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Cause And Effect Essay Guide
Cause And Effect Essay Examples
Best Cause and Effect Essay Examples To Get Inspiration + Simple Tips
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How To Write A Cause and Effect Essay - Outline & Examples
230+ Cause and Effect Essay Topics for Students
How to Create a Cause and Effect Outline - An Easy Guide
You need to write a cause and effect essay for your assignment. Well, where should you start?
Establishing a relationship between causes and effects is no simple task. You need to ensure logical connections between variables with credible evidence.
However, don't get overwhelmed by the sound of it. You can start by reading some great cause and effect essay examples.
In this blog, you can read cause and effect essays to get inspiration and learn how to write them. With these resources, you'll be able to start writing an awesome cause and effect paper.
Let’s dive in!
- 1. What is a Cause and Effect Essay?
- 2. Cause and Effect Essay Examples for Students
- 3. Free Cause and Effect Essay Samples
- 4. Cause and Effect Essay Topics
- 5. Tips For Writing a Good Cause and Effect Essay
What is a Cause and Effect Essay?
A cause and effect essay explores why things happen (causes) and what happens as a result (effects). This type of essay aims to uncover the connections between events, actions, or phenomena. It helps readers understand the reasons behind certain outcomes.
In a cause and effect essay, you typically:
- Identify the Cause: Explain the event or action that initiates a chain of events. This is the "cause."
- Discuss the Effect: Describe the consequences or outcomes resulting from the cause.
- Analyze the Relationship: Clarify how the cause leads to the effect, showing the cause-and-effect link.
Cause and effect essays are common in various academic disciplines. For instance, studies in sciences, history, and the social sciences rely on essential cause and effect questions. For instance, "what are the effects of climate change?", or "what are the causes of poverty?"
Now that you know what a cause and effect is, let’s read some examples.
Cause and Effect Essay Examples for Students
Here is an example of a well-written cause and effect essay on social media. Let’s analyze it in parts to learn why it is good and how you can write an effective essay yourself.
The essay begins with a compelling hook that grabs the reader's attention. It presents a brief overview of the topic clearly and concisely. The essay introduction covers the issue and ends with a strong thesis statement , stating the essay's main argument – that excessive use of social media can negatively impact mental health.
The first body paragraph sets the stage by discussing the first cause in the topic sentence - excessive social media use. It provides data and statistics to support the claim, which makes the argument more compelling. The analysis highlights the addictive nature of social media and its impact on users. This clear and evidence-based explanation prepares the reader for the cause-and-effect relationship to be discussed.
The second body paragraph effectively explores the effect of excessive social media use, which is increased anxiety and depression. It provides a clear cause-and-effect relationship, with studies backing the claims. The paragraph is well-structured and uses relatable examples, making the argument more persuasive.
The third body paragraph effectively introduces the second cause, which is social comparison and FOMO. It explains the concept clearly and provides relatable examples. It points out the relevance of this cause in the context of social media's impact on mental health, preparing the reader for the subsequent effect to be discussed.
The fourth body paragraph effectively explores the second effect of social comparison and FOMO, which is isolation and decreased self-esteem. It provides real-world consequences and uses relatable examples.
The conclusion effectively summarizes the key points discussed in the essay. It restates the thesis statement and offers practical solutions, demonstrating a well-rounded understanding of the topic. The analysis emphasizes the significance of the conclusion in leaving the reader with a call to action or reflection on the essay's central theme.
This essay follows this clear cause and effect essay structure to convey the message effectively:
Read our cause and effect essay outline blog to learn more about how to structure your cause and effect essay effectively.
Free Cause and Effect Essay Samples
The analysis of the essay above is a good start to understanding how the paragraphs in a cause and effect essay are structured. You can read and analyze more cause and effect essay examples pdf to get a better understanding:
Cause And Effect Essay Examples Social Media
Cause And Effect Essay Examples Smoking
Cause And Effect Essay Examples For 5th Grade
Cause And Effect Essay Examples For 6th Grade
Thesis Statement For A Cause And Effect Essay Examples
Cause and Effect Essay Elementary School
Cause and Effect Essay Example For College Students
Short Cause and Effect Essay Example
Cause and Effect Essay Example for High School
Cause And Effect Essay Example IELTS
Bullying Cause and Effect Essay Example
Cause and Effect Essay Topics
Wondering which topic to write your essay on? Here is a list of cause and effect essay topic ideas to help you out.
- The Effects of Social Media on Real Social Networks
- The Causes And Effects of Cyberbullying
- The Causes And Effects of Global Warming
- The Causes And Effects of WW2
- The Causes And Effects of Racism
- The Causes And Effects of Homelessness
- The Causes and Effects of Parental Divorce on Children.
- The Causes and Effects of Drug Addiction
- The Impact of Technology on Education
- The Causes and Consequences of Income Inequality
Need more topics? Check out our list of 150+ cause and effect essay topics to get more interesting ideas.
Tips For Writing a Good Cause and Effect Essay
Reading and following the examples above can help you write a good essay. However, you can make your essay even better by following these tips.
- Choose a Clear and Manageable Topic: Select a topic that you can explore thoroughly within the essay's word limit. A narrowly defined topic will make it easier to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
- Research and Gather Evidence: Gather relevant data, statistics, examples, and expert opinions to support your arguments. Strong evidence enhances the credibility of your essay.
- Outline Your Essay: Create a structured outline that outlines the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. This will provide a clear roadmap for your essay and help you present causes and effects clearly and coherently.
- Transitional Phrases: Use transitional words and phrases like "because," "due to," "as a result," "consequently," and "therefore" to connect causes and effects within your sentences and paragraphs.
