How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay
There are several ways to structure a cause and effect essay. These include following a certain structure or writing an essay in the form of a story. You should start with an opening paragraph, and study the idea in the next paragraph. Slow down events if they are happening too fast, and emphasize the main effects. Then, write body paragraphs that follow each other. Listed below are some examples of how to write a cause and effect essay.
Example of a cause-and-effect essay
The main goal of a cause and effect essay is to show various effects of a particular event, such as the rise of Christianity, the Fall of the Soviet Union, or the development of technology. These essays display an analytical mastery of the subject matter and comprehensive knowledge of the subject. Cause and effect essays do not aim to persuade or argue. It is, however, necessary to understand the causes of the event, since this knowledge makes writing about the effects easier.
A cause and effect essay should begin with a thesis statement. The thesis statement indicates that the writer has an understanding of the topic, while emphasizing the significance of the problem in today’s world. For example, a cause and effect essay might discuss the Caribbean crisis, or the effects of the Cold War. A strong thesis statement will allow readers to draw a connection between the two aspects of a particular event.
Choosing a topic for a cause-and-effect essay
While most professors will give you a general theme for this type of essay, you’re likely to be free to choose the topic of your own accord. In such a case, brainstorming is the best way to come up with a unique idea and narrow down the topic. Moreover, researching the topic you want to write about will help you think about possible causes and effects of the topic.
While a general cause and effect essay topic is easy to choose, some are more challenging to research. For example, you may want to write about an issue that affects your personal life. Some of the topics that you may choose are discrimination, health, food, and technology. Likewise, personal situations can make for great cause and effect essays, like a bad decision or missed opportunities. The possibilities are almost endless when it comes to choosing a cause and effect essay topic.
Outlining your essay
Outlining your cause and effect essay is easy. The main key is to know exactly what to write in each section. An outline will make your essay look more coherent and compelling. Then, you can begin brainstorming for examples of the importance of the topic. You will also need a thesis statement. The thesis statement should state why this issue is important in our lives, such as the cold war and the Caribbean crisis. Then, in the body paragraphs, give details about the causes and effects of the issue at hand.
The goal of cause and effect essays is to illustrate a chain of action and consequence. You should avoid choosing examples that contradict each other or that don’t directly relate to the topic of your essay. In addition, make sure that you focus your cause and effect essay on immediate effects. A good example of a cause and effect essay is a marketing strategy that emphasizes the need for doctors. Then, outline the effects of that decision.
Conclusion of a cause-and-effect essay
There are two basic ways to structure a cause and effect essay, similar to a problem-solution essay. In either format, you’ll begin with a cause, and then list its effect. You’ll then support the effects by providing evidence to back them up. Generally, the effects follow each other, starting with the first effect. A cause-and-effect essay can also be organized to emphasize the interrelationship between the two.
The conclusion of a cause-and-effect essay should restate the thesis statement, summarize the supporting points, and reiterate the thesis. While it’s tempting to repeat your thesis, the conclusion is an opportunity to restate your argument and clarify any misunderstandings you may have made throughout the essay. You should also use this section to include a final thought. To conclude a cause and effect essay, you should write two drafts. The first draft is meant to clarify your outline and help you visualize your researched points.
