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The Cause and effect essay is another common essay type, either as an essay type on its own, or as part of a larger essay which includes one or more paragraphs examining causes and effects. This page gives information on what a cause and effect essay is , how to structure this type of essay, and how to use cause and effect structure words (transition signals) for this type of essay. There is also an example cause and effect essay on the topic of women at work, as well as some exercises to help you practice this area.
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A cause and effect essay looks at the reasons (or causes) for something, then discusses the results (or effects). For this reason, cause and effect essays are sometimes referred to as reason and result essays. They are one of the most common forms of organisation in academic writing. Sometimes the whole essay will be cause and effect, though sometimes this may be only part of the whole essay. It is also possible, especially for short exam essays, that only the causes or the effects, not both, are discussed. See the examples below.
There are two main ways to structure a cause and effect essay. These are similar to the ways to structure problem-solution essays , namely using a block or a chain structure. For the block structure, all of the causes are listed first, and all of the effects are listed afterwards. For the chain structure, each cause is followed immediately by the effect. Usually that effect will then be the cause of the next effect, which is why this structure is called 'chain'. Both types of structure have their merits. The former is generally clearer, especially for shorter essays, while the latter ensures that any effects you present relate directly to the causes you have given.
The two types of structure, block and chain , are shown in the diagram below.
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Cause and effect structure words are transition signals which show the cause and effect relationships. It is important to be clear which is the cause (or reason) and which is the effect (or result), and to use the correct transition word or phrase. Remember that a cause happens first , and the effect happens later .
Below are some common cause and effect structure words. X is used to indicate a cause, while Y is used to indicate the effect.
Below is a cause and effect essay. This essay uses the block structure . Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay, i.e. Causes, Effects, and structure words. This will highlight not simply the paragraphs, but also the thesis statement and summary , as these repeat the causes and effects contained in the main body.
Title: More and more women are now going out to work and some women are now the major salary earner in the family. What are the causes of this, and what effect is this having on families and society?
In the past, most women stayed at home to take care of domestic chores such as cooking or cleaning. Women's liberation and feminism have meant that this situation has been transformed and in contemporary society women are playing an almost equal role to men in terms of work. This has had significant consequences , both in terms of the family , for example by improving quality of life and increasing children's sense of independence , and also for society itself with greater gender equality . The main reasons behind the increase of women in the workplace are women's liberation and feminism. The women's liberation movement originated in the 1960s and was popularised by authors such as Simone de Beauvoir. As a consequence of this, new legislation emerged, granting women equal rights to men in many fields, in particular employment. Because of feminist ideas, men have taken up roles which were previously seen as being for women only, most importantly those related to child rearing. As a result of this, women have more time to pursue their own careers and interests. These have led to some significant effects, both to family life and to society as a whole. Although the earning capacity of a woman in her lifetime is generally much less than that of a man, she can nevertheless make a significant contribution to the family income. The most important consequence of this is an improved quality of life. By helping to maintain a steady income for the family, the pressure on the husband is considerably reduced, hence improving both the husband's and the wife's emotional wellbeing. Additionally, the purchasing power of the family will also be raised. This means that the family can afford more luxuries such as foreign travel and a family car. A further effect on the family is the promotion of independence in the children. Some might argue that having both parents working might be damaging to the children because of a lack of parental attention. However, such children have to learn to look after themselves at an earlier age, and their parents often rely on them to help with the housework. This therefore teaches them important life skills. As regards society, the most significant impact of women going to work is greater gender equality. There are an increasing number of women who are becoming politicians, lawyers, and even CEOs and company managers. This in turn has led to greater equality for women in all areas of life, not just employment. For example, women today have much stronger legal rights to protect themselves against domestic violence and sexual discrimination in the workplace. In conclusion, the increasing number of women at work has brought about some important changes to family life, including improved quality of life and increased independence for children, as well as affecting society itself. It is clear that the sexes are still a long way from being equal in all areas of life, however, and perhaps the challenge for the present century is to ensure that this takes place.
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Below is a checklist for cause and effect essays. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.
The essay is a essay | ||
An appropriate is used, either or | ||
Cause and effect are used accurately | ||
The essay has clear | ||
Each paragraph has a clear | ||
The essay has strong support (facts, reasons, examples, etc.) | ||
The conclusion includes a of the main points |
Find out how to write problem-solution essays in the next section.