- Support Each Point: Dedicate a separate paragraph to each cause and effect. Provide in-depth explanations, examples, and evidence for each point.
- Proofread and Edit: After completing the initial draft, carefully proofread your essay for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Additionally, review the content for clarity, coherence, and flow.
- Peer Review: Seek feedback from a peer or someone familiar with the topic to gain an outside perspective. They can help identify any areas that need improvement.
- Stay Focused: Avoid going off-topic or including irrelevant information. Stick to the causes and effects you've outlined in your thesis statement.
- Revise as Needed: Don't hesitate to make revisions and improvements as needed. The process of revising and refining your essay is essential for producing a high-quality final product.
Cause and effect essays are important for comprehending the intricate relationships that shape our world. With the help of the examples and tips above, you can confidently get started on your essay.
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WRITE A THESIS STATEMENT FOR A CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY
If you are a student at college or university, you know that there are certain particularities in formulating a cause and effect essay thesis statement. But, it can be a real challenge for one to understand the essence of that phrase. Or, even if you do so, on practice, things may go differently. Many students are sweating over the issue of how to express their main thought, show the relevance of the subject matter, and engage the reader by only one sentence. And, since we are talking about a cause-effect assignment, we should remember about meeting its purpose as well. This way, the thesis statement should also reflect the interdependence of events or phenomena that you are going to discuss and, what's important, prove throughout the writing.
In this article, we will dwell on the role of the thesis statement in the process of writing this specific type of essay. In our guide, we will discuss the main features of a strong thesis and provide you with several examples. With our recommendations, you can be confident in the highest rate for your writing assignment.
But first things first, and let us remind ourselves of the general definition of the thesis statement. It is your one main idea, a central claim of an academic paper you are working on. In cause-effect writing, this statement establishes an interconnection between a phenomenon or event and its effects. Or, it can highlight the interdependence of consequences and their reasons. Through a solid thesis statement, you clarify that the impact (effects) you focus on have particular sources (causes), or you show that the subject of the text may develop and result in a certain way and have specific outcomes. To illustrate the theory, let us consider one particular phenomenon. For instance, you have to write an essay on drug addiction. Here, a good thesis statement will claim that this issue is a cause of various problems in society. You will have to gather reliable information to prove your point. Then, the task is to arrange the details that clear any "what if's." Or, you can emphasize certain aspects of our lives that can lead to drug addiction.
Core Idea of Cause and Effect Statements
Let's recall the major aspect of thesis statement development. Are there any formal criteria that you will need to meet for preparing a relevant and clear main idea? Well, there are. Your thesis statement needs to:
- Be precise and coherent. That should be a message which you can develop and support throughout the text.
- Show an interconnection between one cause and its effects or one effect and its causes.
- Be well-organized(one sentence long). The reader should be able to understand the focus of your writing from one phrase.
- Be academically arguable. There should be space for the discussion - you cannot just provide obvious things in your topic sentence.
Now, you have recalled the specifics and requirements you need to meet for formulating a sound idea. But, applying theoretical knowledge in practice is, in many perspectives, quite a challenging task. Below, we would like to offer you several examples of good thesis statements for effect and cause assignment.
Examples of Statements for Cause and Effect Writings
Look through the following essay ideas. With the help of those, you can formulate a perfect statement for a cause-effect assignment and decide what the crucial message of your assignment will look like.
We have developed six thesis statements that are focused on different issues. Some of them emphasize the consequences, and others show the reasons for a certain phenomenon development.
There can be other claims made about various subjects, their effects, or causes - that's all about your imagination, academic specialty, and professor's requirements. But the main idea should become clear to you through these thesis statement examples. The crucial message of your essay ought to be based on a relation of a cause to its effects or vice versa. The discussion of such relationships can be conducted through different strategies, and the major thing to remember is providing relevant and trustworthy evidence. Your thesis should be academically provable through various research, experiment, and other studies. Otherwise, the entire paper cannot be assessed well.
Hopefully, this has made things a bit clearer to you. Creating a good cause and effect thesis statement is a fundamental stage of any academic writing. Without formulating such a statement, you will hardly be able to come up with a relevant assignment. The quality of that one sentence is also a significant point for grading rubrics for your essay. So, you cannot just fail at this stage.
Topics to Consider
Also, we would like to offer a few cause and effect topics for your assignment. If you don't know how to formulate a central statement for your essay, look through the prompts below - may be, some of them will inspire you to come up with a brilliant idea or theory that you are ready to prove.
- Bulling in school causes mental issues in children.
- Today's industries' philisophy ruins the reasonable perception of real beauty.
- Video-games are the reason for aggressive behavior in children and teenagers.
- The development of online marketplaces makes it easy to deceive customers.
- Low moral principles cause homelessness in the country.
If you still doubt, don't forget that we are always online to lend you a helping hand. On WayWriting.com, you can cooperate with experts who know how to prepare the best thesis for a cause-effect essay and can provide you with professional academic assistance you deserve.
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Cause and Effect Essay Outline: Types, Examples and Writing Tips
20 June, 2020
9 minutes read
Author: Tomas White
This is a complete guide on writing cause and effect essays. Find a link to our essay sample at the end. Let's get started!
What is a Cause and Effect Essay?
A cause and effect essay is the type of paper that the author is using to analyze the causes and effects of a particular action or event. A curriculum usually includes this type of exercise to test your ability to understand the logic of certain events or actions.
If you can see the logic behind cause and effect in the world around you, you will encounter fewer problems when writing. If not, writing this kind of paper will give you the chance to improve your skillset and your brain’s ability to reason.
“Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
In this article, the Handmade Writing team will find out how to create an outline for your cause and effect essay – the key to successful essay writing.
