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February 27, 2001
EXPOSITORY PATTERNS--PART IV
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CAUSE AND EFFECT
As its name implies, this technique allows writers to explore the causes of an event or its effects, and sometimes both. A medical researcher might examine the possible causes of the AIDS virus or a sociologist can consider various reasons for the increasing rate of babies born outside of marriage.
On the other hand, it is sometimes necessary to explore the effects of a given phenomenon. For example, a government bureau might look at the effects of pouring more money into a school system. Or a dog breeder may analyze the results of using positive reinforcement to house break young puppies.
When writing a cause-and-effect paper, it's usually a good idea to develop each cause or effect in its own paragraph so that readers get a clear idea of its role.
If both causes and effects are included in a paper, a couple of approaches are possible. One is to describe all the causes, each in its own paragraph, in the first part of the paper, then discuss the effects, again describing one per paragraph, in the second part of the paper. Another approach is to include both a cause and its effect in the same paragraph if the information is concisely presented.
A cause-and-effect strategy helps writers state a problem and then look for possible solutions. It can help explain why something happened or why it could happen.
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http://www.grammarcheck.com/archives
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SPELLING OR WRITING TIP
Last week we looked at the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World." This week test your spelling knowledge for the "Seven Wonders of the Natural World."
1. Grand Canyon (U.S.), a network of eroded canyons and river beds
2. Great Barrier Reef (Australia), a huge, complex reef network off the coast
3. Harbor of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), an unusual (geological) harbor
4. Mount Everest (Nepal), the tallest mountain in the world
5. Northern Lights (northern hemisphere), atmospheric lights seen at night
6. Paricutin (Mexico), an active, violent volcano
7. Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), a waterfall of great height and width
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NEW WORD OF THE WEEK:
DER-E-LICT (adjective): neglectful or careless
Puck's derelict approach to his studies may result in his failing the course.
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YOUR GRAMMAR AND WRITING QUESTIONS
QUESTION: Should I say your and I or you and me?
GRAMMARCHECK: It depends on where this phrase appears in your sentence. If it appears in the subject position, use the subject form of "I" as follows:
You and I should visit the zoo sometime.
Chris and I found the recipe in a rusty can.
But if you use this phrase as an object of the verb--in the object part of the sentence--use the other form:
Make sure that Pamela pays you and me at the end of the month.
Did Tess ask Kim to tell you and me about the fire?
HINT: When you're not sure whether to use "I" or "me" with another pronoun, drop the other pronoun and see which word sounds correct alone.
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QUESTION: My supervisor is writing a letter of recommendation for my daughter. I type his letters. Is it still proper for me to use my reference initials?
GRAMMARCHECK: If you are concerned because the letter is for your daughter (and you want to avoid the appearance of having influenced its writing in any way), using your initials really won't matter, will it? Recipients of the letter are unlikely to know your name and thus will not associate the subject of the letter with its transcriber. And even if they did know your name, many people have the same initials.
If you are worried about confidentiality, you can ask your supervisor to have someone else type the letter. But if he or she trusts you with it, we would accept that trust with appreciation.
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QUESTION: My grammar is very poor. When I write a letter, there are a lot of grammatical errors in it. Is there any online checking system available?
GRAMMARCHECK: There probably are several proofreading services online which will check your letter for a fee. Do an online search using "editing" or "proofreading" to see what comes up. Readers, your suggestions are welcome as well!
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QUESTION: Can the following sentences be worded as follows or is the word "very" over-expressed?
The children spend very much time watching t.v.
-and-
It is a very terrible thing that they do.
GRAMMARCHECK: The word "very" is an adverb meaning to a high or great degree, or "truly." We feel that it is often overused and prefer that writers choose strong verbs that do not rely on "very" for help except in the rare circumstance when it is needed. Here are suggested alternatives to your sentences:
The children spend too much time watching t.v.
-or-
The children spend considerable time watching t.v.
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It is a terrible thing they do!
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QUESTION: In research papers, previous studies are referred to by authors' last names. Should the reference be to the authors or to the study?
Example:
The results of Smith, Doe, and Brown (1995) support hypothesis A. However, Smith, Doe, and Brown (1995) concludes the opposite.
-or-
The results of Smith, Doe, and Brown (1995) support hypothesis A. However, Smith, Doe, and Brown (1995) conclude the opposite.
GRAMMARCHECK: It really depends on whether the writer refers to the study or to the writers. In one sense, they're one and the same; after all, the study belongs to the writers who complete it. But from a grammar standpoint a writer should distinguish between the writers themselves and their work. You can rearrange a sentence to make this more clear:
1. The results of Smith, Doe, and Brown (1995) support hypothesis A.
(subject = "results" and verb = "support")
2. However, Smith, Doe, and Brown (1995) conclude the opposite.
(subject = "Smith, Doe, and Brown" and verb = "conclude")
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QUESTION: What's the difference between "recur" and "reoccur"?
GRAMMARCHECK: "Recur" is correct; "reoccur" is not. Though many people find it easier to attach the re- prefix before "occur" to suggest the meaning of "to happen repeatedly," the correct word is "recur," with related variations such as "recurrent" and "recurring."
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