cause and effect chain essay examples

Cause And Effect Essay Examples

Read Cause and Effect Essay Examples and Tips Here

Published on: Jan 23, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 23, 2023

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Your teacher assigned you a cause and effect essay. Well, where should you start?

Establishing a relationship between causes and effects is no simple task. You need to ensure logical connections between variables and find credible evidence for the connections. It requires the epitome of your analytical and critical abilities. So it is natural to be confused about where to begin.

However, don't get overwhelmed by the sound of it. And don't let it stop you from getting the grade you deserve.

You can start by reading some great cause and effect essay examples. These examples can give you some inspiration and help you see how a cause and effect essay is supposed to be written.

Check out our cause and effect essay examples and tips. With these resources, you'll be able to write an awesome paper in no time.

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What is a Cause and Effect Essay?

A cause and effect essay is a type of essay that describes the causes or effects (or both) of a specific phenomenon.

The main goal of a cause and effect essay is to explain why something happens, happened, or is happening. It can also be used to predict what might happen in the future as a result of something that has already occurred.

It is a mixture of expository (explanatory) and analytical writing. It requires analysis and exposition of the issue in question. Moreover, a cause and effect essay requires finding evidence for causal connections and relationships between two or more phenomena.

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.

Many basic questions we ask in academic writing are essentially cause and effect questions. For instance, "what are the effects of climate change?" or "what are the causes of poverty?"

Cause and effect essays deepen our understanding of the topic. That is why learning how to write a good cause and effect essay is important.

Let's read some examples of cause and effect essays and see how it's done.

Cause and Effect Essay Examples

Here we have compiled a bunch of cause and effect essays. You can use these samples to note how the essays fulfilled their purpose effectively.

Cause and Effect Essay For College Example

Cause and Effect Essay Sample

Cause and Effect Essay Example for High School

Cause And Effect Essay on Unemployment

Cause And Effect Essay on Homelessness

Cause and Effect Essay Topics

There are hundreds of topics on which you can write cause and effect essays. Even so, students sometimes get stuck while choosing a topic.

Here is a list of cause and effect essay topics to help you out. You can choose a topic from this list, or you can use this list to help motivate your mind to come up with more similar topics.

Easy Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• The effects of social media on real social networks
• The causes of cyber bullying
• The effects of global warming
• The causes of poverty
• The effects of racism
• The causes of homelessness
• The effects of war
• The causes of divorce

Tips For Writing a Good Cause and Effect Essay

If you want to write a good cause and effect essay, then you need to follow some simple tips.

Choose an Interesting Topic

Usually, the teachers assign the topics or provide essay prompts to choose from. Make sure that you choose the topic that grabs your interest.

Moreover, as the essay requires extensive research, choose a topic that is well-researched and adequately studied.

Gather Evidence

You have to perform proper research and gather plenty of evidence regarding the topic. You can do that by reading research papers, journal articles, and other academic material.

Make sure that the material you read is credible, relevant, and authoritative. Finding causes and establishing effects is a tricky business, so you need to be careful about what evidence you choose.

Write a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the main argument of your essay. In a cause and effect essay, the thesis statement should explain to the reader the main causes and/or effects of some phenomenon.

Strong thesis statements are important because they help to focus your thinking and organize your ideas. So make sure it is clear and concise. 

Make a Structured Outline

After you gather evidence and form a thesis statement, you need to arrange your points in an outline. You need to make sure your essay flows smoothly from one paragraph to the next.

A cause and effect essay outline is generally written using one of two structures: The “chain” structure or the “block” structure. 

Both structures include an introduction, cause and effect essay body paragraphs, and conclusion. They differ in how the body paragraphs are structured.

The “chain” structure moves from one cause to one effect. This is generally the more straightforward of the two structures and is easier to write. It looks like this: 

The “block” structure organizes information in groups of causes/effects together. This is generally the more complex of the two structures and, thus, harder to write. It looks like this: 

Begin Writing!

You have finally reached the most important stage of your writing process. After you have done your research and created an outline, the only thing left to do is to start writing.

We know it is the most difficult stage as well. However, following the above tips will help you gain more confidence.

So start working! You can always come back and check out the examples if you have any confusion. 

If you still need further help, you can hire a professional essay writer . At MyPerfectWords.com, you can hire experienced and qualified college essay writers to help you out. 

We are the top choice for students when it comes to taking help from an essay writing service . This is because we have offered reliable college essay writing services through our writing professionals to thousands of students. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which are three types of cause and effect essays.

The three types of cause and effect essays are:

1. Multiple causes, single effect essay 2. Single cause, multiple effect essay 3. Multiple or chain of causes and effect essay

What is an example of cause and effect writing?

There are two ways to write cause and effect sentences. In the first type, you state the cause first and then state the effect. For example: "I ate tons of junk food, so now I feel sick."

In the second type, you state the effect first and then state the cause. For example: "I feel sick because I ate tons of junk food." The second sentence is usually used when explaining why something happened.

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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?

For another look at the same content, check out YouTube » or Youku » , or this infographic » .

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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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.

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!

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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!

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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.

Receive a plagiarism-free paper tailored to your instructions.

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:

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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
• Child Abuse and Health of Nation: Cause & Effect
• Cause and Effect: Living with Pets Improves Their Owners’ Health
• American Society Police Brutality Causes and Effects
• Civil War in the US: Causes and Effects
• Causes and Effects of Fast-Food Addiction
• Diabetes: Causes and Effects of Disease
• Tsunamis in Australia: Causes and Adverse Effects
• 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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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.

Cause and Effect in Composition

Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

In composition , cause and effect is a method of paragraph or essay development in which a writer analyzes the reasons for—and/or the consequences of—an action, event, or decision.

A cause-and-effect paragraph or essay can be organized in various ways. For instance, causes and/or effects can be arranged in either chronological order or reverse chronological order. Alternatively, points can be presented in terms of emphasis , from least important to most important, or vice versa.

Examples and Observations

• "If you prove the cause , you at once prove the effect ; and conversely nothing can exist without its cause." (Aristotle, Rhetoric )
• Immediate Causes and Ultimate Causes "Determining causes and effects is usually thought-provoking and quite complex. One reason for this is that there are two types of causes: immediate causes , which are readily apparent because they are closest to the effect, and ultimate causes , which, being somewhat removed, are not so apparent and may perhaps even be hidden. Furthermore, ultimate causes may bring about effects which themselves become immediate causes, thus creating a causal chain . For example, consider the following causal chain: Sally, a computer salesperson, prepared extensively for a meeting with a client (ultimate cause), impressed the client (immediate cause), and made a very large sale (effect). The chain did not stop there: the large sale caused her to be promoted by her employer (effect)." (Alfred Rosa and Paul Eschholz, Models for Writers , 6th ed. St. Martin's Press, 1998)
• Composing a Cause/Effect Essay "For all its conceptual complexity, a cause/effect essay can be organized quite simply. The introduction generally presents the subject(s) and states the purpose of the analysis in a clear thesis . The body of the paper then explores all relevant causes and/or effects, typically progressing from least to most influential or from most to least influential. Finally, the concluding section summarizes the various cause/effect relationships established in the body of the paper and clearly states the conclusions that can be drawn from those relationships." (Kim Flachmann, Michael Flachmann, Kathryn Benander, and Cheryl Smith, The Brief Prose Reader . Prentice Hall, 2003)
• Causes of Child Obesity "Many of today's kids are engaged in sedentary pursuits made possible by a level of technology unthinkable as recently as 25 to 30 years ago. Computer, video, and other virtual games, the ready availability of feature films and games on DVD, plus high-tech advancements in music-listening technology have come down into the range of affordability for parents and even for the kids themselves. These passive pursuits have produced a downside of reduced physical activity for the kids, often with the explicit or implicit consent of the parents. . . . "Other fairly recent developments have also contributed to the alarming rise in child obesity rates. Fast food outlets offering consumables that are both low in price and low in nutritional content have exploded all over the American landscape since the 1960s, especially in suburban areas close to major highway interchanges. Kids on their lunch breaks or after school often congregate in these fast food outlets, consuming food and soft drinks that are high in sugar, carbohydrates, and fat. Many parents, themselves, frequently take their children to these fast food places, thus setting an example the kids can find justification to emulate." (MacKie Shilstone, Mackie Shilstone's Body Plan for Kids . Basic Health Publications, 2009)
• Cause and Effect in Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" "'A Modest Proposal' is a brilliant example of the use of non-argumentative devices of rhetorical persuasion . The whole essay, of course, rests broadly upon the argument of cause and effect : these causes have produced this situation in Ireland, and this proposal will result in these effects in Ireland. But Swift, within the general framework of this argument, does not employ specific argumentative forms in this essay. The projector chooses rather to assert his reasons and then to amass them by way of proof ." (Charles A. Beaumont, Swift's Classical Rhetoric . Univ. of Georgia Press, 1961)
• Effects of Automobiles "I worry about the private automobile. It is a dirty, noisy, wasteful, and lonely means of travel. It pollutes the air, ruins the safety and sociability of the street, and exercises upon the individual a discipline which takes away far more freedom than it gives him. It causes an enormous amount of land to be unnecessarily abstracted from nature and from plant life and to become devoid of any natural function. It explodes cities, grievously impairs the whole institution of neighborliness, fragmentizes and destroys communities. It has already spelled the end of our cities as real cultural and social communities, and has made impossible the construction of any others in their place. Together with the airplane, it has crowded out other, more civilized and more convenient means of transport, leaving older people, infirm people, poor people and children in a worse situation than they were a hundred years ago." (George F. Kennan, Democracy and the Student Left , 1968)
• Examples and Effects of Entropy "Because of its unnerving irreversibility, entropy has been called the arrow of time. We all understand this instinctively. Children's rooms, left on their own, tend to get messy, not neat. Wood rots, metal rusts, people wrinkle and flowers wither. Even mountains wear down; even the nuclei of atoms decay. In the city we see entropy in the rundown subways and worn-out sidewalks and torn-down buildings, in the increasing disorder of our lives. We know, without asking, what is old. If we were suddenly to see the paint jump back on an old building, we would know that something was wrong. If we saw an egg unscramble itself and jump back into its shell, we would laugh in the same way we laugh as a movie run backward." (K.C. Cole, "The Arrow of Time." The New York Times , March 18, 1982)
• Writing Cause and Effect Essays for English Learners
• Development in Composition: Building an Essay
• Practice in Making a Simple Outline for a Cause & Effect Paragraph
• Cause and Effect Essay Topics
• Definition and Examples of Ethos in Classical Rhetoric
• Definition and Examples of Paragraphing in Essays
• Practice in Using Quotation Marks Correctly
• Understanding Organization in Composition and Speech
• How to Teach Topic Sentences Using Models
• What an Essay Is and How to Write One
• 50 Cause and Effect Journal Prompts
• 67 Causal Essay Topics to Consider
• Hookers vs. Chasers: How Not to Begin an Essay
• What Is Expository Writing?
• How to Structure an Essay
• Definition and Examples of Analysis in Composition

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A Guide to Writing a Cause and Effect Essay

In your academic career, you’ll write a lot of essays. You’ll write some to inform your readers about a topic and others to analyze an idea. Some will argue for or against a specific position, while others will persuade the reader to take action. Authors use various strategies to achieve each of these goals, and one of the strategies they use to inform readers is the cause and effect essay .