Types of the Cause and Effect Essay
Before writing this kind of essay, you need to draft the structure. A good structure will result in a good paper, so it’s important to have a plan before you start. But remember , there’s no need to reinvent the wheel: just about every type of structure has already been formulated by someone.
If you are still unsure about the definition of an essay, you can take a look at our guide: What is an Essay?
Generally speaking, there are three types of cause and effect essays. We usually differentiate them by the number of and relationships between the different causes and the effects. Let’s take a quick look at these three different cases:
1. Many causes, one effect
This kind of essay illustrates how different causes can lead to one effect. The idea here is to try and examine a variety of causes, preferably ones that come from different fields, and prove how they contributed to a particular effect. If you are writing about World War I, for example, mention the political, cultural, and historical factors that led to the great war.
By examining a range of fundamental causes, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge about the topic.
Here is how to structure this type of essay:
- Introduction
- Cause #3 (and so on…)
- The effect of the causes
2. One cause, many effects
This type of cause and effect essay is constructed to show the various effects of a particular event, problem, or decision. Once again, you will have to demonstrate your comprehensive knowledge and analytical mastery of the field. There is no need to persuade the reader or present your argument . When writing this kind of essay, in-depth knowledge of the problem or event’s roots will be of great benefit. If you know why it happened, it will be much easier to write about its effects.
Here is the structure for this kind of essay:
- Effect #3 (and so on…)
3. Chain of causes and effects
This is the most challenging type. You need to maintain a chain of logic that demonstrates a sequence of actions and consequences, leading to the end of the chain. Although this is usually the most interesting kind of cause and effect essay, it can also be the most difficult to write.
Here is the outline structure:
- Effect #1 = Cause #2
- Effect #2 = Cause #3
- Effect #3 = Cause #4 (and so on…)
Cause and Effect Essay Outline Example
Let’s take a look at an example. Below, you will find an outline for the topic “The causes of obesity” (Type 1) :
As you can see, we used a blended strategy here. When writing about the ever-increasing consumption of unhealthy food, it is logical to talk about the marketing strategies that encourage people to buy fast food. If you are discussing fitness trainers, it is important to mention that people need to be checked by a doctor more often, etc.
In case you face some issues with writing your Cause and Effect essay, you can always count on our Essay Writers !
How do I start writing once I have drafted the structure?
If you start by structuring each paragraph and collecting suitable examples, the writing process will be much simpler. The final essay might not come up as a classic five paragraph essay – it all depends on the cause-effect chain and the number of statements of your essay.
In the Introduction, try to give the reader a general idea of what the cause and effect essay will contain. For an experienced reader, a thesis statement will be an indication that you know what you are writing about. It is also important to emphasize how and why this problem is relevant to modern life. If you ever need to write about the Caribbean crisis, for instance, state that the effects of the Cold War are still apparent in contemporary global politics.
Related Post: How to write an Essay introduction | How to write a Thesis statement
In the Body, provide plenty of details about what causes led to the effects. Once again, if you have already assembled all the causes and effects with their relevant examples when writing your plan, you shouldn’t have any problems. But, there are some things to which you must pay particular attention. To begin with, try to make each paragraph the same length: it looks better visually. Then, try to avoid weak or unconvincing causes. This is a common mistake, and the reader will quickly realize that you are just trying to write enough characters to reach the required word count.
Moreover, you need to make sure that your causes are actually linked to their effects. This is particularly important when you write a “chained” cause and effect essay (type 3) . You need to be able to demonstrate that each cause was actually relevant to the final result. As I mentioned before, writing the Body without preparing a thorough and logical outline is often an omission.
The Conclusion must be a summary of the thesis statement that you proposed in the Introduction. An effective Conclusion means that you have a well-developed understanding of the subject. Notably, writing the Conclusion can be one of the most challenging parts of this kind of project. You typically write the Conclusion once you have finished the Body, but in practice, you will sometimes find that a well-written conclusion will reveal a few mistakes of logic in the body!
Cause and Effect Essay Sample
Be sure to check the sample essay, completed by our writers. Use it as an example to write your own cause and effect essay. Link: Cause and effect essay sample: Advertising ethic issues .
Tips and Common Mistakes from Our Expert Writers
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10.8 Cause and Effect
Learning objectives.
- Determine the purpose and structure of cause and effect in writing.
- Understand how to write a cause-and-effect essay.
The Purpose of Cause and Effect in Writing
It is often considered human nature to ask, “why?” and “how?” We want to know how our child got sick so we can better prevent it from happening in the future, or why our colleague a pay raise because we want one as well. We want to know how much money we will save over the long term if we buy a hybrid car. These examples identify only a few of the relationships we think about in our lives, but each shows the importance of understanding cause and effect.
A cause is something that produces an event or condition; an effect is what results from an event or condition. The purpose of the cause-and-effect essay is to determine how various phenomena relate in terms of origins and results. Sometimes the connection between cause and effect is clear, but often determining the exact relationship between the two is very difficult. For example, the following effects of a cold may be easily identifiable: a sore throat, runny nose, and a cough. But determining the cause of the sickness can be far more difficult. A number of causes are possible, and to complicate matters, these possible causes could have combined to cause the sickness. That is, more than one cause may be responsible for any given effect. Therefore, cause-and-effect discussions are often complicated and frequently lead to debates and arguments.
Use the complex nature of cause and effect to your advantage. Often it is not necessary, or even possible, to find the exact cause of an event or to name the exact effect. So, when formulating a thesis, you can claim one of a number of causes or effects to be the primary, or main, cause or effect. As soon as you claim that one cause or one effect is more crucial than the others, you have developed a thesis.
Consider the causes and effects in the following thesis statements. List a cause and effect for each one on your own sheet of paper.
