How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay

A cause and effect essay is a type of essay that examines the causes of a particular event or situation and the effects that result from it. The purpose of this type of essay is to explore the various causes and effects that are associated with a particular event or situation.
In order to write a successful cause and effect essay, it is important to have a clear understanding of the topic at hand and to be able to identify the different causes and effects that are associated with it. Additionally, it is important to be able to organize the information in a way that is easy to follow and understand. The process is not as complicated as it sounds: keep reading a post from our essay writing services to find out how to craft an impressive paper.
What Is a Cause and Effect Essay
A cause and effect essay is a type of academic writing that requires students to investigate an issue, evaluate the evidence, and then establish a position on the topic. In other words, a cause and effect essay looks at the causes of a problem or situation and then explores the effects of that problem or situation. Cause and effect essays can be written on many different topics, such as families, relationships, health, history, and more.
There are three main parts to a cause and effect essay:
The introduction: This is where you will introduce your topic and provide any background information that is necessary for understanding the issue.
The body: This is where you will present your argument or point of view. You will need to support your position with evidence from research or personal experience.
The conclusion: This is where you will summarize your argument and explain how it supports your thesis statement.

When structuring this type of essay, it is important to
- get your readers familiar with the subject;
- identify the causes and explore them in detail;
- address all the ensuing effects;
- provide sufficient arguments to prove each statement;
- summarize key points to leave a lasting impression.
Because of the intricate characteristics, cause and effect essays often discuss scientific subjects. Yet, the writer's task is to express complicated concepts and phenomena in a simple, easy-to-grasp manner. The readers should be able to satisfy their curiosity. Ideally, they should have no questions left after going through the essay.
Now that you understand what is a cause and effect essay, let's find out more about the corresponding outline.
Cause and Effect Essay Outline
"Why do I need an outline in the first place?" you might wonder. Well, every piece of writing should be logically organized so as not to confuse the reader. The cause and effect essay outline allows determining how to structure it in the most appealing way while adhering to academic requirements.
A cause and effect essay is a type of essay that aims to explain the causes or effects (or both) of a certain event or phenomenon. This can be done either by providing a detailed description of the event or phenomenon, or by discussing the reasons why it occurred, or the effects that it had.
In order to write a good cause and effect essay, you need to have a clear understanding of what you are writing about. Make sure that you have a clear thesis statement that tells the reader what your essay is going to be about. Once you have your thesis statement, you can start to brainstorm the different causes or effects that are relevant to your topic.
Once you have a good understanding of the different causes or effects that are relevant to your topic, you can start to organize your thoughts into an outline. A cause and effect essay typically consists of three main parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
The introduction should give some background information on the event or phenomenon that you are writing about. It should also introduce the main idea of your essay and provide any necessary context for understanding the causes or effects that you will be discussing.
The body of your essay should consist of one or more paragraphs, each devoted to discussing a different cause or effect. Make sure to support your claims with evidence from reliable sources. If you are discussing multiple causes or multiple effects, make sure to discuss them in separate paragraphs and clearly indicate how they are connected to each other.
Finally, the conclusion should briefly summarize the main points of your essay and emphasize its overall implications or significance. You might also want to suggest further research on the topic or provide some recommendations for addressing the causes or effects that you have discussed.
1. Introduction
2. Body:
- ~ Variant 1
- ~~ Cause 1
- ~~ Cause 2
- ~~~ Effect 1
- ~~~ Effect 2
- ~ Variant 2
- ~~ Cause 1
- ~~~Effect 1
- ~~ Cause 2
- ~~~ Effect 2
- ~ Variant 3
- ~~ Cause & Effect 1
- ~~ Cause & Effect 2
- ~~ Cause & Effect 3
3. Conclusion
Body Paragraph of a Cause and Effect Essay Body (Causes)
Normally, the student will need to address several causes of the problem introduced by their thesis statement. It shows teachers that they have successfully analyzed the issue from a variety of angles. They may single out a single reason as most important, discussing it first, then moving on to describe secondary issues. Do not make the mistake of forgetting that every individual paragraph must be focused around one key idea. Therefore, every distinct cause should be delegated to its own paragraph.
