Causal Analysis

        Now that you have identified a problem, offered a tentative solution, and reviewed the pertinent material, you need to consider the causes that have given rise to the problem. Write a 3 to 4 page essay explaining why a certain cause has, or certain causes have, created the problem you are addressing.

        This essay should follow the overall pattern suggested in St. Martin's, Chapter 9, "Speculating about Causes." Pay special attention to pages 508-9, which show how Sheila McClain, a freshman college student and author of "Fitness Culture:  A Growing Trend in America" (which you've read), developed her causal analysis.

        As for how you might begin to develop yours, let me suggest that the first thing you do is generate a list of causes.  Consider the following types of causes (page 489):

• Immediate causes:  those responsible for creating the problem;
• Remote or background causes: those from the a more distant past;
• Perpetuating causes: those that may have contributed to the problem;
• Obvious causes; and
• Hidden causes.

       Once you've got your list of causes, you'll need to organize it.  You might try to find some central cause or pair of causes.  You might organize them from least to most important.  In any case, be sure that the your solution in some way addresses the cause or causes you discuss.

       Once you've got your discussion of the causes developed, you might construct your essay as follows:

• Definition of the Problem - (if you were satisfied with this section of your Position Paper, you're welcome to use it verbatim to introduce your Causal Analysis)
• Causes
• Solution
• Works Cited page (don't forget to cite and acknowledge your sources)

       Note:  page 374-5 offers you an outline of your final proposal.  Notice that this causal analysis constitutes the first section of your final proposal.

       Also, be sure to check out the samples.

• Causal Analysis Sample One
• Causal Analysis Sample Two
• Causal Analysis Sample Three

Further Discussion of the Causal Analysis - Examination of Sheila McClain's Causal Analysis