- The growing childhood obesity epidemic is a result of technology.
- Much of the wildlife is dying because of the oil spill.
- The town continued programs that it could no longer afford, so it went bankrupt.
- More young people became politically active as use of the Internet spread throughout society.
- While many experts believed the rise in violence was due to the poor economy, it was really due to the summer-long heat wave.
Write three cause-and-effect thesis statements of your own for each of the following five broad topics.
- Health and nutrition
The Structure of a Cause-and-Effect Essay
The cause-and-effect essay opens with a general introduction to the topic, which then leads to a thesis that states the main cause, main effect, or various causes and effects of a condition or event.
The cause-and-effect essay can be organized in one of the following two primary ways:
- Start with the cause and then talk about the effects.
- Start with the effect and then talk about the causes.
For example, if your essay were on childhood obesity, you could start by talking about the effect of childhood obesity and then discuss the cause or you could start the same essay by talking about the cause of childhood obesity and then move to the effect.
Regardless of which structure you choose, be sure to explain each element of the essay fully and completely. Explaining complex relationships requires the full use of evidence, such as scientific studies, expert testimony, statistics, and anecdotes.
Because cause-and-effect essays determine how phenomena are linked, they make frequent use of certain words and phrases that denote such linkage. See Table 10.4 “Phrases of Causation” for examples of such terms.
Table 10.4 Phrases of Causation
The conclusion should wrap up the discussion and reinforce the thesis, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the relationship that was analyzed.
Be careful of resorting to empty speculation. In writing, speculation amounts to unsubstantiated guessing. Writers are particularly prone to such trappings in cause-and-effect arguments due to the complex nature of finding links between phenomena. Be sure to have clear evidence to support the claims that you make.
Look at some of the cause-and-effect relationships from Note 10.83 “Exercise 2” . Outline the links you listed. Outline one using a cause-then-effect structure. Outline the other using the effect-then-cause structure.
Writing a Cause-and-Effect Essay
Choose an event or condition that you think has an interesting cause-and-effect relationship. Introduce your topic in an engaging way. End your introduction with a thesis that states the main cause, the main effect, or both.
Organize your essay by starting with either the cause-then-effect structure or the effect-then-cause structure. Within each section, you should clearly explain and support the causes and effects using a full range of evidence. If you are writing about multiple causes or multiple effects, you may choose to sequence either in terms of order of importance. In other words, order the causes from least to most important (or vice versa), or order the effects from least important to most important (or vice versa).
Use the phrases of causation when trying to forge connections between various events or conditions. This will help organize your ideas and orient the reader. End your essay with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and reinforces your thesis. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample cause-and-effect essay.
Choose one of the ideas you outlined in Note 10.85 “Exercise 3” and write a full cause-and-effect essay. Be sure to include an engaging introduction, a clear thesis, strong evidence and examples, and a thoughtful conclusion.
Key Takeaways
- The purpose of the cause-and-effect essay is to determine how various phenomena are related.
- The thesis states what the writer sees as the main cause, main effect, or various causes and effects of a condition or event.
The cause-and-effect essay can be organized in one of these two primary ways:
- Start with the cause and then talk about the effect.
- Start with the effect and then talk about the cause.
- Strong evidence is particularly important in the cause-and-effect essay due to the complexity of determining connections between phenomena.
- Phrases of causation are helpful in signaling links between various elements in the essay.
Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay: Full Guide
Ever wondered how things are connected in our world? Think of the butterfly effect—where a butterfly's wings in Brazil can set off a tornado in Texas. It's a quirky idea, but it shows how events are intertwined. Writing a cause and effect essay is like unraveling these connections, connecting the dots to reveal how things influence each other and shape our experiences.
In this guide, experts from our paper writing service will explore the concept of causality and share practical tips for creating great cause and effect essays. These essays won't just provide information—they'll leave a lasting impression on your readers.
What Is a Cause and Effect Essay
A cause and effect essay is a form of writing that aims to explore and explain the relationships between different events, actions, or circumstances. The central idea is to investigate why certain things happen (causes) and what results from those occurrences (effects). It's like peeling back the layers to reveal the interconnectedness of events, understanding the domino effect in the narrative of life.
Here's a breakdown of the key components:
- Causes: These are the factors or events that initiate a particular situation. They are the reasons behind why something occurs. For instance, if you're exploring the cause of obesity, factors like unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity could be identified as causes.
- Effects: The effects are the outcomes or consequences that result from the identified causes. Following the obesity example, effects could include health issues, reduced quality of life, or increased healthcare costs.
- Connection: The heart of a cause and effect essay lies in demonstrating the link between causes and effects. It's not just about listing events but explaining how one event leads to another in a logical and coherent manner.
When crafting such an essay, you're essentially acting as a storyteller and investigator rolled into one. Your goal is to guide the reader through the web of interconnected events, providing insights into the 'why' and 'what happens next.'
How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay with Easy Steps
Understanding how to write a cause and effect essay is like putting together a puzzle. Here are ten simple steps to help you write an engaging essay that looks into how things are connected.
1. Select a Specific Topic
- Choose a cause and effect relationship that sparks your interest.
- Ensure your topic is focused and manageable for a thorough exploration.
2. Explore Causal Links
- Conduct thorough research to uncover hidden connections and supporting evidence.
- Look beyond the obvious to identify intricate relationships between causes and effects.
3. Craft a Clear Thesis Statement
- Develop a precise thesis that clearly articulates the main cause and the resulting effects.
- Your thesis serves as the roadmap for your essay, guiding readers through your analysis.
4. Organize Chronologically or by Significance
- Structure your essay in a logical order, either chronologically or by the significance of events.
