Part of life is understanding the principles underlying events. Students can develop their thinking and reading skills by interacting with literature to understand cause and effect.
Simply stated, a cause is the reason behind an event or action. The result of the action is the effect. Cause and effect explains why something happened. For example, the window is broken {effect} because Tom kicked the ball through it {cause}.
To identify cause and effect:
- Look for signpost words such as because, therefore, due to, as a result, etc.
- Answer the question “how/why did this event/thing happen”?
- Notice how a character reacts. Why does he/she react in this way?
There are many ways to explore cause and effect; for example:
- Perform a science experiment and explain what happened and why.
- Read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. For each event mentioned, explain why it happened.
- Examine a historical event. Determine the reasons it happened.
- Read a newspaper article about a current problem. Make a list of the causes and effects.
- Find a cause-and-effect relationship in your current subject of interest.
- Write a paper explaining a cause-and-effect relationship. Topics could include:
- Practicing a skill improves performance.
- Eating junk food makes people less healthy.
- Putting out the right seed attracts interesting birds to the feeder.
- Persecution in their homeland resulted in the Pilgrims’ sailing to America.
- Audubon’s detailed studies of bird anatomy led to his renowned bird paintings.
The best way to explore cause and effect is by interacting with literature through narration. As your student narrates a recent reading, be ready to discuss the causes/effects.
Additional Resources
Write Something Every Day: 366 Pencil Sharpeners for Students of Writing
Our book will get you started. This huge 554-pg. resource provides carefully crafted writing prompts and challenges for each day. We use nearly 20 different forms of writing to keep the student engaged. Also included are writing instruction, tips for modifying assignments for “younger writers,” and other resources. Learn more.
Cause and Effect Worksheets
Free downloads from K12 for introductory practice.
6 Ways to Get the Most from Literature-Based Studies
Ideas for helping your student interact with what he reads.
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