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Cause-EffectCause-Effect EssayEssay
IntroductionIntroduction
The The cause-effectcause-effect essay explains why or essay explains why or how some event happened, and what how some event happened, and what resulted from the event. resulted from the event.
This essay is a study of the relationship This essay is a study of the relationship between two or more events or experiences.between two or more events or experiences.
In other words, cIn other words, cause and effect essays focus on why things happen (causes) and what happens as a result (effects).
When writing a cause and effect essay:
1. Distinguish between cause and effect.
To determine causes, ask, "Why did this happen?"
To identify effects, ask, "What happened because of this?“
2. Develop your thesis statement.
State clearly whether you are discussing causes, effects, or both.
Introduce your main idea, using the terms “cause” and/or “effect.”
3. Organise supporting details.
You can organise details in the following ways:
• Chronological. Details are arranged in
the order in which the events occurred.
• Order of importance. Details are arranged from least to most important or vice versa.
4. Use appropriate transitions.
To blend details,
use the transitional words and phrases.
Cause Signal Words
Effect Signal Words
because, due to, one cause is, another is, since, for, first, second
consequently, as a result, thus, resulted in, one result is, another is, therefore
Block & ChainBlock & Chain
You can organize a cause/effect essay in two You can organize a cause/effect essay in two main ways:main ways:
1. Block organization1. Block organization
2. Chain organization2. Chain organization
Block OrganisationBlock Organisation
CauseCause
EffectEffect
EffectEffect
EffectEffect
EffectEffect
CauseCause
In block organisation, you first discuss all the In block organisation, you first discuss all the causes as a block, then, you discuss all the causes as a block, then, you discuss all the effects together as a block.effects together as a block.
CauseCause
CauseCause
CauseCause
EffectEffect
CauseCause
Effect Effect
Example:Example:
Cause Cause
Effect Effect
Your car is out of gasoline.
Your car won't start
Example:Example:
effecteffect
causecause
ObesityObesity
Eating disorders Eating disorders
Example:Example:
Thinking about your family
Forgot bring your ID card
Missed writing exam
Failed writing course
Cause
Cause
Cause
Effect
Example:Example:
Decrease in personal liberties
Increase in nationalism
Greater prejudice against those of Middle Eastern decent
The events of September 11, 2001 changed the face of our nation forever
Effect
Effect
Effect
CauseCause
Diagram of cause-effect essayDiagram of cause-effect essay
Introduction Introduce the subject
Introduction Introduce the subject
BodyDescribe the cause and its
effects
causecause
effecteffect effecteffect effecteffect
ConclusionSummary
ConclusionSummary
Diagram of cause-effect essayDiagram of cause-effect essay
Introduction Introduce the subject
Introduction Introduce the subject
BodyDescribe the effect and its
causes
effecteffect
causecause causecausecausecause
ConclusionSummary
ConclusionSummary
Chain OrganisationChain Organisation
In a chain-reaction essay, the reader In a chain-reaction essay, the reader describes how one event led to describes how one event led to another.another.
IntroductioIntroductionn
Cause Cause
Effect Effect
CauseCause
EffectEffect
ConclusioConclusionn
My wife left me!My wife left me!
Chain Reaction of events:Chain Reaction of events:
I received a deport from my boss.I received a deport from my boss. Because of my arrest, I lost my job.Because of my arrest, I lost my job. Because I lost my job, I had no money.Because I lost my job, I had no money. Because I had no money, my wife left me.Because I had no money, my wife left me.
Suggestions
Remember your purpose
Focus on immediate and direct causes (or effects)
Strengthen your essay by using supporting evidence
When evaluating a cause and effect essay, ask the following questions:
What are the causes?
What are the effects?
Which should be emphasised?
Are there single or multiple causes?
Are there single or multiple effects?
Is a chain reaction involved?
