Bismillaah

Steps to Writing a Cause or Effect Essay

Modified by Raymond Dyette

1. Read and understand the prompt or writing directions. What are you
being asked to write about?
2. Write your essay. Ensure that you have an Introductory Paragraph,
Three (3) Body Paragraphs and a Concluding Paragraph. Please ensure
that each paragraph includes the following:
(a) Introduction:
Use a lead that grabs the reader's attention.
Give background information about the situation.
Create a thesis statement that clearly states whether you are doing a
Cause or Effect Essay.
NB:
Remember that the thesis will have either three cause points or three effect
points.
(b) Body Paragraphs 1-3:
Each of the three body paragraphs will contain:
A topic sentence

1st supporting detail sentence

1st supporting detail explanation/example sentence
2nd supporting detail sentence
2nd supporting detail explanation/example sentence
3rd supporting detail sentence
3rd supporting detail explanation/example sentence
Concluding sentence/transition sentence

(c) Conclusion/Concluding Paragraph:

Restate your thesis in a new way.
Make a call to action and ask for the reader's help, if appropriate.
3. Proofread and edit your essay. Check your spelling, grammar, and
punctuation. Are your paragraphs indented? Is the verb tense consistent? Are
all names spelled correctly and capitalized? Have you avoided writing *runon sentences and *sentence fragments?
*What is a run-on sentence?

*What is a sentence fragment?

Source of Grammatical Definitions: