this move? What are the effects on you and your family? Describe the benefits of living in the U.S. (or in the past in a different country). You could also include some of the drawbacks of living in a new country.  Pick three major areas in your life that are affected by this big change. This will be an EFFECT essay.

Do not bring in anything from the outside to your paper, like from Internet. This is a personal essay with personal details. Stay on topic with your own experience.

Instructions for Submission and Process

• Choose a topic from above 1 or 2 (cause only) or 3 (effect only)
• Brainstorm for ideas
• Organize your major points and details in a Topic Outline
• Write your Essay

Your Submission should include: TWO ITEMS:  Outline and Essay

(1) Short Topic Outline of topic phrases:

At the TOP of your Outline is your THESIS STATEMENT (the same as your Thesis in paper.)

SAMPLE OUTLINE - CAUSE paper

Thesis:  There were many reasons why I left my job as an engineer.

I.  Terrible boss

    A.   Made me work long hours

    B.   Did not give me credit on my submitted drafts

    C.   Criticized me at staff meetings

    D.   Did not get a pay raise the last year

II.  Location too far from home

     A.  Had to commute 40 miles round trip

     B.  High monthly gas bills

     C.  Missed my children's school events

     D.  Rarely home for dinner with my family

etc. etc. etc.

Remember, you will have more details in this longer essay.

(2) Below your outline, start typing the 600-800 word essay.

Essay contains a strong Introduction with Thesis Statement, three body paragraphs with at least 4-5 details in each and all beginning with topic sentences, plus an ending with a Concluding paragraph.

Use "Submit Assignment" link or type on an attached document on Canvas. No paper will be accepted by email. 

Outline and Paper need to be in one document. Do not submit separately.

See RUBRIC for grading criteria.

You may submit your paper anytime before Friday, March 26.

DEADLINE for Submission is Friday, March 26, at midnight.