As its name implies, a cause and effect essay explains how certain causes result in specific effects. Knowing how to write an effective cause and effect essay is an important skill for students in just about every academic field to develop. Give your writing extra polish Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarly

What is a cause and effect essay?

A cause and effect essay is a type of expository essay that explores its topic by discussing the issue’s causes and consequences. For example, a cause and effect essay about deforestation’s role in climate change might discuss a few of deforestation’s specific causes, like a demand for wood and the clearing of land for grazing pastures, and then explain how these causes create effects that contribute to climate change. 

As with other types of expository essays, the purpose of a cause and effect essay is to educate the reader. As an expository essay writer, think of yourself as the informed explainer who gives their readers the information they need to think critically about a topic and reach their own conclusions. Your goal isn’t to persuade, argue, or entertain your readers—although there are instances when authors of argumentative and persuasive essays use cause and effect rhetoric in their writing. It’s also possible to write a creative essay using the cause and effect format. However, within the realm of academic essay writing , a cause and effect essay is an expository piece of writing. 

Cause and effect essays are similar to other kinds of expository essays in that they present facts in a clear, logical format. They employ an objective, analytical tone and stay away from flowery and inciting language. This is how they differ from argumentative, persuasive, and descriptive essays. You might use the passive voice more frequently in cause and effect essays than in other kinds of essays, especially in cause and effect essays you write for your science courses. 

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. Each section can be as short as one paragraph or contain a few paragraphs, depending on how much information you need to convey and whether your essay must adhere to a word count or page limit. There are a few different ways to organize your essay’s body paragraphs. You can discuss each cause, section by section, and then discuss each effect afterward (if there is only one effect, include just a single section about it). Alternatively, you can discuss each cause and effect pair individually, giving each pair its own section. 

The best structure for your essay depends on a few factors:

• How many causes you’re including
• How many effects you’re including
• The essay length requirement, if applicable
• How closely related the causes and effects are to each other

For example, if your essay is about a single effect with multiple causes, it might be most logical to discuss all the causes first and then write a section on their shared effect. Or if the causes and effects are more isolated from each other and you need room to explain how they fit into the bigger picture, the logical choice might be to give each cause and effect pair its own section and then tie them together in your essay’s conclusion.

As with other kinds of academic writing, the most logical structure is typically the best approach. If you aren’t sure how to structure your essay, ask your instructor for guidance. 

After writing the body paragraphs, write your essay’s conclusion . This final section summarizes the points you made in the body, underscores your thesis, and brings your essay’s position to a logical conclusion. 

How to write a cause and effect essay

To write a cause and effect essay, follow the same writing process that you follow when you’re doing other kinds of writing. Start with brainstorming your topic and jotting down any insights you have, questions you want to answer, associations you plan to make between topics, and facts you intend to reference. 

After brainstorming , take your notes and create an organized outline . Remember, your essay outline is a guideline for you to follow as you write, not a final script your essay has to follow. List each section as a header in your outline and below it write down the bullet points you plan to cover within that section. Outlining makes it easy to visualize how your final essay will look and to determine where each body paragraph logically fits into the structure. 

Once your outline is finished, it’s time to write! But before you dive into your first draft, nail down your thesis statement , if you haven’t already. This is a concise and informative statement that tells the reader exactly what your essay is about. It goes in your introduction paragraph, and each body paragraph that follows should support this statement. 

With your thesis statement prepared, write your body paragraphs using your notes from your brainstorming session. Remember what kind of essay you’re writing and frame its body paragraphs accordingly—if a supporting paragraph doesn’t clearly show how its subject is a cause leading to a specific effect, reframe it to fit this format. Remember, you’re only on the first draft, and there will be time to revise it later. 

Once you’re finished writing, give your essay time to cool off. Ideally, take about twenty-four hours before you edit it. When you go back and edit, pay close attention to how you’ve presented each cause and effect. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the relationship between each cause and associated effect clear?
• Are the causes and effects presented in a logical, coherent manner?
• Does this essay make my position clear?
• Does the essay leave the reader room to draw their own conclusion, or does it attempt to persuade or convince them of my position?

With the answers to these questions in mind, revise your essay to ensure that the content is presented in the clearest, most logical way possible. At this stage, also make sure your essay’s tone is appropriate and that there are not any glaring spelling or grammatical errors. You’ll check for these again when you proofread; the editing stage is primarily for revising your essay’s content. 

With a clean, revised second draft in hand, give it another proofread for grammatical mistakes. Grammarly can help you with this. Once it’s cleaned up, you’re ready to submit your work. 

Example outline of a cause and effect essay

As we mentioned above, there are a few different ways to structure a cause and effect essay. Here is one: 

• Introduction

This format isn’t ideal for every essay, though. In some cases, a format like this makes the content clearer:

When you’re revising your essay, feel free to play around with the format and see which makes more sense for the information you’re writing about. You’ll likely use each of these formats in different essays depending on their specific content. 

Cause and effect essay FAQs

A cause and effect essay is an expository essay that explains the relationships between specific conditions and their consequences, often within the context of a big-picture issue. These conditions are known as “causes,” and their consequences are known as “effects.” 

What is the purpose of a cause and effect essay?

The purpose of a cause and effect essay is to educate the reader about how specific conditions are linked to certain repercussions. 

How do you structure a cause and effect essay?

There are a few different ways to structure a cause and effect essay. Here are two of the most common: 

Module 4: Writing Workshop—Writing in College

Cause and effect essays, learning objectives.

• Describe techniques for highlighting cause and effect

Cause and effect is the relationship between two things when one thing makes something else happen. For example, if we eat too much food and do not exercise, we gain weight. Eating food without exercising is the “cause;” weight gain is the “effect.” There may be multiple causes and multiple effects. Looking for the reason why things happen (cause/effect) is a basic human drive. So, understanding the cause/effect text structure is essential in learning the basic ways the world works. Writers use this text structure to show order, inform, speculate, and change behavior. This text structure uses the process of identifying potential causes of a problem or issue in an orderly way. It is often used to teach social studies and science concepts.

Breaking Down Cause and Effect Assignments

Sometimes writing prompts include signal words that show cause/effect relationships, such as:  because , so, so that, if… then, consequently, thus, since, for, for this reason, as a result of, therefore, due to, this is how, nevertheless , and accordingly . 

Figure 1 . What are some known causes of heart disease? How would you format a cause and effect assignment based on this topic?

Cause and effect writing prompts will often ask the “why” question:

• Why are reality shows popular?

Sometimes they use words like analyze , connection , or relationship :

• What is the connection between greenhouse gases and climate change?
• Analyze the relationship between doing and learning

Other prompts may ask you to explain the cause and effect relationship. Look for the verb explain  as a signal word so you answer the prompt correctly.

• Explain the effects of livestock production on climate change.

Depending on the assignment, you may be asked to look for different kinds of cause/effect relationships:

• Stated cause/effect relationships : the relationship is stated clearly
• Unstated cause/effect relationships : you will need to make inferences or “read between the linked” to make connections in the relationship
• Reciprocal cause/effect relationships : effects may be part of a chain. In this kind of structure, one effect goes on to cause a second effect, which may then cause a third effect, etc.

Approaching the Assignment

Step 1 : Look for unstated cause-and-effect relationships

In some paragraphs, the cause-and-effect relationship is not directly stated. In these cases, you will have to “read between the lines” to find the cause-and-effect relationship. Use clues from the paragraph to identify a cause-and-effect relationship.

• To find the effect, ask yourself: “What happened?”
• To find the cause, ask yourself: “Why did it happen?”

Let’s look at some examples:

• Reef bleaching is the effect; global warming and rising temperatures are the cause.
• In this example, the cause is implied (being bad at team sports), and the effect, or result, is trying out for track and field.

Step 2 : Look for the signal words that show cause-and-effect relationships.

Step 3 : Look for effects that are also causes. Effects can form a chain in which one effect goes on to cause a second effect, which may then cause a third effect and so on. Study this example:

When people cut down trees to clear land, they destroy the habitats of birds. This reduces the number of nest sites. As a result, fewer baby birds are hatched, and the bird population declines.

• Cause 1: People cut down trees.
• Effect 1: The habitats of birds are destroyed.
• Effect 2: The number of nest sites is reduced.
• Effect 3: Fewer baby birds are hatched.
• Effect 4: The bird population declines.

Formatting Cause and Effect

Cause/effect paragraphs generally follow a basic paragraph format. That is, they begin with a topic sentence and this sentence is followed by specific supporting details.

For example, if the topic sentence introduces an effect, the supporting sentences all describe causes. Here is an example:

In recent decades, cities have grown so large that now about 50% of the Earth’s population lives in urban areas. There are several reasons for this occurrence. First, the increasing industrialization of the nineteenth century resulted in the creation of many factory jobs, which tended to be located in cities. These jobs, with their promise of a better material life, attracted many people from rural areas. Second, there were many schools established to educate the children of the new factory laborers. The promise of a better education persuaded many families to leave farming communities and move to the cities. Finally, as the cities grew, people established places of leisure, entertainment, and culture, such as sports stadiums, theaters, and museums. For many people, these facilities made city life appear more interesting than life on the farm, and therefore drew them away from rural communities.

Notice how each supporting sentence is a cause that explains the effect mentioned in the topic sentence. In the chart below are the main ideas of the above paragraph, to help you understand the relationships better:

Notice also how the topic sentence is followed by the “focusing” or “prediction” sentence, “There are several reasons for this.” Such sentences help the reader anticipate the organization of the paragraph or essay.

Writing Workshop: Cause and effect

Open your Working Document and find the heading “Cause and Effect.”

Effect: Anxiety has increased among college students.

Causes: List 3 ideas you have about possible causes.

Try it the other way.

What effect might be indicated by the three causes below?

• The average U.S. resident spends over two hours on social media every day.
• The average worker spends over a quarter of their work week on e-mail.
• On average, U.S. adults send more than 30 texts per day.

Contribute!

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How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay Properly

Did you know that the butterfly effect, a concept from chaos theory, suggests that the flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil could set off a tornado in Texas? While this idea may seem whimsical, it underscores the profound interconnectedness of events in our world. In much the same way, crafting a cause and effect essay is about tracing these interconnected threads, connecting dots, and revealing the hidden relationships that shape our experiences.

How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay: Short Description

In this detailed guide, our paper writing service experts will take a close look at the intriguing concept of causality and provide you with practical advice for crafting excellent cause and effect essay examples. These essays won't just give information but will also leave a lasting impression on your readers. Whether you're exploring the realms of science or examining the complexities of our society, join us on this journey as we reveal the key elements for mastering a compelling structure of a cause and effect essay.

Cause and Effect Definition in Essays

What is a cause and effect essay? To truly understand this fundamental concept, we must delve deeper into the intricate web of interconnections that shape our world, all while honing our critical thinking skills. At its core, cause, and effect encapsulates the idea that every action, event, or phenomenon is not isolated but rather part of a vast network of relationships, where each element exerts its influence, creating a ripple effect that resonates through time and space.

To define cause and effect, we must go beyond recognizing simple relationships, as it involves deciphering the subtle mechanisms that drive these connections. It's akin to peering beneath the surface of a calm pond and discovering the currents that stir beneath. In essence, it's the exploration of why things happen and the exploration of the repercussions that follow.