To develop and introduce your idea, try using a traditional format for paragraphs, containing:
- A topic sentence
- Evidence
- Support
- Conclusion sentence
This structure is critical to effective writing. It allows text to run in a smooth fashion and effectively convey an idea. Furthermore, it should be applied to present the causes and effects that are being discussed.

Body Paragraph of a Cause and Effect Essay (Effects)
When scribing a body paragraph whose focus is centered around effects, you need to ensure that a logical connection is made to the causes mentioned within. Focus specifically on the problem's direct consequences, with the message being clear to the audience. It helps keep claims coherent.
Introduce the effects you are to discuss with the topic sentence. It's a good idea to cite a series of reputable sources with thorough research to prove a point. Cite according to the required referencing formats, depending on the type of essay. This includes but is not limited to APA, Harvard, MLA, Chicago, etc. Ensure that the necessary comments are made to explain key evidence and findings. Furthermore, it's essential to add one's own interpretation of the problem without just paraphrasing someone else's thoughts. For example, take note of the effects of addiction to social media and observe the expressions that can be potentially used in an essay.

Concluding Paragraph of a Cause and Effect Essay
A conclusion paragraph serves as the outro for a student's cause and effect essay structure. Although the thesis statement needs to be restated, it does not need to be directly copied. The goal is to remind readers of the general argument. See the below examples to observe what it means to restate a thesis:
Thesis: "The drawings of children are not just simple doodles; they show the kids' psychological concerns and state."
Restatement: "Drawings created by children provide insight into the condition of their emotions."
How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay Successfully in 5 Steps
To write a convincing cause and effect essay, one must demonstrate dedication, critical thinking skills, and sufficient organization.
Brainstorm Cause and Effect Essay Topics
First, begin by identifying suitable topics for the cause and effect essay. Several subjects of consideration include the development of ideas, cultural movements, and natural phenomena. The key tip for choosing cause and effect essay topics is to ensure that it enables the analytics and observation of the causal relationship.
Choose a Topic That You are Interested in and Have a Clear Understanding of
Opt for a topic that will be interesting for you to write on.
Organize Your Thoughts into an Outline
Don't forget about an outline, it will help you organizing your thoughts.
Create a Thesis for your Cause and Effect Essay
For cause and effect essays, a thesis is a statement of either single or multiple relationships between cause and effect that will be discovered by the reader in the body paragraphs.
Develop Body Paragraphs: Cause and Effect Essay Body
In accordance with standards for cause and effect essay format, the body should consist of anywhere between 2-5 paragraphs. Each should explore a specific facet of the relationship between causes. The core idea must be developed to begin writing the body paragraphs.
Edit and Revise Your Essay, Paying Attention to Grammar, Punctuation, and Clarity
With the aid of the thesis and brainstormed ideas for the body paragraphs, start writing the draft for the cause and effect essay. In it, ensure that a logical idea flow is created with the aid of transitions, linking of all paragraphs back to the original thesis, and topic sentences. Lastly, always keep in mind the essay's purpose.
Polish up Your Cause and Effect Essay by Proofreading it One Last Time Before Submission
Often, writing a cause and effect essay first draft will require revisions. Questions to ask include:
- Is the point of view clear?
- Does every example highlight the relationship of subjects?
- Are the body paragraphs convincing and logical in form?
Cause and Effect Essay Topics
Topics for a cause and effect essay paper can be as diverse as the student desires, for cause and effect essays are suitable for all manners of subjects, including but not limited to history, sociology, technology, physics, languages, and arts, to name several. If students are free to choose their own cause and effect essay topics, they should begin by picking one that matters most and subsequently prove its relevance. In such a way, the interest of the subject matter will drive motivation to successfully complete the task. Several of the most popular topic examples suggested for cause and effect essays are divided by category as follows:
Cause and Effect Essay Topics Examples for College Students
Topics for Education
- How does online schooling affect the academic performance of students
- What is the effect on educational outcomes for extended school days?
