Student Resources

The Consequence Wheel Strategy

• In the centre circle, write an event, for example 'Widespread use of solar energy'
• Think of and write a direct consequence of this event in an oval and connect it to the centre with a single line. This is a first order consequence. Think of some other first order consequences and draw/write them in.
• Think of and record second order consequences. These are things that resulted from the first order consequence. Join it to first order consequences by a double line.

(Note: Most events have positive and negative consequences. What is positive for some groups or environments may be negative for other groups or environments.)

In the example 'Global Warming', there are two first order consequences included. One of these is 'rising sea levels'. A direct consequence of rising sea level could be 'loss of farming land in coastal deltas'. This is a second order consequence. A direct consequence of loss of farming land in coastal deltas may be a 'shortage of food'. This is a third order consequence. A direct consequence of a shortage of food could be 'increase in food prices'. And so on. There are many more consequences not listed.

Top of page

Disclaimer. Copyright The State of Queensland (Department of Education) 2000