Imagine a stone cast into that tranquil pond: the cause. As it strikes the water's surface, it sends ripples outward, affecting the entire pond. The expanding ripples symbolize the effect, demonstrating how a single action can set off a chain reaction, altering the course of events. This is the essence of causality—a perpetual dance of actions and reactions where nothing occurs in isolation.

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How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay with Easy Steps

Crafting compelling cause and effect paragraph examples involves a systematic approach. Follow these ten valuable steps to navigate the intricacies of writing a thought-provoking essay that explores the web of causality.

1. Select a Focused Topic

• Choose a specific cause and effect relationship that piques your interest.

2. Dig for Causal Links

• Research thoroughly to uncover hidden connections and evidence.

3. Create a Clear Thesis

• Craft a precise thesis statement to guide your essay's direction.

4. Organize Chronologically

• Structure your essay in a logical, time-based order for clarity.

5. Utilize Transition Words

• Employ transitional phrases for smooth transitions between causes and effects.

6. Support with Evidence

• Back your claims with credible data, examples, and statistics.

7. Show Chain Reactions

• Reveal how one cause can trigger multiple effects, and vice versa.

8. Analyze Root Causes

• Go beyond surface-level explanations to explore underlying factors.

9. Consider Alternative Causes

• Address counterarguments to strengthen your essay's credibility.

10. Conclude with Impact

• Summarize key points and emphasize the broader significance of your analysis.

Cause and Effect Essay Structure: 2 Common Types

When organizing your essay, you have various structural approaches at your disposal. Let's explore two commonly used types of a cause and effect essay structure:

• Block Structure

The block structure is a straightforward and organized way to present the causes and effects in a cause and effect essay. In this approach, you first dedicate one section to discussing all the causes, including multiple causes within each category, and then another section to explore all the effects. This clear separation provides a distinct and easily digestible presentation of your ideas.

When employing the block structure, you can delve deeply into each category, thoroughly examining the causes and effects separately. This approach is particularly useful when you want to offer in-depth analysis and emphasize the significance of each aspect of the causal relationship. It allows your readers to grasp the full scope of each element before moving on to the next.

• Chain Structure

In contrast, the chain structure in cause and effect essays emphasizes the interconnected nature of events and their ripple effects. This approach showcases how one cause leads to a specific effect, which then becomes the cause of subsequent effects in a continuous chain. It's a powerful way to illustrate the complexity and depth of causal relationships.

The chain structure can be particularly effective when you want to emphasize the sequence of events or when you're dealing with intricate cause-and-effect scenarios. It allows you to demonstrate how actions set off a series of reactions, highlighting the domino effect that ultimately leads to a particular 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!

Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Selecting the right topic involves recognizing cause and effect key words that can serve as a gateway to crafting an engaging and impactful essay. In this section, we present 10 unique and thought-provoking topics that offer you the opportunity to explore fascinating relationships and their profound consequences:

• The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Decision-Making : Explore how a lack of sleep influences our ability to make sound decisions and its effects on daily life.
• The Effect of Fast Fashion on Environmental Degradation : Investigate how the fast fashion industry's practices contribute to environmental pollution and resource depletion.
• The Link Between Childhood Imagination and Creative Problem-Solving in Adulthood : Analyze how childhood imaginative play influences an individual's problem-solving skills in later life.
• The Causal Relationship Between Smartphone Dependency and Decreased Face-to-Face Communication : Examine how excessive smartphone use affects interpersonal relationships and face-to-face communication.
• The Effects of Food Additives on Human Health : Delve into the health consequences of common food additives and preservatives in our diets.
• The Influence of Art Education on Academic Performance : Investigate whether participation in art programs positively impacts students' overall academic achievements.
• The Butterfly Effect in Global Economics : Explore how a seemingly minor economic event in one country can have widespread international economic repercussions.
• The Connection Between Early Exposure to Nature and Environmental Stewardship : Analyze how childhood experiences in nature influence an individual's commitment to environmental conservation.
• The Impact of Music on Mood and Emotional Well-being : Examine how different types of music can affect our emotional states and overall mental health.
• The Ripple Effect of Positive Acts of Kindness : Investigate how small acts of kindness can lead to a chain reaction of positivity in society.

Final Considerations

In conclusion, a firm grasp of the cause and effect essay definition, along with mastery of the writing process, empowers you to systematically reveal the complex web of causality in diverse subjects. With this step-by-step guide, you are not only equipped to inform, engage, and inspire your readers but also adept at navigating the art of structured and impactful storytelling. If you prefer 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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Writing an Essay Showing Cause and Effect Pattern

LESSON Cause and effect essays An essay that covers why and/or how something happened. This type of essay requires that an event or action led to one or more consequences. will be among the most common writing assignments you come across in college. You may be asked to examine a cause, in other words, a thing or person that is the source or origin of certain effects. For instance, you may be asked to write an essay A short piece of writing that focuses on at least one main idea. Some essays are also focused on the author's unique point of view, making them personal or autobiographical, while others are focused on a particular literary, scientific, or political subject. describing how World War II affected the stature of the United States as a world leader in the twentieth century.

Effects can take the form of actions A thing that is done, or the process of doing it. , phenomena Happenings or facts that can be observed. , states The condition that something is in. , problems, illnesses, environments, and so forth. Cause and effect essays are important examinations To observe closely and carefully. of what are often complex issues. They can challenge preconceived notions An opinion formed ahead of time, without benefit of facts and experiences. about ideas A thought, opinion, or impression. and opinions Point of view that shows a personal belief or bias and cannot be proven to be completely true. . Cause and effect essays also help the writer and the reader better understand the "whys" and "hows" behind their thinking.

Further, these assignments require you to closely examine the relationship(s) between cause(s) and effect(s). What is "cause" and what is "effect" is not always obvious. Keep in mind causal chains A series of events, each triggered by the one before. Causal chains have three parts: the initial cause, the final consequence, and all the steps that link the cause to the effect. Also called "the domino effect." , where what may begin as a cause becomes one of many further effects, and that what starts out as an effect may cause additional effects.

For example, showing how driving a car increases global warming is an example of a causal chain:

• Driving a car has the effect of releasing carbon dioxide.
• Carbon dioxide has the effect of trapping the sun's energy.
• The energy of the sun has the effect of raising the average global temperature.

So, driving a car leads to an increase in global warming.

In this lesson, you will learn eight steps to writing a cause and effect essay:

• Understand your assignment.
• Gather ideas.
• Create a working thesis.
• Develop an outline.
• Develop paragraphs that support your thesis.
• Write a conclusion.
• Write an introduction.
• Revise your essay.

Step 1: Understand your assignment.

When approaching an assignment, it is essential to understand what you are being asked to write. It is helpful to read any guidelines and instructions provided to you. Examine the essay prompt Instructions for a writing assignment given by an instructor. carefully. Do you need to address causes or effects? Are you being asked to write an essay in which you are looking at an issue where many effects stem from one cause ? Or are you tasked with writing about a situation where many causes lead to one effect ? Keywords Words that are important to understanding the meaning of a passage or reading. , also called signal words Words or phrases that connect ideas and alert a reader to important relationships between subjects. For example, signal words in a cause and effect essay could include first , second , then , next , later , because , after , and due to . Signal words in a compare/contrast essay could include also , but , similarly , in contrast , unlike , in the same way , as well as , or on the other hand . , such as why , factors , causes , effects , results , reasons , influences , consequences , and outcomes indicate that you need to write a cause and effect essay.

Cause: childhood obesity

Effects: A number of immediate and long-term health and psychosocial effects.

Effect: childhood obesity

Causes: cost and availability of healthy foods, changes in the education system (increased seat time and decreased recess/gym), changes in family structure, and perception of decreased safety.

Step 2: Gather ideas.

There are a number of idea-gathering strategies that may be helpful to you here. For example, a cause and effect graphic organizer Pictorial tools used to brainstorm and arrange ideas before writing, such as webbing diagrams, flow charts, story maps, and Venn diagrams. could work. Draw a circle. Place the one cause in that circle. Then put all of the effects around it. It essentially becomes a webbing A prewriting technique where the author creates an informal visual layout of possible ideas and then draws lines to connect them into a type of "web." The objective is to see connections between events and characters. or cluster A prewriting technique where the author creates an informal visual layout of possible ideas, grouping them together. The objective is to create visual clusters of information on which to base a writing. .

Conversely, you could place the effect in the circle and put all of the causes around it.

Other ideas could include creating a brainstorming A prewriting technique where the author lists multiple ideas as he or she thinks of them, not considering one more than another until all ideas are captured. The objective is to create one great idea, or many ideas, on which to base a writing. list. If you are working with a many causes lead to one effect essay, begin by writing the effect at the top of a piece of paper. Then spend some time freewriting A prewriting technique where the author begins writing without regard to spelling or grammar about ideas, topics, or even characters, descriptions of events, and settings. Often the writer will freewrite for a set period of time. The objective is to develop a storyline through the writing process itself. ideas about potential causes. You may find that additional causes branch off of other causes. The same can be done for a many effects stem from one cause essay.

Step 3: Create a working thesis.

Creating a working or tentative thesis statement An early form of a thesis statement that can be developed into a more formal thesis statement by creating supporting details. is vital to the development and organization of your ideas and your essay. Your thesis An overall argument, idea, or belief that a writer uses as the basis for a work. is what you are setting out to demonstrate through your writing. A working thesis is one that may need to be revised somewhat later as you develop the sound reasoning, examples, and illustrations to support it.

Your working thesis should fit the characteristics of a good thesis in general: it must be specific, clearly state your main idea The most important or central thought of a reading selection. It also includes what the author wants the reader to understand about the topic he or she has chosen to write about. , and demonstrate for your reader why the topic is important. For a cause and effect essay, your thesis also needs to alert your reader that he or she will learn about the causes OR the effects.

Many effects stem from one cause :

Thesis statement: Today's parents have an obligation to help their children maintain a healthy weight because childhood obesity presents a number of negative health and psychosocial effects, both immediately and in the future.

Many causes lead to one effect :

Thesis statement: While many are quick to blame fast food and television for juvenile obesity, the actual causes are more varied and complex.

Step 4: Develop an outline.

Sometimes it is useful to simply sketch a rough outline A preliminary plan for a piece of a writing, often in the form of a list. It should include a topic, audience, purpose, thesis statement, and main and supporting points. listing the causes or effects you plan on incorporating into your essay and create a more detailed outline after you have written the rough draft The first version of a writing that will undergo rewriting, additions, and editing before it becomes the final draft. . This allows the outline to be used as a way of developing your essay and organizing your ideas as well as a revision tool that helps you check whether or not your organizational strategy makes sense.

Here is an example of a rough outline developed for this purpose on the topic of childhood obesity.

Cause: Childhood obesity

Effects: A number of immediate and long-term health and psychosocial effects

• Thesis statement A brief statement that identifies a writer's thoughts, opinions, or conclusions about a topic. Thesis statements bring unity to a piece of writing, giving it a focus and a purpose. You can use three questions to help form a thesis statement: What is my topic? What am I trying to say about that topic? Why is this important to me or my reader? : Today’s parents have an obligation to help their children maintain a healthy weight because childhood obesity presents a number of negative health and psychosocial effects, both immediately and in the future.
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease and stroke
• Depression and loneliness
• Childhood obesity contributes to a number of dangerous, damaging, and potentially unavoidable short- and long-term physical and psychosocial effects. Parents have the opportunity to encourage and foster healthful eating and exercise habits in their children so they can avoid the devastating consequences of childhood obesity.

If you choose to organize your essay in this manner, it is important to clarify for your reader that while there could be multiple causes for the topic, in this case, childhood obesity, your essay is focused on the effects of that condition.

Step 5: Develop paragraphs that support your thesis

Once you have developed your thesis and sketched an outline, you can begin writing body paragraphs The part of an essay that comes after the introduction and before the conclusion. Body paragraphs lay out the main ideas of an argument and provide the support for the thesis. All body paragraphs should include these elements: a topic sentence, major and minor details, and a concluding statement. Each body paragraph should stand on its own but also fit into the context of the entire essay, as well as support the thesis and work with the other supporting paragraphs. that support your thesis. Paragraphs should adhere to the MEAL concept An acronym that describes a method of organizing the paragraphs in an essay. Under this plan, each paragraph should have a M ain point, E vidence, A nalysis, and a L ink to the next paragraph. :

Main Idea The most important or central thought of a reading selection. It also includes what the author wants the reader to understand about the topic he or she has chosen to write about. :  your topic sentence, identifying one of the many causes (or effects) supporting the thesis.

Evidence Facts, statistics, or expert testimony that supports a claim. :  facts, expert opinion, or anecdotal evidence proving the causal relationship described in the topic sentence.

Analysis To analyze is to make a thoughtful and detailed study of something. An analysis is the end result of analyzing. :  explaining how the evidence supports the topic sentence.

Link To connect ideas together within a paragraph or to create a transition from one paragraph to the next, as well as back to the thesis. :  a transition Tying two events, passages, or pieces of information together in a smooth way. In writing, transitions are sometimes called links. from one paragraph to the next, as well as back to the thesis.

Step 6: Write a conclusion

The conclusion The end portion of a writing that contains a summary or synthesis of the idea in the work. This includes a recap of key points and reminders of the author's purpose and thesis statement. needs to summarize To give a short version of the main points of a text. and synthesize To combine ideas, as in the writing at the end of an essay that ties all the discussion and evidence together into a unified concept. , or bring together, the most important details Individual items or ideas that are part of a larger whole. of your essay. It should also give your reader a new way of looking at your main idea. It reminds the reader of your thesis and reinforces the main points you have made.

Step 7: Write an introduction

There are four elements of an effective introduction The first paragraph of an essay. It must engage the reader, set the tone, provide background information, and present the thesis. :

• Hook In writing, a device used to grab a readers' attention, often in the form of interesting, surprising, or provocative information.
• Tone The feeling or attitude that a writer expresses toward a topic. The words the writer chooses express this tone. Examples of tones can include: objective, biased, humorous, optimistic, and cynical, among many others.
• Background Information that describes the history or circumstances of a topic.
• Thesis An overall argument, idea, or belief that a writer uses as the basis for a work.

An effective introduction hooks the reader with a compelling idea, sets the tone for the rest of the essay, provides any necessary background or context for the reader, and presents the thesis.

Step 8: Revise your essay.

When you have a draft of your essay, revise The process of making changes to a work by editing and proofreading it to improve, correct, and increase clarity. it by asking yourself these questions:

• Have I followed the assignment?
• Is this a many effects stem from one cause essay or a many causes lead to one effect essay? What is my main cause or what is my main effect?
• Do my body paragraphs support my thesis?
• Is all my support relevant?
• Do I need more or less support?
• Have I included the transitions necessary to guide the reader from point to point?
• Does my conclusion summarize and synthesize the most important details?
• Does my introduction hook the reader and provide adequate background/introduction to my topic?

This is also where developing a more formal outline An outline that is traditional and structured, follows a set pattern, and uses a combination of Roman numerals, letters, and numbers to show a hierarchy of information based on the major and minor details or ideas. based on what you actually have written in the draft can help you discover weaknesses or areas in need of more detail and support.

A more detailed outline of this essay on childhood obesity might look something like this:

Formal Outline

• Thesis statement: Today’s parents have an obligation to help their children maintain a healthy weight because childhood obesity presents a number of negative health and psychosocial effects, both immediately and in the future.
• Obesity can result in the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
• Obesity can put children in danger of pre-diabetes, a condition linked to increased potential for development of diabetes.
• Obesity is linked to sleep apnea, a condition that contributes to insomnia, fatigue, and mental illness.
• Obesity is known to negatively impact bones and joints.
• Obesity contributes to a child’s inability to participate in vital physical activities.
• Obesity has the potential to bring on sadness, low self-esteem, and depression.
• Obesity (and its related effects of hypertension and sleep apnea) can lead to anxiety.
• Obesity may influence and impact the forming of essential peer groups and a difficulty forming friendships.
• Obesity may give rise to feelings of isolation due to inability to participate in vital physical activities with schoolmates or peers.
• Obese children are more likely to be bullied by their schoolmates or peers.
• Obesity is associated with higher rates of heart disease later in life.
• Obese children are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes as adults
• Obesity increases the likelihood of adult stroke.
• Obesity is linked to the adult development of osteoarthritis.
• Children who are obese are at greater risk for continued obesity as adults.
• Obesity increases the risk of long-term depression.
• Obesity increases the risk for long-term anxiety.
• Obese individuals experience increased loneliness due to difficulty in forming and sustaining long-term relationships.
• Obese individuals are more likely to experience social isolation.
• Obesity often invites criticism and judgment from peers, coworkers, family members, and communities at large.

Remember, you may need to add information, remove information, or reorganize your writing. Being a careful reviewer of your own work is key to a quality essay. When you have completed this step, be sure to go back one more time to verify that your grammar A set of rules about how words are used in a particular language. , spelling, and punctuation Marks such as such as a comma (,), period (.), question mark (?), and exclamation mark (!), among others, that help break a writing into phrases, clauses, and sentences. Different types of punctuation marks give the reader different impressions of the writer’s purpose in that sentence. are correct.

One of the most valuable skills you will learn in college and then continue to use throughout your career is the writing of a cause and effect essay. Crafting this particular kind of essay requires a keen eye for signal words, attention to detail, and the ability to decipher To figure out something confusing or complicated. and explain causal relationships, and then translate that all into a well-reasoned essay with a strong thesis. In your career, your boss may ask you to take a look at certain financial outcomes of the organization and determine causes and/or subsequent effects. Most actions or decisions in the workplace—and in life—should be done with consideration of their effects; knowing how to carefully examine and write about these relationships will help you in your decision-making.

Using the eight-step process described in this lesson, here is an example of how to create a cause and effect essay.

Essay prompt: In a four- to six-paragraph essay, describe in detail the multiple causes of widespread panic around contagious influenza.

Step 1. Understand your assignment.

The assignment is to write a four- to six-paragraph essay examining the multiple causes of the widespread panic associated with contagious influenza.

Step 2. Gather ideas.

In this example, the writer has used a cause and effect graphic organizer to gather ideas and organize thoughts.

Step 3. Create a working thesis.

Here is a tentative thesis based on the ideas gathered: While fear of catching pandemic flu is certainly frightening, there are additional causes for the panic effect often triggered by public knowledge of a new flu strain.

Step 4. Develop an outline.

This rough outline lists a number of causes in a linear fashion.

• Thesis statement: While fear of catching pandemic flu is certainly frightening, there are additional causes for the panic effect often triggered by public knowledge of a new flu strain.
• Doctors and first responders get them first.
• Some cities and hospitals have them while others don’t.
• Risks of recent "pandemics" overstated.
• Movies and TV shows portray quarantines and other drastic measures.
• When next faced with a pandemic situation, we should be mindful of these additional causes of potentially unreasonable panic.

Step 5. Develop paragraphs that support your thesis.

Using the framework of the outline and the MEAL concept, develop supporting paragraphs that make the body of your essay. Remember, you will write the conclusion and introduction later.

The dissemination of vaccinations is often a topic that causes not just fear, but anger. Typically, first responders, such as EMTs (emergency medical technicians), nurses, doctors, firefighters, police officers, military, and so forth, are also first in line for vaccinations. While it is a logical maneuver, as these are the people best suited to protect and treat individuals and provide large-scale public health initiatives, it often feels unfair to the average citizen. Furthermore, certain hospitals and cities get access to vaccines earlier than others, making people suspicious that those in charge are playing favorites. This perception of unfairness makes it difficult for people to trust the government to protect their interests. Neither of these issues is made better by the coverage they get in the media.

Public knowledge of an impending or current pandemic is often gained through the media, which does not do a very good job of sharing information without frightening people. Just the knowledge of the H1N1 flu strain and bird flu was enough to send some into panic mode, but the sensationalistic reporting on the two pandemics added fuel to the fire.

People also fear drastic measures often portrayed in films and television shows, giving the public the perception that they may be separated from their loved ones and never see them again. News media and popular entertainment do just as much as the actual pandemics to increase panic in populations facing the threat of a new flu strain.

Step 6. Write a conclusion.

Next, write the conclusion of your essay. Make sure it brings together your supporting points and reminds the reader of your thesis.

• Therefore, while pandemic flu is frightening in and of itself, there are many reasons other than fear of contagion why the public panics: miscommunication, lack of control in decision making, potential threat of quarantine, and the possibility of not having access to vaccinations. When next faced with a pandemic situation, the authorities should be mindful of these additional causes of the well-known reaction of public panic.

Step 7. Write an introduction.

Finally, write the introduction, keeping in mind the four-step approach of hook, tone, background, and thesis.

Pandemic influenza is a flu virus that has either a) not circulated in the population before or b) has not been seen among the general public in a very long time. It is a flu strain for which people have no preexisting immunity. One recent example would be a recent pandemic scare involving the H1N1 flu strain. While fear of catching pandemic flu is certainly frightening, there are additional causes for the panic effect often triggered by public knowledge of a new flu strain.

Step 8. Revise your essay.

A good technique for revising your essay is to create a more formal outline at this time to make sure there are no weaknesses, especially in terms of missing evidence and/or analysis.

• Hook: While popular media may portray widespread panic among populations in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak, there are, in fact, other causes for the alarm, fear, and anger that people feel.
• Tone: Persuasive/Informative
• Background: There have been several historically significant pandemic influenzas throughout history.
• Thesis: While fear of catching pandemic flu is certainly frightening, there are additional causes for the panic effect often triggered by public knowledge of a new flu strain.
• Doctors and first responders get them first, which can seem unfair.
• Some hospitals and cities get them before others, making it seem like government officials play favorites.
• Coverage of H1N1 and bird flu created panic.
• Public perception is skewed due to television and film.

Using the formal outline above, the revision below makes for a stronger draft of the essay.

Contagious Influenza and Widespread Panic

Even though popular media may portray that fear of getting sick is what causes widespread panic in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak, there are, in fact, other causes for the alarm, fear, and anger that people feel. This essay is focused on pandemic influenza, rather than the seasonal flu that most of us get at one time or another, and the media hysteria that accompanies these events. While fear of catching pandemic flu is certainly frightening, there are additional causes for the panic often experienced by people with the knowledge of a new flu strain.

