Choose one of the following readings and develop a causal chain that summarizes the causes and effects described in the chosen passage. Be sure to use transition words and phrases that help readers to see clearly how the statements are connected in a logical sequence.
Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”
His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children (Matthew 15:29-38, NIV).
A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a tree. “That’s for me, as I am a Fox,” said Master Reynard, and he walked up to the foot of the tree. “Good-day, Mistress Crow,” he cried. “How well you are looking to-day: how glossy your feathers; how bright your eye. I feel sure your voice must surpass that of other birds, just as your figure does; let me hear but one song from you that I may greet you as the Queen of Birds.” The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw her best, but the moment she opened her mouth the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be snapped up by Master Fox (Aesop, 1867).
Over the next six exercises, you will develop a cause and effect essay about a role model (cause) who has affected you in some important ways (effects). The person you select can be a friend, relative, roommate, teacher, coach, spiritual adviser, fictional character, or historical figure. List ways in which he or she has affected or influenced you. The final paper should be 500-600 words in length. Your audience for this essay is your instructor, so your paper should adhere to GCU style and meet other basic requirements of academic papers. Your purpose is to demonstrate that you understand cause and effect by explaining how your role model affected or influenced you in significant ways.
Identify the role model who will be the subject of your essay and, using the Cause and Effect Flow Chart, list ways in which he or she affected or influenced you: