Cause and Effect Essay

Introduction
The cause-effect essay explains why or
how some event happened, and what
resulted from the event.
This essay is a study of the relationship
between two or more events or experiences.
In other words, cause and effect essays
focus on why things happen (causes) and
what happens as a result (effects).

When writing a cause and effect

essay:
1. Distinguish between cause and effect.
To determine causes, ask, "Why did this
happen?"
To identify effects, ask, "What happened
because of this?

2. Develop your thesis statement.

State clearly whether you are discussing
causes, effects, or both.
Introduce your main idea, using the terms
cause and/or effect.

3. Organise supporting
details.
You can organise details in the
following ways:

Chronological. Details are arranged in the order in

which the events occurred.
Order of importance. Details are arranged from least
to most important or vice versa.
Categorical. Details are arranged by dividing the topic
into parts or categories.

4. Use appropriate transitions.

To blend details,
use the transitional
words and phrases.

Cause Signal
Words

because,
due to,
one cause
is, another
is, since,
for,
first,
second

Effect Signal
Words

consequentl
y, as a
result, thus,
resulted in,
one result
is, another
is, therefore

What is a cause? What is an effect?

Cause and effect depend on each
other. You cant 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.

How to write a cause and effect

essay.

Step one:

Select a significant topic, for example, a social phenomenon or a

social trend.
Examples:
Social phenomena:
Teenage rebellion
Teenage violence
Domestic abuse
Environmental crisis
Pollution
Social trends:
Increasing number of teenage pregnancies
Increases in computer science majors.

Step two
Decide whether you want to examine
the cause or effect or both.

Step three
Examine each cause and effect
thoroughly, using sufficient evidence
to prove your points.

Block & Chain

You can organise a cause/effect essay in
two main ways:
1. Block organisation
2. Chain organisation

The patterns of cause and

effect essays are the following
BLOCK PAT 1

Introduction, Thesis
Cause 1 & TOS
Cause 2 & TOS
Cause 3 & TOS
Transition para
Effect 1 & TOS
Effect 2 & TOS
Effect 3 & TOS
Conclusion

BLOCK PAT 2

Introduction, Thesis
Causes with TOS
Transition para
Effect 1 & TOS
Effect 2 & TOS
Effect 3 & TOS

Conclusion

The patterns of cause and effect

essays are the following
Block Pattern 4
Cause-to-Effect
Pattern
Introduction,Thesis
Effect 1
Effect 2
Effect 3
Conclusion

Block Pattern 5
Effect-to-Cause
Pattern
Introduction,Thesis
Cause 1
Cause 2
Cause 3
Conclusion

The patterns of cause and

effect essays are the following
BLOCK PAT 3

Introduction, Thesis
Effects & TOS
Transition para
Cause 1 & TOS
Cause 2 & TOS
Cause 3 & TOS
Conclusion

Block Organisation
In block organisation, you first discuss all the
causes as a block, then, you discuss all the
effects together as a block.

Cause
Effect

Effect
Cause

Cause
Cause

Cause
Effect

Cause
Effect

Effect
Effect

 Example:
Cause
Effect
Your car is out of
petrol.
Your car won't start

 Example:
effect
cause

Obesity
Eating disorders

 Example:

Cause

Thinking about your

family

Cause

Forgot bring your ID

card

Cause

Missed writing exam

Effect

Failed writing course

 Example:

Effect

Decrease in personal
liberties

Effect

Increase in nationalism

Effect
Cause

Greater prejudice against

those of Middle Eastern
decent
The events of September 11,
2001 changed the face of our
nation forever

Transition Paragraph
In block organisation, a short paragraph
often separates one major section from
another major section. This paragraph is
called a transition paragraph.
Its purpose is to conclude one section and
introduce another section.
It is helpful when your topic is long and
complex.

Diagram of cause-effect essay

Introduction
Introduce the subject
Body

Describe the cause and its effects

cause

effect

effect

Conclusion
Summary

effect

CHAIN PATTERN
In a chain-reaction essay, the reader
describes how one event led to
another.
Effect

Effect

Introductio
n

Cause

Cause

Conclusio
n

My wife left me!

Chain Reaction of events:

I received a deport from my boss.

Because of my arrest, I lost my job.
Because I lost my job, I had no money.
Because I had no money, my wife left me.

Guideline for Writing Cause and Effect Essays

Introduction
Lead-in: Introduce the topic
Transition: Present popular assumption of the
cause or the effect concerning the topic
Thesis Statement: Present your speculation about
the causes or effects of the topic (at least three
cause or effects)

Body

Body Paragraph 1
1. Topic Sentence: Present the first cause or the first effect.
2. Supporting Details: Explain and provide examples.
3. Closing Remarks: Link the examples back to the topic
sentence.

Body Paragraph 2
1. Topic Sentence: Present the second cause or the second
effect.
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 or the third effect.
2. Supporting Details: Explain and provide examples.
3. Closing Remarks: Link the examples back to the topic
sentence.

Conclusion
1. Restate the thesis statement.
2. Offer a solution or share insight.

When evaluating a cause and

effect essay, ask the following
questions:
What are the causes?
What are the effects?
Which should be emphasised?
Are there single or multiple causes?
Are there single or multiple effects?
Is a chain reaction involved?

YOUR ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS

CHAPTER IS:
BBB3101 ACADEMIC WRITING SKILLS
SEMESTER I 2014/2015
ASSIGNMENT 2 (25%): CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY

Instruction:
Choose one of the following topics and write a 4-paragraph essay
consisting of an Introductory Paragraph, TWO Supporting Paragraphs
and a Concluding Paragraph.
Requirements:
1) Your introductory paragraph should not exceed 150 words, the
body paragraphs should not exceed 200 words each, and the
concluding paragraph should not exceed 150 words.
2) Your thesis statement should consist of at least 3 subdivisions
and choose only TWO subdivisions to develop your supporting
paragraphs.

3) Type your essay using Arial font, 12 pt., and spaced at

1.5 between lines. Remember to include page numbers.
4) You MUST cite works from experts. Include at least TWO
(2) specific supporting details of different types (e.g.
quotations or paraphrase/ statistics/ examples from various
sources / references / online journals). Citation and
referencing should be using the APA format.
5) Essays that are submitted after the deadline will be
penalized 2 points per day unless you have prior
approval/extension date, or a good and confirmable reason.
If you need an extension, see your instructor. Extensions are
at his/her discretion.

TOPICS: CHOOSE ONLY ONE

TOPIC

Topics:

TOPIC 1
The problem of poverty has gone global not only in developed countries, but in civilized
countries as well. In Malaysia, people are also suffering from poverty.
Write an essay discussing the effects of poverty on an individual.

TOPIC 2
As of 2007, around 2 million children were home schooled, increasing by almost 75
percent since 1999, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Based on the statement above, home schooling is getting popular every year among
parents. Write a cause and effect essay on home school.

TOPIC 3
Levels of youth crime are increasing rapidly in most cities around the world.
Write a cause essay on the increasing crimes involving youths.

YOUR JOB IS:

Prepare a full essay not more than
750 words.
Outline need to be submitted
together with the essay
Please print all the sources and
enclosed it with your assignment.
Due Date is 27 December 2014