Go back to the previous section about compare & contrast essays .
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Author: Sheldon Smith ‖ Last modified: 16 January 2022.
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Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.
Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).
Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.
Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).
Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.
Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.
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Learning objectives.
It is often considered human nature to ask, “why?” and “how?” We want to know how our child got sick so we can better prevent it from happening in the future, or why our colleague a pay raise because we want one as well. We want to know how much money we will save over the long term if we buy a hybrid car. These examples identify only a few of the relationships we think about in our lives, but each shows the importance of understanding cause and effect.
A cause is something that produces an event or condition; an effect is what results from an event or condition. The purpose of the cause-and-effect essay is to determine how various phenomena relate in terms of origins and results. Sometimes the connection between cause and effect is clear, but often determining the exact relationship between the two is very difficult. For example, the following effects of a cold may be easily identifiable: a sore throat, runny nose, and a cough. But determining the cause of the sickness can be far more difficult. A number of causes are possible, and to complicate matters, these possible causes could have combined to cause the sickness. That is, more than one cause may be responsible for any given effect. Therefore, cause-and-effect discussions are often complicated and frequently lead to debates and arguments.
Use the complex nature of cause and effect to your advantage. Often it is not necessary, or even possible, to find the exact cause of an event or to name the exact effect. So, when formulating a thesis, you can claim one of a number of causes or effects to be the primary, or main, cause or effect. As soon as you claim that one cause or one effect is more crucial than the others, you have developed a thesis.
Consider the causes and effects in the following thesis statements. List a cause and effect for each one on your own sheet of paper.
Write three cause-and-effect thesis statements of your own for each of the following five broad topics.
The cause-and-effect essay opens with a general introduction to the topic, which then leads to a thesis that states the main cause, main effect, or various causes and effects of a condition or event.
The cause-and-effect essay can be organized in one of the following two primary ways:
For example, if your essay were on childhood obesity, you could start by talking about the effect of childhood obesity and then discuss the cause or you could start the same essay by talking about the cause of childhood obesity and then move to the effect.
Regardless of which structure you choose, be sure to explain each element of the essay fully and completely. Explaining complex relationships requires the full use of evidence, such as scientific studies, expert testimony, statistics, and anecdotes.
Because cause-and-effect essays determine how phenomena are linked, they make frequent use of certain words and phrases that denote such linkage. See Table 10.4 “Phrases of Causation” for examples of such terms.
Table 10.4 Phrases of Causation
as a result | consequently |
because | due to |
hence | since |
thus | therefore |
The conclusion should wrap up the discussion and reinforce the thesis, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the relationship that was analyzed.
Be careful of resorting to empty speculation. In writing, speculation amounts to unsubstantiated guessing. Writers are particularly prone to such trappings in cause-and-effect arguments due to the complex nature of finding links between phenomena. Be sure to have clear evidence to support the claims that you make.
Look at some of the cause-and-effect relationships from Note 10.83 “Exercise 2” . Outline the links you listed. Outline one using a cause-then-effect structure. Outline the other using the effect-then-cause structure.
Choose an event or condition that you think has an interesting cause-and-effect relationship. Introduce your topic in an engaging way. End your introduction with a thesis that states the main cause, the main effect, or both.
Organize your essay by starting with either the cause-then-effect structure or the effect-then-cause structure. Within each section, you should clearly explain and support the causes and effects using a full range of evidence. If you are writing about multiple causes or multiple effects, you may choose to sequence either in terms of order of importance. In other words, order the causes from least to most important (or vice versa), or order the effects from least important to most important (or vice versa).
Use the phrases of causation when trying to forge connections between various events or conditions. This will help organize your ideas and orient the reader. End your essay with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and reinforces your thesis. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample cause-and-effect essay.
Choose one of the ideas you outlined in Note 10.85 “Exercise 3” and write a full cause-and-effect essay. Be sure to include an engaging introduction, a clear thesis, strong evidence and examples, and a thoughtful conclusion.
The cause-and-effect essay can be organized in one of these two primary ways:
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Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms
In composition , cause and effect is a method of paragraph or essay development in which a writer analyzes the reasons for—and/or the consequences of—an action, event, or decision.