- This organization enhances clarity and helps readers follow the cause-and-effect progression.
5. Utilize Transitional Phrases
- Employ transition words and phrases to ensure seamless flow between causes and effects.
- Clear transitions enhance readability and strengthen the coherence of your essay.
6. Support Arguments with Credible Evidence
- Back up your claims with relevant data, examples, and statistics.
- Strong evidence adds credibility to your analysis and reinforces the cause-and-effect relationships you present.
7. Illustrate Chain Reactions
- Show how a single cause can trigger a chain of effects, and vice versa.
- Illustrate the ripple effects to emphasize the complexity of the relationships.
8. Analyze Root Causes
- Move beyond surface-level explanations and explore the underlying factors contributing to the cause-and-effect scenario.
- Deep analysis adds depth and nuance to your essay.
9. Consider Alternative Causes
- Address potential counterarguments to showcase a comprehensive understanding.
- Acknowledging alternative causes strengthens your essay's overall credibility.
10. Conclude with Impact
- Summarize key points and emphasize the broader significance of your analysis.
- Leave your readers with a thought-provoking conclusion that ties together the cause-and-effect relationships explored in your essay.
Cause and Effect Essay Structure Types
When setting up your essay, you can choose from different structures to make it organized. Let's look at two common types of cause and effect essay structures:
- Block Structure:
The block structure is a clear and organized way to present causes and effects in your essay. Here, you dedicate one section to discussing all the causes, covering multiple causes within each category. After that, you have another section to explore all the effects. This separation makes your ideas easy to understand.
Using the block structure allows you to dive deep into each category, thoroughly looking at causes and effects separately. It's handy when you want to give a detailed analysis and show the importance of each part of the causal relationship. This way, readers can fully grasp each element before moving on.
- Chain Structure:
On the other hand, the chain structure focuses on how events are connected and create ripple effects. It highlights how one cause leads to a specific effect, and that effect becomes the cause of more effects in an ongoing chain. This method is potent for illustrating the complexity of causal relationships.
The chain structure works well when you want to emphasize the sequence of events or deal with intricate cause-and-effect scenarios. It allows you to show how actions trigger a series of reactions, displaying the domino effect that leads to a specific outcome.
Regardless of the structural style you choose, if you require assistance with your academic paper, reach out to us with your ' write my paper for me ' request. Our experienced team is ready to tailor your paper to your specific requirements and ensure its excellence.
Cause and Effect Essay Outline
Creating an effective cause and effect essay begins with a well-structured outline. This roadmap helps you organize your thoughts, maintain a logical flow, and ensure that your essay effectively conveys the causal relationships between events. Below, we'll outline the key components of the essay along with examples:
I. Introduction
- Hook: Start with an engaging statement or fact. Example: 'Did you know that stress can significantly impact your overall health?'
- Background Information: Provide context for your topic. Example: 'In today's fast-paced world, stress has become an increasingly prevalent issue.'
- Thesis Statement: Clearly state the main cause and its corresponding effects. Example: 'This essay will explore the causes of stress and their profound negative effects on physical and mental health.'
II. Body Paragraphs
- Topic Sentence: Introduce the first cause you'll discuss. Example: 'One major cause of stress is heavy workload.'
- Supporting Details: Provide evidence and examples to support the cause. Example: 'For instance, individuals juggling multiple job responsibilities and tight deadlines often experience heightened stress levels.'
- Transition: Link to the next cause or move on to the effects.
- Topic Sentence: Introduce the first effect. Example: 'The effects of chronic stress on physical health can be devastating.'
- Supporting Details: Present data or examples illustrating the impact. Example: 'Studies have shown that prolonged stress can lead to cardiovascular problems, including hypertension and heart disease.'
- Transition: Connect to the next effect or cause.
C. Causes (Continued)
- Topic Sentence: Introduce the next cause in a new cause and effect paragraph. Example: 'Another significant cause of stress is financial strain.'
- Supporting Details: Explain how this cause manifests and its implications. Example: 'Financial instability often results in anxiety, as individuals worry about bills, debts, and their financial future.'
- Transition: Prepare to discuss the corresponding effects.
D. Effects (Continued)
- Topic Sentence: Discuss the effects related to financial strain. Example: 'The psychological effects of financial stress can be profound.'
- Supporting Details: Offer real-life examples or psychological insights. Example: 'Depression and anxiety are common consequences of constant financial worries, affecting both mental well-being and daily life.'
III. Conclusion
- Restate Thesis: Summarize the main cause and effects. Example: 'In summary, the heavy workload and financial strain can lead to stress, impacting both physical and mental health.'
- Closing Thoughts: Reflect on the broader significance of your analysis. Example: 'Understanding these causal relationships emphasizes the importance of stress management and financial planning in maintaining a balanced and healthy life.'
Cause and Effect Essay Examples
To help you grasp cause and effect essay writing with clarity, we have prepared two distinct essay examples that will guide you through the intricacies of both block and chain structures. Additionally, should you ever find yourself requiring assistance with academic writing or descriptive essays examples , simply send us your ' write my research paper ' request. Our expert writers are here to provide the support you need!
