Cause and effect essay guideline
CAUSE AND EFFECT
The cause and effect essay is an exploration of the reasons for or results of things or events. This type of essay can include both causes and effects, but generally contains only one of the two.
Before Writing a Cause and Effect Essay
1. Choose your topic. Make sure that the topic is not too large or too small. For example, a 500word essay on the causes of World War II will surely not be able to cover all relevant information. 2. Decide whether you want to discuss causes or effects. Often a topic will be better suited to one or the other.
3. Create an outline. This will help improve organization and coherence in your essay.
Tips for writing Cause & Effect Essays
1.Make sure your thesis statement indicates whether the essay will discuss causes or effects (or both). Examples of thesis statements
a) The chief causes of dissatisfaction among the workers in the office where I spent my placement are low wages, sexual harassment and boredom.
b) The beneficial effects of my annual canoe trip include reduced stress, increased fitness, and improved family relationships.
2. What is the order of the causes/effects you are writing about? (i.e. the least important to the most important, or vice versa.)
3. Avoid faulty logic. Make sure that there is an actual link between the causes and effects being presented. (i.e. ask yourself if you have assumed a cause/effect relationship where there is none.) 4. Fully support all your statements. Back up main points with clear examples and facts
(statistics or quotations may also be used).
5.
Conclude by re-emphasizing the importance of your main point.
The Writing Centre
Department of English
1
CAUSE AND EFFECT
When moving between causes and effects in your essay, the following transitional words/phrases may be used.
Transitions for Cause & Effect Essays
Transitions for Causes: is a result of, results from, the reason for, since, because (of), due to, leads to, is caused by
The cause and effect essay is an exploration of the reasons for or results of things or events. This type of essay can include both causes and effects, but generally contains only one of the two.
Before Writing a Cause and Effect Essay
1. Choose your topic. Make sure that the topic is not too large or too small. For example, a 500word essay on the causes of World War II will surely not be able to cover all relevant information. 2. Decide whether you want to discuss causes or effects. Often a topic will be better suited to one or the other.
3. Create an outline. This will help improve organization and coherence in your essay.
Tips for writing Cause & Effect Essays
1.Make sure your thesis statement indicates whether the essay will discuss causes or effects (or both). Examples of thesis statements
a) The chief causes of dissatisfaction among the workers in the office where I spent my placement are low wages, sexual harassment and boredom.
b) The beneficial effects of my annual canoe trip include reduced stress, increased fitness, and improved family relationships.
2. What is the order of the causes/effects you are writing about? (i.e. the least important to the most important, or vice versa.)
3. Avoid faulty logic. Make sure that there is an actual link between the causes and effects being presented. (i.e. ask yourself if you have assumed a cause/effect relationship where there is none.) 4. Fully support all your statements. Back up main points with clear examples and facts
(statistics or quotations may also be used).
5.
Conclude by re-emphasizing the importance of your main point.
The Writing Centre
Department of English
1
CAUSE AND EFFECT
When moving between causes and effects in your essay, the following transitional words/phrases may be used.
Transitions for Cause & Effect Essays
Transitions for Causes: is a result of, results from, the reason for, since, because (of), due to, leads to, is caused by