Ucasal

Licenciatura en inglés
Materia: Ensayo
Profesora Soledad Loutayf
Grupo: Light blue

Integrantes: Nuñez, Ariel Ivan; Oropeza, César Ignacio; César Mariano Reque;
Soria Magdalena

Cause and Effect and Problem Solution Essays

The aim of the following report is to examine the layout of the cause and effect and
problem-solution essays. For the purposes of this paper, we have gathered and analyzed
information on their organizational structure, their purpose, and lexical words
characterizing both types of essays. Each essay format is composed following the logic of
the thesis statement, which might lay stress on either causes and effects or problems and
their solutions.

Cause and effect essays seek to illustrate how one event affects another, exploring the
context behind them and providing specific examples of the reasons and results. These
kinds of essays need to follow one of two types of layouts: effect-oriented or cause-
oriented. Folse and Pugh (2015) stated that applying one of these models provides a useful
means of discussing the possible relationship between the two events (p.134).

The basic structure of a cause and effect essay consists of an introductory paragraph,
where the thesis and its elements for analysis are stated; a body paragraph and a conclusion
paragraph. Regarding the body paragraph, it contains as many paragraphs as effects or
causes there are to discuss. Further suggestions, opinions and predictions are laid out on a
final concluding paragraph.

In preparation for cause/effect essay writing, brainstorming techniques such as double-

entry charts or mind-mapping will help find supporting details as well as additional causes
and effects. Indeed, the Excelsior Online Writing Lab (2021) claims that “writing is the
tangible result of thinking,” proving the importance of meticulous planning as the first step
in the writing process (para. 5). In addition, this type of essay reads smoothly if a variety of
causative verbs and circumstance adverbials of result are used.

Another type of essay used in academic writing is the problem-solution essay. The
structure of this essay can be organized in two forms: block and chain structure. In the
block structure, paragraphs that state the problems are listed first and paragraphs that state
the solutions are listed afterwards in two different blocks. In the chain structure, a
paragraph that states a problem is immediately followed by a paragraph that states a
solution. In any case, both types of essays consist of an introductory paragraph, which
specifies the problem and the thesis statement; a body paragraph, which contains as many
paragraphs as solutions and problems are described; and a concluding paragraph that recaps
the thesis statement and emphasizes the importance of solving the problems addressed. 

According to “King Essay Experts” (2021), a problem-solution essay is “used to state a

problem and the methods to solve it. It is argumentative writing in which you also aim to
persuade a person’s opinion” (Problem Solution Essay, para. 1). In this way, this type of
academic paper describes the problem and puts forward the most effective solutions
providing supporting evidence and persuading the reader. 

Wilson (2018) stated, “You may need to use expressions and language of cause-and-
effect essay to explain why the problem exists” (para. 8). That is why transition signals,
such as because, since, in order to, as a result, and so that are useful in attaining good
cohesion and coherence. These connectors, which might also be used in cause-and-effect
essays, help the ideas run smoothly and the reader understand the gist.

To bring the report to an end, we may summarize the findings in a few words. A cause &
effect essay aims to examine and explain the causes and consequences of a certain event. In
respect to problem-solution essays, these seek to convince the reader to take a particular
course of action in order to solve a particular problem. Each type of essay requires a
specific body paragraph and specific connectors. To conclude, we consider that both types
of essays are beneficial in academic writing.
References:

Excelsior Online Writing Lab (2021). Writing Process Overview. Retrieved from
https://owl.excelsior.edu/writing-process/writing-process-overview/
Folse, K. & Pugh, T. (2015). Great Writing 5: From great essays to research (3rd ed.).
Boston, MA: National geographic learning/Cengage learning.

King Essay Experts. (2021). Problem solution essay with examples. Retrieved from 

https://kingessays.com/problem-solution-essay.php

Wilson, J. (2018). How to write an IELTS writing task. Retrieved April 14, 2021 from
https://www.google.com/amp/s/blog.e2language.com/ielts-writing-task-2-problem-
solution-essay/amp/