Cause/Effect Essay
Definition
Cause and effects focus on why things happen and what
their results or consequences are.
Causes are the reasons why something happened. They answer the question, “Why did the event
happen?” Effects are the direct results or
consequences of an event; they respond to the question, “What happened because
of the event?” The study of causes and
effects are central to many disciplines:
science, history, sociology, psychology, etc.
Choosing a Subject
Consider recent experiences, conversations, and headlines
for possible ideas. It can focus on
current events, political or social events, or developments in medicine or
technology.
Thesis Development
The topic sentence or thesis should present the event or
phenomenon that will be analyzed and announce whether the causes, effects, or
both will be examined.
Organization
Cause/effect essays generally focus on the causes of the
effects of an event, problem, or phenomenon.
Some essays examine both causes and effects. The topic sentence or thesis announces
whether cause, effects, or both will be examined, and the supporting sentences
or paragraphs develop those causes or effects.
Tips on Writing
Before you start
writing, determine whether you will be covering the cause, effects, or both.
List all of the
causes and effects you can think of for the situation.
Examine each
cause or effect to determine whether it is a direct cause or effect of your
event. Keep in mind the difference
between direct and indirect causes and effects.
When examining
causes and effects, decide the value and importance of each item.
Clearly establish
the relationships between the cause and the effect.
Avoid mistaking
coincidence for cause and effect.
Avoid
oversimplification.
Don’t confuse affect
for effect
Affect is a
verb meaning “to influence.”
Effect is
usually used as a noun meaning “result.”
When used as a
verb, effect means “to make or to
cause to happen.”
Essay Guidelines
Due dates: Pre-Write due February 20; Rough Draft due March
6; Final Draft due March 20/
Essay
length: 700 – 900 words (between 3 and 6
pages)
Rough drafts can
be typed or hand-written, but must be double-spaced.
Final draft
format:
Typed (if this is
not possible, please let me know)
1 inch margins
Name and date on
the upper right hand corner
Number the pages
on the lower right hand corner
Title centered
above the text of the essay
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