CAUSE AND EFFECT

ESSAYS
ENGLISH 103
“Every action has an opposite and equal reaction”
-Newton
What is a cause? What is an effect?

◦The cause and effect essay explains why

something happens and/or results of an event.
◦Every event has a cause and every cause has a
result.
◦Require concise organization and
discussion of thoughts or ideas in a reasonable
manner
 What is a cause? What is an effect?
◦Cause and effect depend on each other. You can’t
have one without the other.
◦A plane crashed. That is the effect. What are the
possible causes? Was it a mechanical or human
error? Was it due to the weather? Was it a terrorist
action?
◦Obviously there are many possible causes.
 What is a cause and effect essay?
◦A cause and effect essay provides reasons and
explanations for events, conditions, or
behaviors.
◦It involves tracing probable or known effects of a
certain cause or examining one or more effects
and discussing the reasonable or known cause(s).
 Organization
◦ Like any other essay, a cause and effect essay begins with an interesting
introductory paragraph, which ends in a clear and relevant thesis
statement (statement of purpose for the essay).

◦ In the introduction to a cause and effect essay, you can set the stage for the
rest of the essay by discussing the cause or the effect you will be exploring
in the body of your paper.

◦ The introduction is followed by body paragraphs in which you will elaborate

upon the thesis.

◦ End the essay with a memorable concluding paragraph.

 Point of View
◦For cause and effect essays, always use the third-person
point of view.

◦This will help you to discuss your topic objectively.

◦Mostly present tense but other tenses can be used

depending on the evidences, examples, facts that you
will provide.
 Introduction:
◦Write some general statements

◦Begin with identification of the causes and effects

and clearly mention them in your thesis statement

◦Clearly state whether you are discussing (3)causes or

(3)effects  in your essay
 The Body
◦Begins with the first cause and follows the chain down
to the last.
◦Or lists the effects in their order.
◦Analyze no more than three causes or effects of any
situation devoting a separate paragraph for each point.
◦Uses transition words to analyze the process rather
than describe it.
◦Remember, we’re telling WHY/WHAT.
 Transitions
Causes Effects
because, due to, one consequently, as a
cause is, another is, result, thus, resulted
since, for, first, second in, one result is,
another is, therefore
Patterns of Cause and Effect Essays

Cause Pattern Effect Pattern

◦ Introduction (with thesis ◦ Introduction (with thesis
statement) statement)
◦ Cause 1 ◦ Effect 1
◦ Cause 2 ◦ Effect 2
◦ Cause 3 ◦ Effect 3
◦ Conclusion ◦ Conclusion
 Causes
◦ Body Paragraph 1
• 1. Topic Sentence: Present the first cause.
• 2. Supporting Details: Explain and provide examples. Use statistics.
• 3. Closing Remarks: Link the examples back to the topic.
◦ Body Paragraph 2
• 1. Topic Sentence: Present the second cause.
• 2. Supporting Details: Explain and provide examples.
• 3. Closing Remarks: Link the examples back to the topic sentence.
• Body Paragraph 3
• 1. Topic Sentence: Present the third cause.
• 2. Supporting Details: Explain and provide examples.
• 3. Closing Remarks: Link the examples back to the topic sentence.
 Effects: positive and negative
effects
◦ Thesis statement (mentions three major effects: positive and negative)

◦ The 1st effect as a 1st topic sentence

◦ The 2nd effect as a 2nd topic sentence

◦ The 3rd effect as a 3rd topic sentence

(Supporting sentences: Statistics, evidence, examples, facts, observations)

If there is no positive effects write all negative effects.

 Some tips
◦Be factual and impressive.

◦Support all the causes/effects with good examples.

◦Use statistics, strategies, evidence and explanation.

◦Don’t make judgments. Be objective.

◦Avoid negative statements and bias.

 The Conclusion
◦Restate the thesis statement.

◦ Offer a solution or share insight

◦Describes the primary cause or results

◦Speculates on the best solution to the problem, as with

toleration solving argument.
 Effect Pre-writing Sample
◦ In a focus-on-effect, this sample outlines the effects threatened habitat of polar
bears as a result of global warming and the melting of large parts of the Artic Circle.
◦ Introduction: hook, connecting information and thesis.
◦ Effect 1: dangerous swimming conditions.
(Sea ice platforms further apart).
◦ Effect 2: Scarcity of food.
(fewer hunting opportunities)
◦ Effect 3: reduced population
(lower reproduction rate)
◦ Conclusion: restated thesis.
suggestions, opinions/prediction.
 Cause Pre-writing Sample
◦ In a focus-on-cause, this sample outlines the causes of global warming, such as
excessive carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
◦ Introduction: hook, connecting information and thesis.
◦ Cause 1: human activities
(carbon dioxide from vehicles)
(not recycling which requires creating more products from scratch)
◦ Cause 2: increased industrial activities
◦ Cause 3: deforestation
(Increased human population requires more space, so trees are cut down)
(Fewer trees means mean less oxygen, which causes a higher percentage of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere)
◦ Conclusion: restated thesis.
suggestions, opinions/prediction.
 The Danger in Cause and Effect
◦ Although there are many cause and effect relationships out there, you
must make sure they are supported by facts and with a dominant idea

◦ Sometimes advertisements and superstitions can be misleading when it

comes to cause and effect relationships…(faulty cause/effect: fallacy)

(Say, if you put on green dress and do well in the examination you
think your cause of getting good grade is the green dress.) so
cause/effect ultimately has to be logical.
 Points to Remember
◦Explain the issue, avoid negativity and bias, and use the
3rd person voice to make your assertions.
◦Perform a causal relationship analysis—make sure your
cause and effect relationships are valid before you start
writing.
◦Transitional words will help pinpoint the reasons and
results for the reader – be sure to use them.