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Cause and Effect Essay Topics
Choosing a good topic starts with recognizing cause and effect key words. Here are 10 interesting topics that let you dig into fascinating connections and their important consequences:
- The Relationship Between Lack of Exercise and Mental Health in Older Adults
- Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Workplace Productivity
- The Impact of Cyberbullying on Adolescents' Emotional Well-being
- Influence of Social Media Advertising on Consumer Purchasing Decisions
- Consequences of Oil Spills on Coastal Ecosystems
- How Noise Pollution Affects Concentration and Academic Performance in Schools
- The Connection Between Fast-Food Marketing and Childhood Obesity
- Effects of Urbanization on Water Quality in Local Rivers
- The Relationship Between Indoor Plants and Air Quality in Homes
- Impact of Plastic Pollution on Wildlife in Urban Environments
- The Effect of Meditation on Stress Reduction in College Students
- How Increased Screen Time Affects Teenagers' Attention Span
- The Impact of Single-Use Plastics on Marine Microorganisms
- The Relationship Between Smartphone Use and Sleep Quality in Adults
- Effects of High-Fructose Corn Syrup on Metabolic Health
- The Consequences of Deforestation on Local Biodiversity
- Influence of Social Media Comparison on Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescents
- The Connection Between Air Pollution and Respiratory Health in Urban Areas
- Effects of Excessive Gaming on Academic Performance in High School Students
- The Impact of Fast Food Consumption on Childhood Obesity Rates
Final Words
Knowing what a cause and effect essay is and how to write it helps you uncover connections in different topics. With this guide, you can share your ideas in a clear and impactful way.
Meanwhile, if you're in need of a reaction paper example , rest assured we have you covered as well. So, seize this opportunity, put your thoughts on paper logically, and witness your essays leaving a lasting and influential mark.
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How to Write a Cause & Effect Essay: Examples, Outline, & Tips
You don’t need to be a nerd to understand the general idea behind cause and effect essays. Let’s see! If you skip a meal, you get hungry. And if you write an essay about it, your goal is achieved!
However, following multiple rules of academic writing can be a tough task. But don’t worry; this guide can help you finish your cause and effect writing assignment on time and with little to no stress. By the end of this article by Custom-Writing.org experts, you will know the structure and variations of this essay type. Long story short, it’s a full guide on how to write a cause and effect essay (with examples!).
❓ What Is a Cause and Effect Essay?
✍️ how to write a cause and effect essay.
- 💡 Choose Your Topic
- 🎓 Create a Thesis Statement
- 📑 Outline Your Essay
- 📝 Develop the Paragraphs
- 👀 Essay Examples
🔗 References
A cause and effect essay’s main focus is to work through the relationship between two events . Specifically, it highlights how one event leads to the second one. The writing structure changes depending on the ratio of causes to effects that you choose. Read the examples below for more detail.
As mentioned, this article can be considered the ultimate guide to writing a perfect cause and effect essay. It consists of smooth and clear instructions with examples.
- First, it tells you how to choose a suitable topic. This is vital as it becomes the foundation for your essay.
- Then, there is some information on how to choose the outline that is appropriate for your essay’s primary focus.
- Finally, you will learn what language you should use to hit the best score! It concludes with a cause and effect essay sample, which you may use as an example.
💡 Choose Your Cause and Effect Essay Topic
In order to find a good topic for your cause and effect essay, you should choose what to focus on: the causes or the effects? Not only does the whole structure of your paper depend on it, but you also need to pick a suitable topic based on that decision. Let’s see how the topic would change depending on the focus.
Cause & Effect Essay Topics
- How does noise pollution affect your physical and mental health?
- What were the main reasons of the Great Depression?
- What does a high sugar consumption do to our health?
- The impact of social media on children’s mantal health.
- Reasons and effect of gender segregation in the labor market.
- What induces people to take drugs ?
- The main reasons for parking shortage in big cities .
- How can regular exercises add to our physical and mental wellbeing?
- How did World War II affect social and political structure of the world?
- The main factors that caused the global poverty.
🎓 Create a Cause and Effect Thesis Statement
The best cause and effect essays also have a well-prepared thesis statement . Generally, the thesis statement would point out your point of view and your essay’s main ideas. Here, however, you should also not forget to highlight whether the focus is on causes or effects. You can use a thesis statement generator for essay to speed up the creation process. For instance, this statement highlights the effects of daily walks, states that the author supports this idea, and presents one thing that causes three effects:
Walking for at least half an hour every day can bring numerous positive benefits for your health: it improves blood circulation, strengthens joints, and helps with weight loss.
📑 Outline Your Cause and Effect Essay
Like the topic, your cause and effect essay outline is affected by your writing focus. The structure depends on how many relations you choose to highlight. For instance, there may be only one leading cause or multiple. The same is with effects. Moreover, there is one additional type.
Many Causes, One Effect
In this kind of essay, you would focus on discussing as many related causes as you can think of. An additional advantage would be if you could select various causes from different areas. But remember to prove that they all lead to one effect.
This cause and effect essay structure reflects the general outline you are used to (remember that conclusion is usually a paraphrase of a thesis statement from the introduction).
Many Causes, One Effect Essay Outline Example
1. Introduction
1.1. Thesis statement: Bullying begins with personal desires or family issues and leads to increased numbers of suffering children.
2. Main body
2.1. Cause 1: Bullies want to be noticed.
2.2. Cause 2: They want to feel superior.
2.3. Cause 3: There are issues at home.
2.4. Effect: Many innocent kids become victims of bullying.
3. Conclusion
One Cause, Many Effects
The outline of this type of essay would look a lot like the previous one, except that the ratio of causes and effects is mirrored. You should be quite competent in the topic you’re working on to produce a quality essay.
One Cause, Many Effects Essay Outline Example
1.1. Thesis Statement: Overusing social media can lead to adverse psychological and emotional effects.
2.1. Cause: Spending too much time on social media, watching other users’ lives.
2.2. Effect 1: Users become more self-conscious about their appearance or quality of life.
2.3. Effect 2: It takes up time that could have been used for more useful activities.
2.3. Effect 3: Real-life relationships and other commitments suffer.
Cause-Effect Chain
It may be more challenging than the other essays. The structure of this type of writing reflects a chain reaction. The effect of the initial cause leads to another cause and effect cycle. You will need to be careful and very attentive in order to maintain the logical order.
