Cause and Effect at GrammarSongs by Melissa. What is is cause-and-effect?More
importantly, how can understanding cause and effect make me a better reader? Let's
get started! Cause and effect is a relationship between events or things
where one is the result of the other or others. What? Huh?
That does sound a little confusing, so let me explain...The cause is the reason
for a situation or change. The cause is why something happens. The effect is the
result or the consequence. The effect is the outcome or conclusion. What happened?
I'm confused! I don't get it! Maybe it will help if I show you. The relationship
of cause and effect happens in situations in real life every day when
we try to figure out what happened and why. You're giving me a ticket! You were
speeding. You missed eight words on your spelling test !I forgot to study. This
bill is expensive! You ordered everything on the menu! The cookies are burning! I
forgot to set the timer. In a cause-and-effect relationship, it's
important to understand which event has a cause and which is the effect. The
cause always, always, always happens first, or before the effect. For example, his
speeding was the cause of getting the ticket. Getting the ticket could not
cause him to speed. Speeding is the cause; receiving the ticket is the effect.
Likewise, forgetting to study is the cause of missing eight words on a
spelling test. Missing eight words wouldn't cause him to forget to study.
Forgetting to study is the cause; missing eight words is the effect. "Because" is a
great word to use to figure out which is the cause and which is the effect. It
even has the word "cause" within it. Because he was speeding, he got the
ticket. Because he didn't study, he missed eight words on his spelling
test. Because he ordered everything on the menu, his bill was expensive. Yes! And
because she forgot to set the timer, the cookies were burning! Exactly! So, the
cause always happens before the effect. Always! And the effect is the result. Yes!
So, how does this help me when I read? You are asking an excellent question!
Identifying cause and effect when you read is important because it helps you
to better understand what happened and why it happened. There are a number of
signal words a reader can use to help boost understanding. Signal words are
words an author may use to indicate the relationship between two ideas.... in this
case cause and effect. Some common signal words for cause are because, since, due to,
if, and when. Some common signal words for effect are so, therefore, as a result,
consequently, thus, and then. Authors may use these words and others to help the
reader identify a cause-and-effect relationship, but sometimes authors don't
use signal words at all! The important thing to remember is that the cause is
the event or thing that makes the effect happen. Maybe we should practice! That is
a really great idea! Let's read a short story together and look for the
cause-and-effect relationships. Remember, the causes the reason why
something happens. Some signal words for cause are because, since, due to, if, and
when. The effect is the result. Some signal words for effect are so, therefore,
as a result, consequently, thus, and then. Here we go!
Tara was having an awful day. She didn't wake up on time because she forgot to
set her alarm clock. Since she didn't wake up to let the dog out, he made a
mess on the floor. She forgot to put her math book in her backpack, so she didn't
have her homework. When it was time for lunch,
Tara remembered her lunchbox was on the counter in the kitchen. She went to band
class, thus realizing her flute was still in her bedroom where she had practiced
the night before. Tara got on the bus to go home.
Her friend, Keisha, told her jokes to make her smile.
As a result, by the time she got home, Tara felt much better. Let's reread this
story to look for cause and effect. We can look for signal words along the way.
Tara was having an awful day. She didn't wake up on time because she forgot to
set her alarm clock. Do you see a signal word that can help us? Hmm! I see "because!"
Very good! The word "because" indicates a cause. Let's highlight the cause in red
and the effect in yellow. Because she forgot to set her alarm clock, she
didn't wake up on time. And forgetting to set the alarm clock happened first in
her life. It tells why she did it wake up on time. Very good! Let's keep reading!
Since she didn't wake up to let the dog out, he made a mess on the floor. Do you
see a signal word that can help us? Hmm!
I see "since!" You're right! "Since" is another word that indicates a cause.
Since she didn't wake up to let the dog out, he made a mess on the floor. And not
waking up on time caused the dog to make a mess on the floor. The dog making a
mess was the result or effect! Excellent! Let's read some more! She forgot to put
her math book in her backpack, so she didn't have her homework. I see the word
so! Wow! You certainly are getting good at looking for signal words! "So" is a signal
word that can indicate an effect. She forgot to put her math book in her
backpack, so she didn't have her homework. Forgetting to put her math book in her
backpack caused the effect of not having her homework. Yes! I'm worried about Tara.
Is her day ever going to get better? Let's keep reading to find out. When it
was time for lunch, Tara remembered her lunchbox was on the
counter in the kitchen. "When" could be a signal word for a cause! Yes it can! When
it was time for lunch, at Tara remembered her lunchbox was on the counter in the
kitchen. The fact that it was time for lunch caused Tara to remember her
lunchbox! Exactly! Let's see what happens next.
She went to band class, thus realizing her flute was still in her bedroom where
she had practiced the night before.
"Thus" can be a signal word for an effect! Yes! Great job!
She went to band class, thus realizing her flute was still in her bedroom where
she had practiced the night before. Going to band class caused Tara to realize her
flute was still in her bedroom. Yes! Poor Tara! Will her day get better? Well, let's
keep reading. Tara got on the bus to go home. I don't see any signal words! Okay,
let's keep reading! Her friend, Keisha, told her jokes to make her smile. As a
result, by the time she got home, Tara felt much better. "As a result" can
indicate an effect. Very good! So if "as a result by the time she got home Tara
felt much better" is the effect, where is the cause? Well, what caused Tara to feel
much better? Her friend Keisha told her jokes to make
her smile! Yes Keisha's jokes caused the effect of
Tara feeling much better! Great job you two! So remember, cause and
effect is a relationship between events or things where one is the result of the
other or others. The cause is the reason for a situation or change. The cause is
why something happens. And the effect is the result. The effect is... what happened?
Some signal words for a cause are because, since, due to, if, and when. And
some signal words for effect are so, therefore, as a result, consequently, thus,
and then. Hooray, you did a great job learning about cause and effect.
Thank you for joining me at Grammar Songs by Melissa. Enjoy other related
videos at GrammarSongs. com.