Cause Effect Essay Assignment                                      English 111

Hoffer/Bristow

Task:
Write an essay that explains either a cause or an effect related to the topic of censorship or book banning.  You might, for example, explain the causes of voluntary

censorship in local libraries (why do libraries choose not to put certain books on their shelves). Or for an effect essay, you might explain the effects on kids of

reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (or any other book).    Remember, you are writing either an essay about the causes of a topic or the effects of a topic –

not both.

Parameters:
Length
•    3+ pages, which means the essay must cover three entire pages but can extend to a fourth.

MLA Format
•    12 point, Times New Roman, 1” margins, double-spaced
•    Left-side header: name,  teacher, class, and date
•    Include a Works Cited page and in-text citations.
o    Outside sources must be documented using MLA format.
o    Citations and Works Cited page do not count towards your total page length.

*For help with MLA: consult the Norton handbook, Chapters 45-50 (pages 453-532).  Please review the consequence of plagiarism in the syllabus.  It is a serious

offence.

Audience/Tone:
This is an academic and formal essay.  Do not share your personal thoughts and feelings about the topic (i.e. I feel that Harry Potter shouldn’t be banned… or I

believe that book banning is harmless…). Do not use personal pronouns such as I, me, you, or your or make self-referential statements like “This essay will be

about…” or “My first supporting detail is….”   Remain factual and straightforward while using research to support your topic and main ideas.

What to Submit:

Thursday, September 11:  Essays due to Moodle by 11:00 p.m.

Friday, September 12:  Submit your essay to Smarthinking.com.  This website will provide you feedback on your essay.  You must print this sheet off and submit it with

your final draft.  Your final draft should reflect the improvements suggested by Smarthinking.  Note: You may re-submit your essay to Smarthinking multiple times

before the deadline.  The website promises feedback in 48 hours, so don’t wait until the last minute.

Monday, September 15: Your final printed essay is due no later than 5:00 p.m.  You may turn it in at our office, #4420.  The printed paper must include a copy of the

Smarthinking feedback and any extra credit tickets.

Email final draft to [email protected] and print the confirmation email to submit with final paper.

*Please read the amnesty policy on the syllabus.  Late papers will not be graded, and students electing to use their one amnesty must follow the procedure outlined in

the syllabus.

**If you need help with any part of constructing your paper, go to the English Studio to get help from a tutor!