Cause and Effect Essay

Irma Mokhtazar

Irma Mokhtazar

Definition
A type of essay that aims to explain the causes and effects of an event or situation. Causes why things happen

Effects what happens as a result

Irma Mokhtazar

Possible topics
Discuss the causes and effects of traffic congestions Write about both causes and effects Discuss the causes of traffic congestions Write only about the causes Discuss the effects of traffic congestions Write only about the effects

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Accidents

Tardiness

Poor road condition

Causes & effects of traffic jams

Stress

Traffic light malfunction

Loss of time

CAUSES

EFFECTS

Format (One-sided)
Causes only
Introduction Background info + thesis statement Cause #1 Cause #2 Cause #3

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Effects only
Introduction Background info + thesis statement

Effect #1 Effect #2 Effect #3

Conclusion

Conclusion

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Thesis statement
Causes only Effects only

Traffic jams are caused by accidents, road conditions and traffic light malfunction.

Traffic jams have resulted in the increased level of stress, frequent tardiness to the work place and much loss of time. Increased level of stress, frequent tardiness to the workplace and much loss of time are some of the major effects of traffic jams.

Traffic jams are caused by the following factors: accidents, road conditions and traffic light malfunction.

Format
Multiple Causes, One Effect
Introduction Background info + thesis statement

Irma Mokhtazar

One Cause, Multiple Effects

Introduction Background info + thesis statement

Cause #1 Cause #2 Effect #1

Cause #1 Effect #1 Effect #2

Conclusion

Conclusion

Format
Two Causes, Two Effects
Introduction Background info + thesis statement

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Cause #1 Cause #2 Effect #1 Effect #2

Conclusion

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Thesis statement
Multiple Causes, One Effect One Cause, Multiple Effects

Traffic jams are caused by factors such as accidents and poor road conditions, which may result in people arriving late for work.

The main cause of traffic jams is accidents, which will result in people arriving late for work and having unnecessary stress.

Format
Causal Chain / Domino effect
Introduction Background info + thesis statement

Irma Mokhtazar

Thesis statement

Domino #1 - think about boyfriend cant sleep at night Domino #2 - cant sleep at night cant focus in class Domino #3 - cant focus in class poor results Conclusion

Mention the FIRST and the LAST part of the chain

Thinking about your boyfriend leads to poor results in Intermediate English.

Body paragraphs
* -

Irma Mokhtazar

Must be supported by at least two supporting details Poor road conditions potholes due to heavy vehicles road works during the day
The main cause of traffic congestions is poor road conditions. For one, there are many potholes in the road that slow down traffic. These potholes are mostly caused by heavy vehicles that use the roads on a daily basis. Sometimes, the heavy loads they carry cause the surface of the road to break up, forming hollows. Another reason that contributes to poor road conditions is road works that are performed during the day. To block a lane or a few lanes during peak hours will cause tremendous traffic backlog as drivers driving on a four-lane highway may be forced to squeeze into two lanes. Hence, potholes and road works are definite contributing factors to poor road conditions.

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Transitional signals / discourse markers that express CAUSES

as since because because of owing to / due to is/are the reasons for is/are responsible for contribute to the first reason/cause is

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Transitional signals / discourse markers that show EFFECTS

therefore thus hence so consequently as a consequence as a result is/are the effect(s) of The first effect is

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Conclusion
Re-state thesis statement

Give suggestions, make recommendations

Irma Mokhtazar

1. Choose one topic.

1. Explain the major causes for the high dropout rate in college.
2. People who stay in condominiums may face some problems. Discuss the causes of these problems. 3. Explain the causes for the popularity of fast food restaurants. 4. Some people prefer to stay up at night and only sleep when it is almost morning. Discuss the effects of sleeping late. 5. Explain the effects of a fanatical devotion to a specific sport / famous person.