Writing Cause and

Effect Essays

Fall 2008

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).

Understanding the Assignment

Cause and Effect Essay assignments

typically use the following language:
"What

are the causes of X?"

"What led to X?"
"Why did X occur?"
"Why does X happen?"
"What would be the effects of X?"
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Example:

Define recession and discuss the probable

effects a recession would have on
American society.

Essay Characteristics

Presentation of the event or issue.

The

reader must first understand that a

problem or issue exists. This explanation is
key to your analysis.

The use of strong, assertive language that

shows neither negativity nor bias.
The use of factual evidence to show the
cause and effect relationship.

Presentation of the Issue

It is important for your reader to
understand why the issue exists.
An explanation of the issue in combination
with a cause/effect analysis will allow the
reader to understand your point of view.

Avoid Negative Statements and

Bias

Avoid biased statements or make negative

statements to the reader
The

American public is too blind to see that the

death penalty is wrong. Voter ignorance is one
contributing factor that allows policies like the
death penalty to come into law.
More death penalty education is needed to
provide the voting public with the information
they need to make informed decisions.

Use the 3rd Person

I believe that the death penalty is wrong

because it is a state sanctioned form of
murder.
The death penalty is wrong because it is a
state sanctioned form of murder.
The

removal of the I believe that makes the

sentence more forceful. The purpose of a cause and
effect paper is to be as convincing as possible and to
convince readers to accept the cause and effect as
plausible.
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Brainstorming

Complete some initial brainstorming to

determine cause and effect relationships for your
topic.
As stated earlier, conduct research to find factual
information.
Determine if any of your cause/effect
relationships are faulty. Your conclusions are
faulty if the cause-and-effect relationship does
not exist, if it is unreasonable, or not clearly
established.
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Causal Relationships
Necessary CauseOne that must be
present for the effect to occur.

Combustion is necessary to drive a

gasoline engine.

Sufficient CauseOne that can

produce an effect unaided, though
there may be more than one sufficient
cause of a given effect.

A dead battery is enough to keep a car

from starting, but faulty spark plugs or
an empty gas tank will have the same
effect.

Contributory CauseOne that helps

to produce an effect but cannot do so
by itself.

Running a red light might help to

cause an accident- although other
factors such as pedestrians and other
cars- must also be present.

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Important Questions to Ask

Have I assumed only one cause when many causes may

be appropriate?
Have I incorrectly assumed a causal relationship
between two events that immediately follow each other?
Did I distinguish between long-term and short-term
causes and effects. A short-term cause or effect is a
single, immediately identifiable event; a long-term cause
or effect may be less easy to pinpoint but in the long run
more important?
Did I distinguish between primary (most important) and
secondary (ancillary) effects?

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Creating a Thesis Statement

Once you have ensured that your cause
and effect relationships are not faulty, put
together your Thesis Statement.
A recession, which is a nationwide lull in
business activity, would be detrimental to
American society in the following ways: it
would A, it would B and it would C.

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Transitional Words
Because
Consequently,
Therefore,
For this reason
As a result

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Points to Remember

Explain the issue, avoid negativity and bias, and

use the 3rd person voice to make your
assertions.
Perform a causal relationship analysismake
sure your cause and effect relationships are
valid before you start writing.
Transitional words will help pinpoint the
similarities and differences for the reader be
sure to use them.
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Last thought: Beware of the Fallacy

Dont fall into the trap of making a fallacious
(incorrect and inaccurate) argument! Read about
the fallacies and make sure that you know how
to find them in your own writing.

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