Part 9: Understanding the language point Task 14: Read the following ten rules about using cause and effect language in English.


1. Understanding how to write about ‘cause and effect’ is crucial in academic writing. Conclusions (‘effects’) which are not supported by reasons (‘causes’) may be considered poor arguments. Likewise, it is bad practice to list lots of information without presenting what conclusions can be made. This kind of writing is more descriptive than analytical; in academic writing, it is generally more appropriate that your writing is analytical. Good academic writing is about why and how, not just where, when and what.


2. Conjunctions are one of the main word classes which can be used. With regard to causes, because is the most commonly used in academic English. In fact, at times it may be overused. Synonyms include due to, owing to and as a result of. All three are considered formal, and therefore acceptable to use in academic English. As and since have a similar meaning and often appear at the beginning of a sentence. If you use these conjunctions, it is important to ensure that the sentences contain both a cause and an effect. A common mistake is to only include one or the other. Conjunctions can also be used to introduce effects and results. Since these conjunctions link sentences, they should be followed by a comma. Therefore is very commonly used in academic English. Other examples include consequently, so, thus, hence, because of this, for this reason, as a consequence and as a result.


3. There are a number of verbs and verb-based structures which can be used to show cause and effect, such as lead to, result in, cause, are the cause of, produce and give rise to.


4. Nouns and noun phrases which can be used to explain causes include reason, explanation, cause, grounds, basis, source and foundation. When talking about effects, you can use consequence, result and outcome.


5. Conditional structures are commonly used to talk about cause and effect. The zero or first conditional can be used to talk about general or possible causes and effects. The second and third conditionals may be used to talk about causes and effects which are either unlikely or impossible. These structures are formed as follows:


• Zero conditional: if + present simple (cause)/present simple (effect) • First conditional: if + present simple (cause)/future simple (effect) • Second conditional: if + past simple (cause)/would + infinitive (effect) • Third conditional: if + past perfect (cause)/would have + past participle (effect)


Task 15: Look again at the text in Part 3. Underline any cause and effect language or structures which you can find.


Task 16: Complete the following sentences appropriately, using some of the cause and effect language given above. Clues are given in brackets afterwards.


1. Climate change is a growing problem across the world. something about it. (conjunction)


2. If more dams conditional structure).


3. One common India. (noun)


4.


5. If the world population conditional structure)


46 for climate change is the growing demand for electricity in China and


climate change, migration patterns are likely to change. (conjunction) . (increase/follow in a


as expected, challenges , more electricity , governments should do (build/produce in a


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