A cause-and-effect paragraph or essay can be organized in various ways. For instance, causes and/or effects can be arranged in either chronological order or reverse chronological order. Alternatively, points can be presented in terms of emphasis , from least important to most important, or vice versa.
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Each paragraph should focus on a single cause or effect, providing clear explanations and supporting evidence. It is important to use transitional words and phrases to guide the reader through the essay, making connections between causes and effects. Additionally, proper organization is key in a cause and effect essay.
Choose a compelling topic. Before diving into the process of writing a cause and effect essay, it is crucial to choose a topic that is both compelling and interesting. The topic you select will determine the direction and focus of your essay, so it is important to choose carefully. When selecting a topic, consider something that is relatable ...
4. Using Transitional Words and Phrases. Use transitional words and phrases to ensure a smooth flow of ideas and improve the readability of your essay. Words and phrases such as "because," "as a result," "therefore," and "consequently" can help signal the cause and effect relationships in your writing. 5.
A Guide to Writing a Cause and Effect Essay
This paragraph is basically the same as the previous one, with the only difference that here, we will discuss the effects of the phenomenon. Let's continue with our topic: Effect #1 - higher levels of frustration; Effect #2 - lower income; Effect #3 - feelings of insecurity and vulnerability.
Cause And Effect Essay Structure. Introduction: Hook: Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. Background Information: Provide context and background information on the topic. Thesis Statement: Clearly state the main causes and effects you will discuss in your essay. Body Paragraphs: Paragraph 1: Introduction to Causes Topic Sentence: Introduce the first ...
When you write a cause and effect essay, you are writing an expository essay that has an introduction with a strong thesis statement, followed by the body of the work, and finishing with a conclusion. A short cause and effect essay could literally have only five paragraphs. An essay of one to three pages can be a true five-paragraph essay.
How to Write a Body Paragraph for a College Essay
The Block Method of Structuring Cause and Effect Essays. Essays using the block method tend to be shorter as the format is used when the cause-effect relationship is more or less straightforward. There is a direct and very evident correlation between the two. The block method is also employed when there is a single cause that has resulted in ...
Here are the key steps to guide you through the creation of a well-structured and impactful piece: Steps to Write a Cause and Effect Paragraph: 1. Identify the Topic or Event. Choose a specific event, situation, or phenomenon as the focus of your paragraph.
Step 1: Choose the Essay Topic. Begin by choosing a topic that has significance and relevance. Look for subjects with clear cause-and-effect relationships to ensure your essay has a solid foundation. Consider both personal interests and the potential appeal to your target audience.
How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay: Full Guide
Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Jun 7, 2021 • 2 min read. Cause-and-effect essay structure is a way of exploring relationships between ideas and events.
Cause and Effect Essay Outline
A cause and effect essay is a type of essay that explores how an event came into being and what transpires because of that event. We guide you through writing one with examples. ... Sample Body Paragraphs for a Cause and Effect Essay. ... Tips for Writing a Cause and Effect Essay.
Cause #1. Cause #2. Cause #3 (and so on…) The effect of the causes. Conclusion. 2. One cause, many effects. This type of cause and effect essay is constructed to show the various effects of a particular event, problem, or decision. Once again, you will have to demonstrate your comprehensive knowledge and analytical mastery of the field.
8 Cause and Effect Essay Examples to Help You Get Started
Use a hamburger essay form (introduction, three body paragraphs, conclusion) for cause and effect essays. Begin by brainstorming (example below). Next, write a quick outline using ideas created by brainstorming. Use your outline as a map to writing your essay. It may take a few minutes to develop an outline, but having an outline results in a ...
Cause & effect essays Aka reason and result
10.8 Cause and Effect - Writing for Success
Cause and Effect Language. Step 3: Choose the right language. Now you can write a great cause and effect essay using your outline. There are several language formulas that can effectively show cause and effect relationships, so take the time to choose the best ones for your piece.
There are two ways to approach this type of essay. You can choose an event and then write about what caused that event to occur. Or you can choose an event or phenomenon and delve into how it has affected the world. There are 2 ways to approach cause and effect essays: focus on the causes or focus on the effects. Click To Tweet.
In composition, cause and effect is a method of paragraph or essay development in which a writer analyzes the reasons for—and/or the consequences of—an action, event, or decision. A cause-and-effect paragraph or essay can be organized in various ways. For instance, causes and/or effects can be arranged in either chronological order or ...