12.3: Organization

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Organizing By Discussing Effects First

Thesis: Obesity in childhood has both immediate and long-term effects on the health of a child as well as his or her well-being.
Effect 1: Immediate Effects
1. Point 1:Pre-diabetes
2. Point 2: Joint and Bones Complications
3. Point 3: Sleep Apnea
4. Point 4: Psychosocial Issues such as Low Self-Esteem and Stigmatization
Effect 2: Long-term Effects
1. Point 1:Adult Obesity
2. Point 2: High Risk of Heart Disease
3. Point 3: High Risk for Several Types of Cancer
Causes
1. Overeating and/or Poor Diet
2. Lack of Physical Activity
3. Psychosocial Issues, such as Depression
4. Societal Factors e. Mass Media
Conclusion

Organizing By Discussing Causes First

Thesis: Childhood obesity is caused by a number of factors including dietary habits, physical inactivity, depression, societal factors, and mass media.
Cause 1: Societal Factors
1. Lack of Access to Healthy Alternatives
2. Fewer Open Spaces for Physical Activities
3. Increased Dependence on Cars
Cause 2: Mass Media
1. Marketing of Junk Food Toward Adolescents
Cause 3: Dietary Habits
1. Point 1:Poor Nutrition
2. Point 2: Overeating
Cause 4: Physical Inactivity
1. Point 1: Increase in Sedentary Activities (computer browsing, video-gaming, television)
2. Point 2: Lack of Physical Education and/or Activities
Cause 5: Depression and other Emotional Issues
1. Food as Coping Mechanism
2. Withdrawal from Society and Activity
Effects
1. Pre-diabetes/Diabetes
2. Joint/Bone Complications
3. Sleep Apnea
4. Psychosocial Issues such as Low Self-Esteem or Depression
5. Adult Obesity
6. Increased Risk of Heart Diseases and Cancers
Conclusion

The organizational structure you choose depends on the nature of the topic, your purpose, and your audience.

Regardless of which structure you choose, be sure to explain and support each element of the essay fully and completely. Explaining complex relationships requires the full use of evidence, such as scientific studies, expert testimony, statistics, and anecdotes.

Because cause-and-effect essays determine how phenomena are linked, they make frequent use of certain words and phrases that denote such linkage.

Phrases of Causation
as a result	consequently
because	due to
hence	since
thus	therefore

tip

Be careful of resorting to empty speculation. In writing, speculation amounts to unsubstantiated guessing. Writers are particularly prone to such trappings in cause-and-effect arguments due to the complex nature of finding links between phenomena. Be sure to have clear evidence to support the claims that you make.