Final answer:
In identifying cause and effect within a text, one looks for events that result from other events, using linking words and phrases like 'because' and 'therefore' to clarify these relationships. This structure is key for comprehension and analysis in research papers.
Step-by-step explanation:
One text structure that you might see in an informational text is cause and effect. Cause and effect shows a relationship between events, where something happens and causes something else to happen. When doing a research paper such as reading "Why I Was Late," by Sarah Marino, identifying these relationships is key. For instance, the sentence, 'Because an oil spill occurred off the coast of California, the fur and feathers of animals became dangerously matted, waterways were damaged, and the cost of maintaining a clean environment skyrocketed,' demonstrates a clear cause and effect.
Paragraphs explaining cause-and-effect often begin by stating the cause(s) followed by the effect(s), or vice versa. For example, a cause such as 'Because vehicles sped without regard to the speed limit,' can lead to effects like 'pedestrians dodging traffic and an increase in accidents; for those reasons, a traffic signal was installed.' By using such patterns and organizational structures in a paragraph, you can effectively convey complex relationships to the reader in an understandable manner.
It's also important to use linking words and/or phrases to help clarify these relationships. Words such as 'because,' 'therefore,' and 'as a result' are commonly used to connect causes and effects.