Cause and effect is an important writing technique used in stories to engage readers. Everything that happens has a cause, and authors include cause and effect relationships to challenge readers' thinking about characters. Cause and effect makes stories more interesting by explaining how events are connected. Diagrams can help untangle the multiple causes that may lead to a single effect or result in a story.

1. Cause and Effect

2. Cause and Effect
 Everything that we do (effect) has been the result a certain
action (cause)
 Authors will use cause and effect in their writing to challenge
the reader to think about their characters carefully. Without
cause and effect, stories would be boring and no one would
read them. Some are simple to notice, while others are not.
 In comparison, we, as authors need to include cause and
effect in our writing to engage our readers. They demand it!

3. Let’s have a look at some major
movies…
Can you identify a cause of these effects…?

6. And what about the effect that happens in this scene?
Do you know the cause?

7. Now for stories and literature…
Can you identify some cause and effect examples from the following stories…
Cause Effect

8. Now for stories and literature…
Can you identify some cause and effect examples from the following stories…
Cause Effect

9. Now for stories and literature…
Can you identify some cause and effect examples from the following stories…
Cause Effect

10. Diagrams to show causes…
Sometimes in stories there are numerous causes for
an effect. We can use graphic organisers to
understand their lead up to the final effect/result.
Brian’s parents
are getting a
divorce.
Brian is on a
Pilot has a
plane traveling
heart attack.
to Canada.

11. • Mosquitos
swarm
Brian.

13. • Brian
gets
thirsty.

15. • Brian
eats
berries.

17. •Brian creates fire.

19. • Brian
notices
the fish in
the lake.

21. • Brian
realizes
he is
making
too many
mistakes.

23. • Wolves
watch
Brian.