The dissemination of vaccinations is often a topic that elicits not just fear, but anger. Typically, first responders, such as EMTs (emergency medical technicians), nurses, doctors, firefighters, police officers, military, and so forth, are also first in line for vaccinations. While it is a logical maneuver as these are the people best suited to protect and treat individuals and provide large-scale public health initiatives, it often feels unfair to the average citizen. Furthermore, certain hospitals and cities get access to vaccines earlier than others, making peoples suspicious that those in charge are playing favorites. This perception of unfairness makes it difficult for people to trust the government to protect their interests. Neither of these issues is made better by the coverage they get in the media.

Public knowledge of an impending or current pandemic is often gained through the media, which does not do a very good job of sharing information without frightening people. Just the knowledge of the H1N1 flu strain and bird flu was enough to send some into panic mode, but the sensationalistic reporting on the two pandemics added fuel to the fire. People also fear drastic measures often portrayed in films and television shows, giving the public the perception that they may be separated from their loved ones and never see them again. News media and popular entertainment do just as much as the actual pandemics to increase panic in populations facing the threat of a new flu strain.

Therefore, while pandemic flu is frightening in and of itself, there are many reasons other than fear of contagion that the public panics: miscommunication, lack of control of decision making, potential threat of quarantine, and the possibility of not having access to vaccinations. When next faced with a pandemic situation, the authorities should be mindful of these additional causes of the well-known reaction of public panic.

Follow the eight steps to write a cause and effect essay.

Essay Prompt:

Write a four- to six-paragraph essay on one of these topics:

A) Explain either the causes of the increased divorce rate in the United States or the effects of divorce on the children of divorced parents.

B) Describe the effects of an influential person in your life.

C) Describe either the causes of teens dropping out of high school or the effects of dropping out of high school on teens who choose to do so.

Sample Answer

The assignment is to write a four- to six-paragraph essay examining the multiple effects of an influential person in my life.

In this example, I used a cause and effect graphic organizer in order to gather ideas.

Many teachers had an impact on my education as I went through school, but my ninth grade social studies teacher had the greatest influence on my life, affecting everything from the type of student I was to the career I have chosen.

• Many teachers had an impact on my education as I went through school, but my ninth grade social studies teacher had the greatest influence on my life, affecting everything from the type of student I was to the career I have decided to pursue.
• I changed from being a "C" student to an "A" student.
• I moved from non-academic classes like shop to honors classes in English and physics.
• My confidence as a student influenced me to be first in my family to attend college.
• I am working hard to become a professor at a community college; I want to model my teaching style after his.
• Overall, the impact of one person changed the course of my life.

The immediate effect that Mr. Zola had on me was boosting my confidence as a student. This new confidence was apparent in my grades as I moved from being a "C" student to an "A" student. This was because I had always been somewhat disinterested in school up until I took his class, sometimes being engaged with a class or a topic, sometimes not. I didn't turn in all of my homework and didn't always participate in class discussions. After taking Mr. Zola's class, I learned that it wasn't the topic that made a class interesting, but my understanding and viewpoint on the topic. This immediately changed how I thought about homework assignments and participating in class. This increased confidence was also displayed in the types of classes I chose to take, moving from non-academic electives to eventually taking advanced placement (AP) classes in my senior year. Becoming an "A" student and taking AP classes were the direct result of Mr. Zola's influence on me as a student.

The more long-term effect that Mr. Zola had on me was in my career choice. I want to become a teacher, just like him. To do this, I became the first person in my family to attend college. This was an extension of the confidence he inspired in my ability to do well in education. And when I complete my degree, I eventually want to become a professor at a community college, teaching adult students instead of high school students, but still employing the same teaching strategies that he had modeled for me in my youth. In fact, his influence was so impactful on my career choice that I contacted him on Facebook to tell him what I was doing and why I had decided to become a professor.

Some influential people help change the course of your life in one particular moment, helping you through crisis and turmoil. Others transform your character, creating effects that last through the rest of your life. Mr. Zola had this latter impact on me. And even though there is always a certain individual fate involved in all of our lives, I feel fortunate to have had a teacher like Mr. Zola to help steer me in the direction my life is going.

School can be one of the most torturous experiences for many students, from being bullied and chastised for no reason to spending long hours in boring classes where the hands on the clock seem to move through molasses. Sometimes, though, a certain class or special teacher can come along and change that experience. That person can even inspire students to work harder in other classes, graduate high school, and even go on to college. For me, this person was my ninth grade social studies teacher, Mr. Zola. Many teachers had an impact on my education as I went through school, but Mr. Zola had the greatest influence on my life, affecting everything from the type of student I was to the career I have decided to pursue.

The Difference One Teacher Can Make

School can be one of the most torturous experiences for many students, from being bullied and chastised for no reason to spending long hours in boring classes where the hands on the clock seem to move through molasses. Unfortunately, this bad experience can have a lasting impact on people's lives, closing doors of opportunity that are typically only opened through education. Sometimes, though, a certain class or special teacher can come along and change that experience, making at least part of a day or part of a year more bearable and even enjoyable. That person can even inspire students to work harder in other classes, graduate high school, and even go on to greater success in college. For me, this person was my ninth grade social studies teacher, Mr. Zola. Many teachers had an impact on my education as I went through school, but Mr. Zola had the greatest influence on my life, affecting everything from the type of I student I was to the career I have decided to pursue.

The more long-term effect that Mr. Zola had on me was my career choice. I want to become a teacher, just like him. To do this, I became the first person in my family to attend college. This was an extension of the confidence he inspired in my ability to do well in education. And when I obtain my degree, I eventually want to become a professor at a community college, teaching adult students instead of high school students, but still employing the same teaching strategies that he had modeled for me in my youth. In fact, his influence was so impactful on this career choice that I contacted him on Facebook to tell him what I was doing and why I had decided to become a professor.

There are various things that will signal to me that I am being asked to write a cause and effect essay. For example, the language used in the question may spell out that the instructor is looking for an analysis of many effects stemming from one cause or many causes leading to one effect. In other examples, the language may not be so specific but it will present causal relationships and then ask for an explanation.

Copyright ©2022 The NROC Project

Dr. Saleem Sergio Scatolini

سيرجو سليم عبد السلام, cause/effect essays: (2) chain structure.

In a relatively short  Cause  or  Effect  essay, it is important to remember that  Cause  or  Effect  essays are not to be about both causes and effects. On the contrary, in a short essay of 350-400 words, it is important to focus on writing about either the causes of something or the effects of something, not both. The reason for this is that it is simply not wise to try to cover too much information in a short essay.

Consider a topic such as “Air Pollution in Mexico City” as an example. If you were to write a twenty-page, exhaustive study about air pollution in Mexico City, perhaps it would be possible to write about both the causes and effects, ten pages describing the causes of air pollution and then ten pages describing the effects of air pollution. However, when writing two or three pages about “Air Pollution in Mexico City,” it is necessary to limit your topic so you can cover it thoroughly. Using air pollution in Mexico City as an example, it would be very easy to develop a paper about the causes of air pollution in Mexico City as follows:

What  are  the causes of air pollution in Mexico City, for example?  Students in the past have said (1) exhaust from automobiles and trucks, (2) soot from industry smokestacks, (3) geography, (4) speed bumps, (5) corruption at emissions inspection stations, (6) more high pollution cars as a result of no-drive days, (7) insufficient low pollution public transportation, etc. Any of these ideas about the causes of air pollution can be developed into a two or three page essay. It would be possible to write about just one cause, the main cause, and explore it in depth, or it would be possible to write about the three main causes, for example.

On the other hand, what are the  effects  of air pollution in Mexico City?  Students in the past have said (1) poor visibility, (2) headaches, (3) emphysema, (4) allergies, (5) runny eyes and nose, (6) shorter life span for Mexico City’s residents, (7) lower quality of life for Mexico City’s residents, (8) necessity to stay indoors, (9) more sitting in front of the television, (10) destruction of wildlife, (11) negative world attention, (12) decrease in tourism, etc. Any of these ideas about the effects of air pollution can be developed into a two or three page essay. As above, it would be possible to write about just one effect, the main effect, or it would be possible to write about the three main effects.

Points to remember when writing a  Cause  or  Effect  essay.

1. State your organization. In all compositions for an academic audience, you should state your organization. Stating your organization means that you should (1) tell your audience what you are going to tell them, (2) then tell them, and (3) then tell them what you told them.

2. List  all  of the causes or all of the effects, not necessarily in your essay, but before you begin to write your essay. On a piece of paper before beginning to write your essay, list as many causes or effects you can think of. Using the above example about the effects of pollution in Mexico City, you may write your ideas as follows:

When looking at all these effects of air pollution in Mexico City—there are twelve of them—it is necessary to consider which ones you want to write about.  It would be impractical to write about the first effect and the second effect all the way up to the eleventh and the twelfth effect.  In a short essay, listing them all would never work.  But would it be possible to list several effects under a single heading such as  health effects  as shown in the chart on the right?

From the list above, what other effects could be listed as health effects besides runny eyes and nose and emphysema?  There are at least four or five additional apparent health effects listed.  Please include them under  health effects  on the right.

Obviously, if you were to write about the  Effects of air pollution in Mexico City , health effects would be an important part of your essay.

The full list of the twelve effects listed above contains other negative effects such as (1) negative world attention and (2) decrease of tourism.  How can these effects of air pollution be categorized, and what other effects could be listed in this category?

Finally, another important effect of air pollution in Mexico City relates to  lifestyle effects .  Pollution effects the day-to-day living among many of Mexico City’s residents, especially the aged and the young.  Besides those listed above and in the chart on the right, can you add other  lifestyle effects  of air pollution?

Question: Is it possible to categorize any other effects of air pollution in Mexico City? Your goal should be to try to organize your information into three or four main points, if possible, so it can be presented to the reader clearly and concisely. If you were to write an essay about the effects of air pollution in Mexico, what are the three or four main categories that you would include? List them in the following spaces.

1. ______________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________

(4.) ____________________________________________

Other points to remember when writing a  Cause  or  Effect  essay are as follows:

3. Support all causes or effects with supporting details. If you believe, for example, that an important effect of air pollution in Mexico City is a lower quality of life for the city’s residents, state your point clearly at the beginning of a paragraph and then provide support to help your reader understand how or why that is true.

4. Have a rationale for the order in which you present your information.  There is often one major cause or effect that is most important.  Some sources recommend that you save your most important cause or effect until last.  By saving your most important cause or effect until last, they say, you leave your reader with a very strong impression.  Others say to start with the most important cause or effect because that helps capture your reader’s attention.  In reality, there is no single, best answer for the order of major causes or effects.  Experiment, and develop your own rationale for the order in which you present your information.

5. Finally, maintain your focus. In a short cause or effect essay of 350-400 words, limit the range of your topic to either the  causes  or  effects  of something. A cause or effect essay doesn’t recommend how to change the situation or give opinions about why the situation is good or bad. It simply examines the reasons for it.

Students’ Cause or Effect Essays – Models: LINK

Source : This text was retrieved on 8th February 2013 from  http://eslbee.com/cause.htm .

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Posted: 20 June, 2017

Cause and Effect Essay: How-To, Structure, Examples, Topics

Cause and effect essays aren't commonly assigned, so if you need to write one you could be feeling somewhat lost. This guide will help you get yours written with ease.