1.1. Thesis Statement: Through the chain of causes and effects, it can be observed that the use of hair spray may lead to a global catastrophe.
2.1. Cause and effect chain #1: Chlorofluorocarbons were used to make hairsprays 50 years ago, but they are harmful to the ozone layer – some of them are still in the atmosphere ruining ozone molecules.
2.2. Cause and effect chain #2: Less ozone layer causes icebergs to melt faster.
2.3. Cause and effect chain #3. Melting ice causes the sea level to rise and flood the land.
📝 Develop Your Cause and Effect Paragraphs
Since we are talking about academic writing here, it’s essential to keep your language appropriate. The most commonly used word, in this case, is “because .” However, you shouldn’t overuse it.
There are quite a few ready-to-use phrases that are most suitable for this type of essay. Include these in your cause and effect paragraphs to make the transition between ideas smoother and your writing more coherent:
- As a consequence, …
- It leads to…
- (The cause) results in / causes / influences (the effect)
- The key factors are…
- One of the results is…
- The primary effect of (the cause) is…
Don’t forget to use sentence connectors, such as:
- In addition
- Furthermore
- Consequently
After completing the first draft, you should proofread your writing and carefully check that there are no sentence fragments, like this:
Because I haven’t slept in two days before the exam.
Sometimes, rushing through the writing process may lead your thoughts astray, and you leave the ending of the sentence unfinished. However, it’s a severe mistake, so try to avoid it.
In addition, you should not mix the verb tenses. If you are describing a past event, stick to the past tense. Of course, it may depend on the situation. For instance, the present tense is used to talk about universal truth, while different tenses can be used for writing a report.
👀 Cause and Effect Essay Examples
We have gone step by step through the process of writing a good cause and effect essay. Now, finally, you can check out how it should look altogether. The following writing follows the template of the outline about bullying that we introduced earlier. It has all the necessary elements, such as the structure, vocabulary, and the thesis statement highlighted. It is a great example of a cause and effect essay, so go ahead and read it through!
Bullying in Schools (Cause & Effect Essay Sample)
Want more samples? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a bonus list of cause and effect essay examples.
- Causes and Effects of Divorce
- Causes and Effects of Drug Addiction
- Sophocles’ Antigone: Cause & Effect Essay
- Cause and Effect: Living with Pets Improves Their Owners’ Health
- American Society Police Brutality Causes and Effects
- Causes and Effects of Fast-Food Addiction
- Diabetes: Causes and Effects of Disease
- Cause-and-effect | Definition of Cause-and-effect at Dictionary.com
- Causes and Effects – Harvard Business Review
- Cause and effect | Nature Methods
- Cause and Effect – SAGE Research Methods
- Cause and Effect in Epidemiology | SpringerLink
- Patterns in the Landscape – Analyses of Cause and Effect
- Cause and Effect Diagram – Clinical Excellence Commission
- Explaining Causality – Academic Phrasebank
- Cause and Effect Essay Examples (Your Dictionary)
- Cause and Effect – Writing for Success
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Cause & effect essays Aka reason and result
The Cause and effect essay is another common essay type, either as an essay type on its own, or as part of a larger essay which includes one or more paragraphs examining causes and effects. This page gives information on what a cause and effect essay is , how to structure this type of essay, and how to use cause and effect structure words (transition signals) for this type of essay. There is also an example cause and effect essay on the topic of women at work, as well as some exercises to help you practice this area.
What are cause & effect essays?
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A cause and effect essay looks at the reasons (or causes) for something, then discusses the results (or effects). For this reason, cause and effect essays are sometimes referred to as reason and result essays. They are one of the most common forms of organisation in academic writing. Sometimes the whole essay will be cause and effect, though sometimes this may be only part of the whole essay. It is also possible, especially for short exam essays, that only the causes or the effects, not both, are discussed. See the examples below.
- Discuss the causes and effects of global warming ['cause and effect' essay]
- Explain the high death rate in Chernobyl ['causes' only essay]
- Discuss the WTO and its effects on the Chinese economy ['effects' only essay]
There are two main ways to structure a cause and effect essay. These are similar to the ways to structure problem-solution essays , namely using a block or a chain structure. For the block structure, all of the causes are listed first, and all of the effects are listed afterwards. For the chain structure, each cause is followed immediately by the effect. Usually that effect will then be the cause of the next effect, which is why this structure is called 'chain'. Both types of structure have their merits. The former is generally clearer, especially for shorter essays, while the latter ensures that any effects you present relate directly to the causes you have given.
The two types of structure, block and chain , are shown in the diagram below.
Cause and Effect Structure Words
Cause and effect structure words are transition signals which show the cause and effect relationships. It is important to be clear which is the cause (or reason) and which is the effect (or result), and to use the correct transition word or phrase. Remember that a cause happens first , and the effect happens later .
Below are some common cause and effect structure words. X is used to indicate a cause, while Y is used to indicate the effect.
- The first cause of (Y) is (X)
- The next reason is (X)
- Because of (X), (Y)
- As a result of (X), (Y)
- As a consequence of (X), (Y)
- because/since/as (X)
- to result from (X)
- (X) results in (Y)
- to be the result of (X)
- (Y) is due to (X)
- Owing to (X), (Y)
- (Y) is because of (X)
- (Y) is the effect of (X)
- (Y) is the consequence of (X)
- Worsening pollution levels in cities are due to the increased use of cars.
- Because of the increased use of cars, pollution levels in cities are worsening.
- As a result of the increased use of cars, pollution levels in cities are worsening.
- The effect of the increased use of cars is a worsening of pollution levels in cities.