- How is the rate of dropouts influenced by standardized tests?
- How is student motivation affected by the general grading system?
- Why is learning so boring to the majority of the students?
- How is the effectiveness of learning influenced by the adoption of technology?
- How are the academic outcomes of students affected by sports and other extracurricular activities?
- What are the positive and negative outcomes of school uniforms?
- How is a student's future success affected by taking a "gap year"?
- What does learning fine arts do to affect students' learning in schools?
Topics for Politics
- What has resulted in a rise of democracy in the United States?
- What makes politicians choose their career path?
- What are the key outcomes of illegal immigration on society and the country as a whole?
- What are the core objectives that led to the British strategy of colonialism?
- How did the country benefit from colonialism?
- Which events specifically led to the American Revolution?
- What caused a rise in immigration rates?
- What are the potentially negative outcomes of legalizing drugs?
- What are the effects of poor leadership on behalf of politicians on the economy and the country?
- What are the specific impacts felt by the Affordable Care Act?
Topics for History
- How does the history of slavery still affect modern society?
- What are the main catalysts and outcomes of the American Civil War?
- Under what grounds what John F. Kennedy assassinated?
- What key reasons led to the collapse of the Soviet Union?
- How was the citizenry affected by the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis?
- What is the connection between the Roman Empire and the Rise of Christianity?
- What caused the pact between Stalin and Hitler?
- What caused the Arab Spring?
- Cause and effects of the witch trials in Salem?
- What were the outcomes of the attack on Pearl Harbor?
Cause and Effect Essay Examples
The following cause and effect essay example from our business essay writing service is designed to illustrate how the basic foundations play out in practice.
Social media can be defined as the online platform used by people to build social relationships and networks with others who have the same personal interests, backgrounds, activities, or real-life connections (Moreno et al. p 242). Social media has significantly impacted on real-life communication among different people a clear indication that it's part of people’s life. The advancement in technology has pressure people to accept the different types of lifestyles. Social media platforms enable users to communicate, share ideas, and created web content. With technological innovations on the development of smartphones and computers that can be used to access the internet easily, many people are now using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to communicate regardless of their location (Turcotte et al. p 520).
Globalization is one of the critical factors that has led to a change in the world economy. In the past persons used to do batter trade and they needed to travel long distances so that they can exchange their goods and services. One of the significant causes of globalization is modern technology, innovations in the sector have led to critical changes in communication and in the way people do travel and work (Lane &Mark E, 3-25). Mobile phones services and the internet enable organizations and individuals to exchange ideas, persons, and business organizations all over the world are interconnected. Through technology, there has been digitalization, which has changed the way business organizations work, how they deliver their goods and services, and how they associate with their customers.
Read also our article on synthesis paper, one of the most fascinating types of essays.
To Sum Up
To sum up, a cause and effect essay is a type of essay that aims to explain the causes or effects (or both) of a certain event or phenomenon. This can be done either by providing a detailed description of the event or phenomenon, or by discussing the reasons why it occurred, or the effects that it had.
In order to write a good cause and effect essay, you need to have a clear understanding of what you are writing about. Make sure that you have a clear thesis statement that tells the reader what your essay is going to be about. Once you have your thesis statement, you can start to brainstorm the different causes or effects that are relevant to your topic.
Once you have a good understanding of the different causes or effects that are relevant to your topic, you can start to organize your thoughts into an outline. A cause and effect essay typically consists of three main parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
The introduction should give some background information on the event or phenomenon that you are writing about. It should also introduce the main idea of your essay and provide any necessary context for understanding the causes or effects that you will be discussing.
The body of your essay should consist of one or more paragraphs, each devoted to discussing a different cause or effect. Make sure to support your claims with evidence from reliable sources. If you are discussing multiple causes or multiple effects, make sure to discuss them in separate paragraphs and clearly indicate how they are connected to each other.
Finally, the conclusion should briefly summarize the main points of your essay and emphasize its overall implications or significance. You might also want to suggest further research on the topic or provide some recommendations for addressing the causes or effects that you have discussed.
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