Table Of Contents

What is Cause and Effect Essay?

Cause and effect essay structure, how to write cause and effect essay, cause and effect essay topics, cause and effect essay examples.

A cause and effect essay is much simpler than it appears. It's an essay that looks at the causes of an event, or why it happened, and the results of the event, or the effects. These essays help you look in detail at events, and how they can be repeated or avoided.

There are two different ways you can structure a cause and effect essay. These methods are called the 'block' and 'chain' models. The Block model will look like this:

• Introduction
• Transition sentence

A 'chain' essay will look like this:

• Cause and effect of cause 1
• Cause and effect of cause 2
• Cause and effect of cause 3

As you can see, a 'block' essay deals with all the causes first, and then the effects, while a 'chain' essay deals with cause and effect separately. It's up to you which model you choose.

• First, research the topic at hand. Get as much evidence as you can on the causes and their effects. These will help back up your points in your final essay.
• Write an outline. Pick one of the models listed above, and think about what argument you want to put forward. Write your outline with the topic sentences, so when you come to write you'll know how to link everything together.
• Write your essay. Find a quiet place to write and start using your essay outline. Make sure to cover every point you need to make, and that all your arguments are backed up by research.
• Proofread and edit. Before your essay is handed in, take the time to proofread it. This will ensure you'll get the highest marks possible for your work.

When given a cause and effect essay, you'll be given a statement as a topic. This could be something like 'Parents' attitudes affect sibling rivalry' or 'Cell phone use can bring families closer'. It's up to you to dig into this topic, and find why this is so. For example, you could find evidence that people who use cell phones have more opportunities to communicate with relatives, so as a result their relationships improve.

If you want to try writing some essays of your own, here are some example topics you could try:

• Video games can boost IQ.
• The fear of possible side effects makes people avoid vaccinations.
• The glaciers melting in Antarctica cause floods.

Give these a try, and get some practice in before you have to write the real thing.

Now you know what makes a great essay. Use this guide to get good marks on yours.

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Cause And Effect Essay

Cause and Effect Essay – A Complete Guide for Beginners

10 min read

Published on: Jun 8, 2019

Last updated on: Jan 20, 2023

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A cause and effect essay is a type of essay that explains how one event or situation leads to another. This can be an interesting type of essay to write, because it allows you to explore the different impacts that one event can have.

To write a successful cause and effect essay, it is important to understand the basics of this type of essay. In this blog, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to write a cause and effect essay. We will also provide you with some tips on how to get started. So, if you are interested in learning more about this essay, keep reading!

Cause and Effect Essay Definition

Cause and effect essay is a common type of essay including multiple paragraphs examining and analyzing causes and effects.

The cause and effect essay is a great way for students to analyze the relationship between two or more variables. This type of writing can either have positive or negative results, depending on what you're looking at!

Cause and effect essay sheds light on how things happen or reasons of occurring (causes) and what happens in its result or effects of those things. It is a common practice done to organize and discuss ideas in depth.

Cause and effect or reason and result essays are a part of every student’s academic writing. Students at all levels get these types of reasoning essays to analyze their abilities and skills to write and knowledge on the topic.

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Cause and effect essays are generally of three types:

Effect-Focused Method:  In which an emphasis is laid on the results or effects of a situation or an event.

Cause-Focused Method:  In this, different causes of an event are focused on and discussed.

Cause and Effect-Focused Method:  The analysis is done on both the causes and effects equally.

Here are the ways that will help you arrange the cause and its effects in your essays.

• Sequential Order
• Reverse Sequential Order

Therefore, it is not always important to work in sequence when discussing causes and effects. Instead, you can also start from the main effect.

Also, you need to consider the below questions to make your cause and effect essay effective.

• What are the causes and effects?
• What elements should be considered?
• Are there single or multiple effects and causes?
• How to present the list of causes and effects in an essay?

Cause and Effect Essay Structure

Cause and effect essays can be written choosing between the two structures. Before you start writing make sure which structure to choose i.e. Block or a chain structure.

Block Structure

In this structure, you usually write all the causes of your topic at first, and it affects later. Whether an effect-focused or cause-focused essay, this structure can be used to give shape to your essay.

A general block essay includes:

• Introduction

Chain Structure

The other structure given to your essay is chain structure and according to this, you have to give a cause following its effect. Every cause presented in your essay should be followed by the effect right after it.

A chain structure looks like this:

• Introduction.
• Cause 1 and Effect 1
• Cause 2 and Effect 2
• Cause 3 and Effect 3
• Cause n and effect n

Both structures can be chosen by students depending on how well they are able to convince and affect people. Here is a basic cause and effect essay structure that you can follow for writing your essay.

Cause and Effect Essay Structure (PDF)

Cause and Effect Essay Outline

Outlining is just as important as writing an essay. It is very important to give an outline in this essay so that there is no cause and effect left behind to mention.

An outline works as a guide in writing an essay as it ensures that all the instructions are efficiently followed.

This simple structure will provide an outline for your essay:

• Thesis Statement
• Topic sentence 1
• Topic sentence n
• Rephrased Thesis statement

How to Start a Cause and Effect Essay?

Cause and effect essay talks about ‘why’ and ‘how’ of a situation. Everything happens for a reason or cause and effect.

To start with, it is important to note that these kinds of essays are not written on your opinion and personal beliefs. You cannot make up your argument, no matter how logical, and prove a cause and its effect of an event or action.

Here are the steps you need to follow for a perfect start to a cause and effect essay.

1. Decide on a Topic

Choose a topic wisely and just so you know selecting a topic for your essay is not as easy as it sounds. If a student is given a topic by an instructor it is easier for such kinds of essays. But if left on students to come up with a topic it is probably the trickiest job.

To see if your selected topic is correct to see how well it is based on logic and the connections it is building between the events.

2. Research

Research is essential to get detailed knowledge and facts of the topic. The research process will help you get a better understanding of your topic and will provide extra ideas in writing.

You can gather information on your topic through journals, books, articles, and above all, the internet. Just read the sample works of others related to your topic and get an idea of how to shape and construct your essay.

3. Thesis Statement

Once you have selected your topic and gathered relevant information and data, it is time for you to come up with your thesis statement. Your thesis statement will inform your audience about why you chose the topic, its significance, and the purpose of the paper or essay.

Understand how to write a good  thesis statement . You have to craft your thesis statement in a way that it shouldn’t sound personal at all and the readers can resonate from it the most. Try to provide information like why this topic is important to you and to them to acknowledge and grab your reader’s attention.

4. Rough Draft

Nope. You are still not ready to craft your final draft.

Now that you have a topic, relevant researched points, and a thesis statement, gather everything to write it on paper. Write all the collected key points and ideas and make a rough draft based on these points.

How To Write a Cause And Effect Essay?

Here is a basic method of writing a cause and effect essay.

Cause and Effect Essay Introduction

Like in any other essay writing pattern, the very first thing is an introduction of your topic. An introduction of your essay decides whether your audience will read the entire essay or not. That’s the reason your introduction should be so interesting and engaging that people will strive to read further.

To grab your reader’s attention and interest, a tip is to include a hook in the introduction. A hook is a catchy phrase, quotation, or question that intrigues your audience. Different types of hooks are used for different essay topics.

Learn accurate and appropriate use of hooks. You can never address a serious issue like ‘rape’ with a joke.

Now that you have a hook, make your audience familiar with your topic. Give a clue about your subject or a topic and state your thesis statement. Before writing, you should be aware of the differences between causes and effects.

Cause and Effect Essay Body Paragraphs

Followed by the introduction comes the main body of your essay. The main body of your essay consists of multiple paragraphs that state all the reasoning of your essay.

All of the gathered information and data supporting your topic is presented in a structured way in the main body paragraphs. Connect all your information to give credibility to your academic writing.

Here, make sure that all the reasoning and argument on cause and effect is based on facts. Link all the ‘causes and effects’ with the transition words to maintain the flow in the paragraphs.

Transition Words for Cause and Effect Essay

The following are some transition words used to connect your cause and its effect. The cause is denoted by 1 and effect by 2:

• The first cause of (2) is (1)
• The next reason is (1)
• Because of (1), (2)
• As a result of (1), (2)
• (2) Is the consequence of (1)
• The first effect of (1) is (2)
• Another result of (1) is (2)
• As a result, (2)
• Consequently, (2)
• (1) is the reason of (2)

Cause and Effect Essay Conclusion

Never, abruptly end your essay and write a cause and effect conclusion in a way that leaves people convinced. The conclusion includes your thesis statement and a hint of the intro of your topic.

Never add new ideas and information in the last paragraph, and always restate facts present in your main body in different words.

A well-written conclusion gives closure to your essay leaving your audience convinced and satisfied. After all, all's well that ends well.

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Cause and Effect Essay Examples

Cause and effect essays are not really hard to write if you know the drill. Just stay focused on your essay and try to influence your audience through your information, facts, and shreds of evidence.

You can also read some cause and effect essay examples before you start working on your essay. In this way, you will get an idea of how to approach your essay.

Below you can also find some interesting cause and effect essay examples to use that you can go through before starting writing your essay.

Cause and Effect Essay Sample (PDF)

Unemployment Cause and Effect Essay Example (PDF)

Obesity Cause and Effect Essay Example (PDF)

Poverty Cause and Effect Essay (PDF)

Air pollution Cause and Effect Essay (PDF)

Cause and Effect Essay on Smoking (PDF)

Cause and Effect Essay IELTS (PDF)

Now you have all the tools to write a good cause and effect essay. You can review our  free essays  before starting working on your cause and effect essay.

Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Here are some easy cause and effect essay topics for college students.

• What are the causes and effects of obesity on the teens of the United States?
• Causes of birth control and contraceptives in society.
• Causes and multiple effects of Parent Involvement in a child's education.
• Causes and effects of gaining popularity in college.
• Causes and effects of discrimination on one’s mind.
• World War I – Causes and Effects
• Causes and effects of poverty in a nation.
• Effects of bullying on mental health.
• Things that make teens suffer from Anorexia Nervosa.
• Causes and effects of disability in finding a job.

Cause And Effect Essay Writing Tips

Here are some expert tips that you can keep in mind for writing a perfect cause and effect essay.

• Use appropriate words and vocabulary in your essay
• Use transitional words to keep cause and its effect connected
• State information and ideas chronologically
• Focus on direct causes
• Use supporting evidence to strengthen your essay
• Never overlap information and data.

It is preferable that you dedicate each paragraph to a certain idea. Instead of repeating and overlapping, allot a paragraph to a certain idea that will clear the audience’s head about what they are reading.

It is also recommended to use a topic sentence for each paragraph and give headings for proper understanding.

Get Expert Help for Writing a Cause and Effect Essay

We don’t underestimate our students' skills and knowledge they possess. But sometimes you are just unlucky to not come up with a potential essay. Because of lack of time or good writing skills, students are always looking for professional’s help.

So, if you think writing a good cause and effect is hard and looking for a cheap essay writer for help, you can delegate your task to our expert writers.

At FreeEssayWriter.net, we can help you with well-written custom essays. Our  essay writer  provides students with the necessary academic help to improve their skills and boost their GPAs.

Place your  order  now and get a high-quality cause and effect essay from experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the cause and effect essay.

A cause-and-effect essay is used to determine how things are related. It might be about the main cause, like how something happened, or it can be about one of the effects on what happened.