- The first effect of (X) is (Y)
- Another result of (X) is (Y)
- As a result, (Y)
- As a consequence, (Y)
- Consequently (Y)
- Therefore, (Y)
- (X) causes (Y)
- (X) has an effect on (Y)
- (X) affects (Y)
- (X) is one of the causes of (Y)
- (X) is the reason for (Y)
- Cars are used increasingly for urban transport. As a consequence , pollution levels in cities are worsening.
- Increased use of cars for urban transport adversely affects pollution levels in cities.
- Increased use of cars for urban transport is one of the causes of worsening pollution levels in cities.
Example essay
Below is a cause and effect essay. This essay uses the block structure . Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay, i.e. Causes, Effects, and structure words. This will highlight not simply the paragraphs, but also the thesis statement and summary , as these repeat the causes and effects contained in the main body.
Title: More and more women are now going out to work and some women are now the major salary earner in the family. What are the causes of this, and what effect is this having on families and society?
In the past, most women stayed at home to take care of domestic chores such as cooking or cleaning. Women's liberation and feminism have meant that this situation has been transformed and in contemporary society women are playing an almost equal role to men in terms of work. This has had significant consequences , both in terms of the family , for example by improving quality of life and increasing children's sense of independence , and also for society itself with greater gender equality . The main reasons behind the increase of women in the workplace are women's liberation and feminism. The women's liberation movement originated in the 1960s and was popularised by authors such as Simone de Beauvoir. As a consequence of this, new legislation emerged, granting women equal rights to men in many fields, in particular employment. Because of feminist ideas, men have taken up roles which were previously seen as being for women only, most importantly those related to child rearing. As a result of this, women have more time to pursue their own careers and interests. These have led to some significant effects, both to family life and to society as a whole. Although the earning capacity of a woman in her lifetime is generally much less than that of a man, she can nevertheless make a significant contribution to the family income. The most important consequence of this is an improved quality of life. By helping to maintain a steady income for the family, the pressure on the husband is considerably reduced, hence improving both the husband's and the wife's emotional wellbeing. Additionally, the purchasing power of the family will also be raised. This means that the family can afford more luxuries such as foreign travel and a family car. A further effect on the family is the promotion of independence in the children. Some might argue that having both parents working might be damaging to the children because of a lack of parental attention. However, such children have to learn to look after themselves at an earlier age, and their parents often rely on them to help with the housework. This therefore teaches them important life skills. As regards society, the most significant impact of women going to work is greater gender equality. There are an increasing number of women who are becoming politicians, lawyers, and even CEOs and company managers. This in turn has led to greater equality for women in all areas of life, not just employment. For example, women today have much stronger legal rights to protect themselves against domestic violence and sexual discrimination in the workplace. In conclusion, the increasing number of women at work has brought about some important changes to family life, including improved quality of life and increased independence for children, as well as affecting society itself. It is clear that the sexes are still a long way from being equal in all areas of life, however, and perhaps the challenge for the present century is to ensure that this takes place.
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Below is a checklist for cause and effect essays. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.
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Author: Sheldon Smith ‖ Last modified: 16 January 2022.
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Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.
Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).
Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.
Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).
Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.
Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.
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How to structure a cause and effect essay. Structurally, a cause and effect essay is similar to other types of essays. It starts with an introduction paragraph where you hook your reader, state your thesis, and give a quick preview of the points you'll make to support your thesis.. Following the introduction, each point supporting your thesis has its own section.
Analyze the Relationship: Clarify how the cause leads to the effect, showing the cause-and-effect link. Cause and effect essays are common in various academic disciplines. For instance, studies in sciences, history, and the social sciences rely on essential cause and effect questions.
Your thesis should be academically provable through various research, experiment, and other studies. Otherwise, the entire paper cannot be assessed well. Hopefully, this has made things a bit clearer to you. Creating a good cause and effect thesis statement is a fundamental stage of any academic writing.
Generally speaking, there are three types of cause and effect essays. We usually differentiate them by the number of and relationships between the different causes and the effects. Let's take a quick look at these three different cases: 1. Many causes, one effect. This kind of essay illustrates how different causes can lead to one effect.
The purpose of the cause-and-effect essay is to determine how various phenomena are related. The thesis states what the writer sees as the main cause, main effect, or various causes and effects of a condition or event. The cause-and-effect essay can be organized in one of these two primary ways: Start with the cause and then talk about the effect.
Look beyond the obvious to identify intricate relationships between causes and effects. 3. Craft a Clear Thesis Statement. Develop a precise thesis that clearly articulates the main cause and the resulting effects. Your thesis serves as the roadmap for your essay, guiding readers through your analysis. 4. Organize Chronologically or by Significance
Additionally, incorporating multiple effects is permissible. A thorough understanding of cause-and-effect papers is essential for this assignment. Write a Draft. Using your outline as a guide, introduce your first draft. Ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that supports your cause-and-effect thesis statement. Proofread Your Work
The Chain Method of Structuring Cause and Effect Essays. In the chain method, the causes and their effects are discussed together, in the same or consecutive paragraphs. This arrangement is useful for more complex cause and effect relationships, such as when the thesis draws a connection between two events or factors that are not immediately ...
The best cause and effect essays also have a well-prepared thesis statement. Generally, the thesis statement would point out your point of view and your essay's main ideas. Here, however, you should also not forget to highlight whether the focus is on causes or effects. You can use a thesis statement generator for essay to speed up the ...
For this reason, cause and effect essays are sometimes referred to as reason and result essays. They are one of the most common forms of organisation in academic writing. Sometimes the whole essay will be cause and effect, though sometimes this may be only part of the whole essay. It is also possible, especially for short exam essays, that only ...