This week, you will begin working on a cause and effect essay that will be completed in Week 7. Please see the Week 5 Cause and Effect Essay Assignment and Week 5 Lesson for topic suggestions and assignment requirements.

Let's begin this discussion by sharing our topics and initial research insights. Remember that credible, ethical, and effective arguments are based in good research, not just the writer's opinion or experience. In your primary post, answer the following questions about your topic and your research.

1. What topic have you chosen? What causes and effects will you be exploring related to this topic?
2. What do you wish to learn from writing and researching on this topic? What essential question do you wish to answer?
3. With whom do you wish to share this information? In other words, who is your intended audience?
4. What is your tentative thesis? Write a draft thesis giving your current position on the cause and effect relationship. (Example: The problem X was the result of causes Y and Z.)
5. What source or sources have you found so far? Include a reference in APA style along with a brief description of each article in your own words to indicate why the source is important to your topic.

In at least two other posts, help your peers with their topic exploration and research. Ask questions, offer suggestions to narrow their topics, and/or share a source or tip for finding good sources.

Sample Initial Post

1. Topic: I have chosen to write about the causes of the recentproblems atMeta, the parent company of Facebook.
2. Purpose: I'd like to understand why Meta became fixated on creating themetaverse instead of focusing on improving Facebook.
3. Audience: I see myself communicating my message to people who are interested both in Facebookand the prospects of Meta, either as investors or users.
4. Thesis: My tentative thesis is that Mark Zuckerberg'sobsession with the metaversehas led to poor business decisions, thus causing Meta'sbusiness to decline.
5. Research: A relevant source I have found from the ProQuestdatabase in DeVry'slibrary is ...

Isaac, M., Frenkel, S., & Kang, C. (2022, June 2). Zuckerberg's no. 2 at Facebook and Meta to step down this fall: [Business/Financial desk]. New York Times https://www.proquest.com/newspapers/zuckerbergs-no-2-at-facebook-meta-step-down-this/docview/2672210195/se-2

This source discusses Sheryl Sandberg's resignation from Meta. She was the Chief Operating Officer and was considered responsible for much of Facebook's financial success. Sandberg's departure is widely considered to be a sign that she believes the organization is headed in the wrong direction. From the cause and effect perspective, the question is, did Sandberg leave because Meta was in decline, or is Meta's decline due to Sandberg's decision to leave?

Reference Work