What are the characteristics of a cause and effect essay?

A cause-effect essay shows how one event leads to another. For example, it may be that the effect is caused by the cause or vice versa. A cause-effect essay can also show how both events could be related to each other.

What is a good thesis statement for a cause and effect essay?

A thesis states the writer's opinion on what caused something to happen or what it will cause. It can be organized in two ways: Start with the effect and then talk about the cause. Or start with the cause and then talk about the effect.

A good thesis statement can be crafted in any of the above-mentioned ways.

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Jared P. is a renowned author and writing service provider with over fifteen years of experience in the publishing industry. He has a Ph.D. degree in English Literature and has spent his entire career helping students achieve their academic goals by providing expert writing assistance.

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Cause And Effect Essay Writing

Cause And Effect Essay

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

A Guide to Cause and Effect Essay | Samples + Topics

By: Leanne R.

11 min read

Reviewed By: Jacklyn H.

Published on: Jun 9, 2020

A cause and effect essay is another type of expository essay explaining why one thing happens and how it affects the other.

Cause and effect essay writing is based on how an event or thing affects another event. Such essays explain this cause and effect relationship between different things and inform the readers about it.

These effects could both be short and long term.

This blog will make you understand how to write a cause and effect essay step by step and will also provide samples to help you.

On this Page

What is a Cause and Effect Essay?

In this world, everything is inherently interconnected.

The rain makes the soil wet, and the plants grow. In the domino effect, when one domino is toppled, it hits the next, and then the next, and so forth, etc.

To understand the question of what does cause and effect mean, this essay will explore the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of a situation.

Cause and effect essay definition states that such an essay serves to illustrate why certain things occur or situations arise. It also examines the consequences of those events, actions or phenomena.

School students and college students equally struggle with writing correctly structured essays that depict precise and factual information.

If you are a high school or college student; chances are that you will have to write this type of essay.

Staying on this website will equip you with the skills to analyze the events and deliver an impactful cause and effect essay.

The theme of this essay type revolves around the causes and multiple effects of certain issues, problems or situations.

Types of Cause and Effect Essay

At a basic level, these essays are of three types.

1. Effect-Focused Method

The analysis is focused on one or multiple effects that the occurrence of an event has had.

2. Cause-Focused Method

The analysis is focused on the different causes that lead to the event.

3. Causes and Effects-Focused Method

The analysis is focused on both the causes and the effects. The reason why something happened and the impacts it had.

The major aim of these essays is to develop student’s skills in analyzing the events in depth.

These essays test the ability of students to present analytical and problem-solving skills involving various topics that impact our lives and our societies.

Effective topics may revolve around the following subject matters: social, political, medical, environmental and food-related issues. Cause and effect essay topic for college is mostly based on these subjects.

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Cause and Effect Essay Structure

There are 2 main structures of writing a cause and effect essay. You need to choose one before starting your essay.

1. Block structure

In a block structure essay, you will first write all the causes and then all the effects of your topic.

In block structure, there can be an effect-focused essay or a cause-focused essay.

Here is a visual representation of a block structure for your essay

2. Chain Structure

In the chain structure, you have to write a cause followed by its effect. Every cause should be followed by its possible effect. This is what your essay will look like if you follow the chain structure.

Some of the effective essay topics can be written efficiently by following the block structure. While some others fit into the chain structure.

It all depends on the choice and expertise of the students to present their points in an effective and convincing manner.

Cause and Effect Essay Outline

Before moving towards writing an essay, drafting an outline is quite important. It is essential in the case of writing a cause and effect essay because students have to consider the causes and effects of some issue or situation, without missing anything.

An essay outline provides the chance of following a specific guideline to ensure all the instructions are followed efficiently.

In order to write a  cause and effect essay outline , you can follow this simple structure.

How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay?

Writing based on personal beliefs and opinions shatters the whole purpose of such essays. You can’t make a logical argument regarding the cause and effects of a particular situation or action.

You therefore need sound reasoning and authentic examples to prove your point.

Staying on this website will allow you the opportunity of learning the tips to create impactful content.

1. Choose an Engaging and Significant Essay Topic

Selecting a topic is the easiest but trickiest part.

Students often get confused when it comes to how to write a cause and effect essay. Because they choose a topic for a cause and effect essay, which sets them for failure.

If you plan to choose the title “My Visit to my Grandparents’ House” and think it is correct as you will write the effects of your visit in the essay, then you are wrong!

Your topic should be based on logic and you should create a connection between the events.

For instance, if you choose the title “Effect of grandparents on my personality”, then this is an effective topic.

Cause and effects of the second world war on the United States or anorexia nervosa are also perfect effect essay topics.

Looking for more topics for your cause and effect essay?

Feel free to explore these cause and effect essay topics and pick any topic of your choice.

2. Start Your Research

After topic selection, move to the research section.

First tip: don’t go straight to the paper and start writing your first draft. Take a deep breath and analyze all aspects of the topic.

Ask questions! Why? What? How? When?

• Why is it happening?
• How is it happening?
• How did it start?
• What caused it?
• How will it influence the future?
• How is it influencing at the moment?

Look at the present state of the topic. Inspect the previous stages and analyze future effects!

The more you research the more familiar you will become with the topic at hand. And it will help understand different aspects of your topic, giving you better ideas to write.

Along with reading different journals, scholarly articles, books for information, another helpful source is cause and effect essay samples. Go through different samples written by other students, this will not only give you insight about your topic, but will also help understand the essay structure better.

3. Craft a Thesis Statement

Once you have decided on your topic and gathered relevant information, the next step is to craft a thesis. The thesis statement of your essay will inform the reader why you chose the particular topic, its importance and the purpose of the paper.

Keep in mind that your thesis shouldn’t be personal. Consider the feelings of your audience and they should also be able to resonate with it. Give reasons as to why you care about a particular issue, that others will understand as well.

Go check out this article for a better understanding of writing a thesis statement

4. Write a Rough Draft

Don’t rush to put words down on paper.

Collect your thoughts and write down all the ideas and important points on paper. Your rough draft can be based only on these key points.

Don’t worry about making it perfect at this stage. Just jot down your thoughts, assemble them and perfect it later.

To write an effective essay, a structured outline should be followed. Once you are done writing, it is essential to polish your final draft.

5. Write a Cause and Effect Essay Introduction

You must have heard the phrase “the first impression is the last impression.” Similarly, the impression that your essay introduction leaves on the reader decides whether they will read further or not.

To make sure that the reader is impressed by your opening lines and is intrigued to learn more, use an attention grabber – hook.

A hook sentence acts as a tool to attract the reader’s attention, motivating them to read further. There are different types of hook sentences that you can use depending on your topic. Learn more about them from our blog on hook examples.

The next step is making your audience/reader familiar with the essay topic. Begin with a general introduction to the topic followed by the thesis statement. Understand the difference between cause and effect before you start writing. Give a general idea of your topic in the first paragraph.

The most important part of the introduction is the thesis statement. A thesis statement is the foundation of your essay and informs the reader of the purpose of writing the essay. Relate your topic to the current situation and its importance.

6. Compose and Arrange the Body Paragraphs

It is important to provide plenty of details you have collected on your topic regarding the causes and effects of your topic.

Assemble all the data with relevant examples to create credibility in your academic writing. The cause and effect essay should be based entirely on facts.

Link the causes to the effects using transitional words in your body paragraphs.

Successfully linking causes and effects depends on the approach you are following for your essay.

You may use either one of the structures mentioned above to present the causes and effects of your topic.

7. End with a Powerful Conclusion

Restate the thesis statement that you proposed in the introductory paragraph in the last paragraph. A well-written and precise conclusion gives closure to the entire argument and context of the essay.

Cause and effect essays are easy to write, just stay focused and try to create impact through your words and use of evidence.

• Use purpose-specific vocabulary.
• Use transitional words.
• State ideas chronologically.
• Never overlap ideas.

Doing so will create chaos in your essay and the reader won’t be able to understand the information stated in the paragraphs.

When writing the body section, dedicate each paragraph to separate the ideas.

Every paragraph should have a separate topic sentence that clearly defines its purpose. Now you can start your essay writing .

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Cause and Effect Essay Examples

Following are a few cause and effect essay samples which will help you explore cause and effect essay prompts.

CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY SAMPLE

CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY EXAMPLE

CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY ON DIVORCE

Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Here are some good cause and effect essay topics:

• Results of financial independence in a romantic relationship.
• How does social anxiety impact teenagers?
• How does acne affect someone’s confidence?
• Reasons for sibling rivalry and its effects.
• Reasons why teenagers rebel.
• Causes of job dissatisfaction.
• Forced marriages and their results.
• Causes of domestic violence.
• What are the causes for men’s commitment phobia?
• Cramming doesn’t help score better.
• People from a broken family have unhappier marriages.
• Effects of social media on teenagers.

Essay writing process is easy and you are definitely equipped with all the talent and skills required to write an essay.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main purpose of a cause and effect essay.

Cause and effect papers use strong analytical skills to examine the reasons for or outcomes of an event. These are often written as a way in which someone could potentially discover how something happened.

Such as why one particular decision led them down their current path-or if there were any other factors involved that caused the said outcome

Why is it important to know cause and effect?

Knowledge is power. Understanding how a single event can result in multiple effects, and then pinpointing that one cause for each of those results will help the students develop into analytical thinkers with the ability to work on their own.

What is the importance of cause and effect in our daily lives?

A person who can think about the interconnected causes and effects of social events will be more successful in their day-to-day life. It's no surprise, then, that if you have this skill set your chances for success with solving real-world problems are much greater!

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10 Cause and Effect Essay Examples to Inspire Your Writing

Cause and effect essays are common in school and require students to look at why something happened and what came from it. These types of essays can be challenging to write, especially for students who are new to the genre. Fortunately, there are many  cause and effect essay  examples available to help guide you through the writing process. That being said, we have compiled a list of 10 excellent cause and effect essay examples that are sure to inspire your writing.

Table of Contents

10 Examples to Help You Get an Idea of How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay

These cause and effect essay examples cover a variety of topics and illustrate different approaches to the structure and content. Let’s get to read them all!

Example 1: Extract of the Cause and Effect Essay on Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is a serious issue that’s becoming more and more common in many parts of the world. According to the World Health Organization, it has become a worldwide epidemic, with over 40 million children under five who are overweight or obese. This essay looks into the causes of childhood obesity and how it affects the health and well-being of kids.

One of the main causes of childhood obesity is a sedentary lifestyle. Children who spend too much time watching television, playing video games, or using electronic devices are at higher risk of becoming overweight or obese. The lack of physical activity can also contribute to a slower metabolism, which means that the body burns fewer calories.

Another reason is the unhealthy diet. Kids can be at risk of obesity because of their diet. Unhealthy foods that are high in calories, fat, and sugar are easier to get and cheaper, so children tend to eat more of them. The sizes of fast food and restaurant meals have grown too, which means children are eating bigger portions than before, which leads to them putting on weight.

Childhood obesity can have serious consequences. Kids who are obese are more likely to have health issues like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, and sleep apnea. They may also face low confidence, depression, and social exclusion due to bullying and being judged. And the effects of childhood obesity can last into adulthood, affecting physical and mental health, as well as school performance and social life.

