Some connectors create more explicit cause and effect relationships than others.
For instance, the word 'so' specifically shows that one event was the reason or cause for another:
I joined the defense to make a protective wall in front of Roxana as the blond Royal captain got ready to shoot. She glanced over at her coach, then at me. At one meter and fifty-five centimeters, I was the shortest person on my team. She'd try to send it over my head. I was her only opening. So I jumped, and the ball hit me right in the face.
Stars exploded in my eyes as I fell hard on the ground, where I stayed, catching my breath.
"Hassan, do you need a sub?" Coach Alicia called from the sidelines.
For our first worked example, we're going to spend time with a character called Elena, who is a scientist researching microplastics in the ocean and atmosphere.
Here's a small, physical 'so' moment:
The waves grew and the boat woozed in the swell. The sample jars were sliding back and forth in the locker, smacking on the sides, so Elena stacked them against one end and stuffed an old puffer jacket inside to keep them in place. She closed the locker door.
The lab returned to silence, and Elena returned to work.
For our second example, we'll hang out with Tom, who is a high school student and avid soccer player.
Here's another simple 'this, so that' moment:
Their goalie was planted well forward, ready to spring. He looked confident. Tom felt pressure from 3 to his right, but the target area was narrow. If he struck now, he'd probably just hand it to the goalie. So he passed across 5 to Filsan, who sprinted forward and struck like a scorpion, slamming the ball into the left corner.
Their goalie hit the grass. Filsan and Tom screamed in elation.
If you're highlighting your responses, pay attention to where you draw the boundary between action and consequences.
Sometimes the action can be elaborate but with a small consequence; sometimes the action can be small but with elaborate consequences.
Now write your own.
You've got the basic idea.
Let's start working with snippets we haven't already seen.