In a nutshell, childhood obesity is a complex issue with multiple causes and negative effects. To address this problem, it is essential to promote healthy lifestyles, including regular physical activity and a balanced diet. Parents, schools, and governments can play a crucial role in creating supportive environments that encourage healthy behaviors and prevent childhood obesity. By addressing the root causes of childhood obesity, we can help children live healthier, happier lives.’

Example 2: Extract of the Cause and Effect Essay on Smoking

The average lifetime of a smoker is much less than the non-smoker. Knowing this fact, our society is still diving into this evil. Smoking is the cause of many deaths, higher than car accidents and this is validly proved by research. It is the cause of lung cancer, gums problems, social problems, etc.

Despite the causes of smoking, its effects are also evident in passive smokers. The smoke from the burning end is more hazardous than the filtered one. Hence, a passive smoker will always have ten times more sufferings than an active smoker.

Smoking not only has physical effects on health but also emotional and social effects. Smokers may experience anxiety, depression, and a decreased sense of taste and smell. They may also face social stigmatization and discrimination due to the negative effects of secondhand smoke on those around them.

Smoking is a harmful habit that has severe consequences on health, society, and the environment. The addiction to nicotine and the social and cultural factors surrounding smoking make it difficult for smokers to quit. To prevent the negative effects of smoking, it is essential to raise awareness of its harmful effects, promote smoking cessation programs, and implement policies that restrict smoking in public places. By reducing the prevalence of smoking, we can improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Example 3: Extract of the Cause and Effect Essay on Social Media 

Even though social media has been a huge help for businesses, especially these days, it also has its downsides. Recent research shows that younger people are spending more time on social media than on their school work, leading to a bad habit of being glued to their phones.

Studies have shown that social media use can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness. It can create unrealistic expectations of life and a sense of inadequacy and inferiority among users. The constant pressure to present a perfect life online can also lead to self-esteem issues and a fear of missing out (FOMO).

Social media is a huge part of life these days, but it has some notable effects on how we live. It’s made communication easier, but at the same time, it’s made us less likely to meet up in person and use our social skills. It can also have an impact on our mental health, plus it can spread false info and make people more divided. Knowing about these things is important so we can sensibly use social media and avoid any bad consequences.

Example 4: Extract of the Cause and Effect Essay on excessive non-work-related activities:

Distraction is the biggest harm to modern-day children. Nothing has affected them more than excessive non-work-related activities. Children in today’s world are more inclined toward adventure and glamor of things than being involved in their curricular activities. The advantages and disadvantages of non-work-related activities are seen in the consequences of it for the students.

Distraction is not just to draw one’s attention away, but also to confuse by unclear instructions and excessive non-work-related activities. Not just the causes, but the effects are manyfold too. Ranging from demotivation, and less mental growth, to disqualification, ill-mannerism, and many others. 

Example 5: Extract of the Cause and Effect Essay on Television and its role in Changing Our Way of Living

Since it first came out in 1954, TV has totally changed our lives. When color TV was invented in 1962, people went crazy for it. It’s changed the world in ways that were never seen before. We now spend more time inside, we watch TV with our families, our habits and routines have been completely altered, we exercise less and don’t interact with people as much as we used to. There are plenty of other effects too.

Example 6: Extract of the Cause and Effect Essay on Stress 

Stress is something that happens when we face demands from outside, like our job, relationships, or money problems. But when stress becomes too much or lasts too long, it can really hurt our bodies and our minds. The root of it all is how we feel about a problem or challenge – that’s what sets off our body’s reaction to fight or take off.

The effects of stress on the body are numerous and can lead to a range of health problems. Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It can also weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and diseases. In addition, stress can cause muscle tension, headaches, and digestive problems.

Though it’s often seen as a negative thing, stress can actually have some positive effects. Eustress, or positive stress, can help you reach your goals and do even better. It can also help you grow and become stronger.

Stress is a natural reaction to the things life throws at us, but too much of it can have a bad impact on our physical and mental well-being. Prolonged stress can cause a bunch of health issues, from heart disease to mental health disorders. But it can also push us to grow and work toward our goals. It’s important to learn how to deal with stress to avoid the bad and make the most of the good.

Example 7: Extract of the Cause and Effect Essay on Good Health 

Being healthy is super important for living a good life. It’s about more than just not being sick; it’s about feeling good physically, mentally, and socially. What affects our health can vary, from our lifestyle choices to our genetics, the environment we live in, and how easy it is to access healthcare. In this essay, we’ll look at the reasons why health is affected and what the consequences are.

Should we prioritize our health? Absolutely! Health should come before anything else. It’s not just about exercising, eating right, and so on, but it also comes from developing positive relationships. You’d be surprised how having good connections can do more for your health and longevity than just focusing on physical activities.

Looking after your health is really important – it’s influenced by things like your lifestyle, genes, environment, and how easy it is to get healthcare. Having healthy habits and being able to get healthcare easily is really important for keeping fit and well. Choosing unhealthy lifestyles and not being able to get healthcare properly can lead to bad health and cost more in the long run. Individuals and society must prioritize looking after their health to be happy and enjoy life.

Example 8: Extract of the Cause and Effect Essay on Optimistic People vs. Pessimistic People 

Optimistic and pessimistic people are two contrasting personality types that affect how individuals approach and perceive life. Optimists tend to focus on the positive aspects of life, whereas pessimists tend to focus on the negative. The way people approach life can have a profound impact on their overall well-being, relationships, and success. In this essay, we will explore the causes and effects of optimistic and pessimistic attitudes.

The research shows that optimistic people are typically healthier than pessimistic folks. But why is that? It’s because optimistic behavior helps people stay motivated after setbacks, and prevents them from getting discouraged. The cheerful attitude of optimists helps them view problems with a positive outlook and try to find solutions. On the other hand, pessimistic people are a bit better at dealing with their stress.

Having an optimistic or pessimistic outlook affects your life. Those who are more optimistic tend to be in better mental and emotional health, have happier relationships, and be more successful. On the other hand, pessimists tend to suffer more in terms of their mental and emotional health, relationships, and success. It all comes down to the way you view and react to events, as well as how you perceive the world around you. Knowing the causes and consequences of these attitudes can help you make changes in your behavior and thinking that will positively impact your overall health and success.

Example 9: Extract of the Cause and Effect Essay on Air Pollution 

Air pollution is a major environmental issue the world faces today. It’s caused by a mix of human activities, natural processes, and industrial practices, and it can have a range of negative effects on our health, the environment, and the economy. In this essay, we’ll take a look at the causes and consequences of air pollution.

The main reason for air pollution is burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. This releases harmful stuff like carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the air, which can cause health problems like breathing issues, heart disease, and even cancer.

The industry is a major contributor to air pollution. Manufacturing and mining can release a bunch of pollutants, like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, into the air. These pollutants can cause breathing issues and even cancer, which is really bad for human health.

Air pollution is a big ECO problem that can have serious consequences for our health, the environment, and the economy. Burning fossil fuels, driving, and industrial processes all contribute to air pollution and its effects are wide-reaching and serious. To really tackle this issue, it’s going to take a lot of work from people, businesses, and governments across the globe.

Example 10: Extract of the Cause and Effect Essay on Bullying 

Bullying is a major issue in schools and communities all over the world. It’s a kind of aggressive behavior that involves purposefully hurting someone either physically, psychologically, or socially. The reasons and consequences of bullying can be complicated, but it can have long-term, serious negative effects on those who are victimized. In this essay, we’ll delve into the causes and effects of bullying.

The consequences of bullying can be really serious. People who are bullied can end up feeling really anxious, depressed and have a low opinion of themselves, and in some cases, it can even lead to suicide. Bullying can also mess up school performance, making it hard for victims to focus or even make it to school. In the worst cases, bullying can even cause physical harm and long-term health issues.

Bullying can be extremely damaging, not just for the individuals involved, but for society as a whole. People may be scared to speak up or ask for help if they’re feeling threatened, which can create an atmosphere of fear and suspicion. Bullying can also lead to divisions and disputes within communities. Ultimately, it’s a complex issue that can have a huge range of negative impacts.

Get Help with Your Cause and Effect Essay from a Pro!

If you’re struggling to come up with ideas for your cause and effect essay, don’t worry, because we’re here to help! The experts at  Perfect Essay Writing  can provide you with the support and guidance you need to craft a compelling essay that will impress your readers. Whether you need help with brainstorming, outlining, or editing your essay, we’ve got you covered. So why wait?  Order now  and let us help you bring your ideas to life!

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The economic progress over the last few decades has been impressive by any measure and globalization has played a major role in it. Many countries that used to be perceived as poor and struggling economies are now envy of the world and poised to become the leading economies in the...

• Cause and Effect

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Writing an A-Rated Cause and Effect Essay

A cause and effect essay is a type of academic essay that is written either as a paper on its own or part of another bigger paper. Unlike other types of essays, lecturers like the cause and effect papers because it allows students to explore both sides of a topic or issue. In this post, we bring you expert tips to help you craft A-rated cause and effect essays.

Cause and Effect Essay Definition

A cause and effect is a type of academic writing where a student looks at the causes (reasons) for something, and then discusses the effects (results). It is because of this that the cause and effect papers are sometimes called reason and result essays. See some good cause and effect essay examples below:

• What are the causes and effects of global warming?
• Discuss the causes and effects of World War II.
• Analyze the effects of Brexit on the future of the EU

The Mechanics of Writing the Best Cause and Effect Essays

To write a winning paper, the first step is identifying the right topics for cause and effect essays. Then, research the topic widely to identify the main points to discuss in the essay. Finally, follow the following essay format and use the pro tips for higher marks.

The Essay Format

The essay format is the guiding structure that tells you what to discuss at what point of the paper. Well, you should not start writing your paper until you get the right structure. Here is an example of a format to use in your paper:

• Introduction: Here, you introduce the main idea that you will discuss in the paper. This is your opportunity also to bring out the thesis of your essay.
• Body: In the body, this is where you get into details of your essay. Ensure to discuss every point in its own paragraph, and use evidence to support your arguments. Remember also to capture counterarguments, which make your paper complete and more appealing.
• Conclusion: The conclusion is your chance to close the essay. Note that you should not introduce new points other than the ones you have discussed in the essay. However, you can call for further studies into areas that you found to have gaps.

Tips for Your Cause and Effect Paper

To help make your essay more appealing, you should go further than the format we have provided you. Here are additional tips to consider:

• Select a topic that you are interested in.
• Make sure to read other top samples and examples of cause and effect essays to see how pros do it.
• Make sure to understand and follow your lecturer’s instructions carefully.
• Ensure to proofread your essay well before submission.

Cause and Effect Transition Words

Cause and effect transition words are used to help highlight the relationship between a cause and effect. Remember that a cause comes first, and the effect takes place later. Below are some of the top cause and effect words to consider for your essay.

Cause Words

• The first cause of A is C
• Owing to Y and X
• The Y is the consequence of X
• As a consequence of A
• Because of X

Effect words

• X affects Y
• Y is one of the effects of X
• M is the reason for Y
• Another result of Y is X

Armed with the right cause and effect definition, format, and pro tips, you are now ready to craft the best paper. But if you have failed to find the example you want, feel free to order an essay from our writers. At Mycustomessay.com, we are committed to helping you craft the best papers for top grades.

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