A Cause and Effect essay is concerned with why things happen and what happens as a result (effects). Cause and effect is a common method of organizing and discussing ideas. Depending on the kind of relation between causes and effects, your essay can be organized by one of the three patterns:
“Multiple Causes, One Effect” pattern
“One Cause, Multiple Effects” pattern
“Causal Chain (Domino)” pattern
Multiple Causes
One Effect
This pattern deals with the situation when one effect is a result of multiple causes.
It contains five paragraphs: introduction, conclusion, and three paragraphs, each one describing one of the causes, leading to the effect.
One Cause
Multiple Effects
This pattern should be used when one cause leads to multiple effects.
It contains five paragraphs: introduction, conclusion, and three paragraphs, each one describing one of the effects, the cause is leading to.
Causal Chain (Domino)
Sometimes a cause leads to a situation and that situation leads to another situation and so on.
This is called a causal chain or domino effect.
Causal chain pattern contains seven paragraphs: introduction, conclusion, and five paragraphs, each one describing one causal link. Writing Tips for a Cause and Effect Essay on any Topic
Introduction
In a Cause and Effect essay, the introduction is very important. It gives the reader his/her first impression of the text.
First of all, provide background information. Than state your essay’s thesis.
In “Multiple Causes, One Effect” pattern, enumerate the causes / causes groups leading to this effect. For example:
Hunger is a result of many reasons such as poverty, models of development and consumption, violence and militarism.
In “One Cause, Multiple Effects” pattern, enumerate the effects / effect groups of the cause. For example:
TV was also invented with positive thoughts in mind – there would be no national borders, education and communication would be worldwide, etc. However, we are now trying to overcome its physiological and psychological adverse effects on human beings.
In “Causal Chain (Domino)” pattern, state that the first cause in the chain leads to the final effect. For example:
Let’s see how the use of popular deodorants can bring the end of world. Multiple Causes, One Effect – Cause Paragraph
Clearly state the cause
One of the main causes of hunger is poverty – lack of purchasing power and access to resources.
Support the cause by two supports – major and minor
Poverty is linked not only with poor national economic performance but also with an unequal distribution of income and a political structure that renders poor people powerless, whether in a democracy or a dictatorship.
While writing, these supporting ideas should be adequately explained and exemplified as well.
Globally, incomes and consumption differ starkly. Twenty percent of the world’s population – mostly in industrial countries – receives 85 percent of the world’s income and accounts for 80 percent of consumption, producing two-thirds of all greenhouse gases and 90 percent of ozone – depleting chlorofluorocarbons. This level of consumption is not sustainable at the global level.
Use appropriate transitions
To blend details smoothly, use the transitional words and phrases listed below:
because, due to, on cause is, another is, since, for, first, second
One Cause, Multiple Effects – Effect Paragraph
Clearly state the effect
One of the physiological effects of watching TV in excessive amounts is eye-strain.
Explain it in details
It is true that there are specifications for watching TV; TV should be 5 m. away from the eye, the room should be adequately lit, TV should be placed at the same height with our eyes, etc. However, these do not prevent our eyes from getting tired if we keep watching TV for a long time.
If it’s a group of effects consequently explain each effect:
Another effect is obesity, which is widely observed in people who like watching TV and eating snacks everyday (there is even a term “TV snacks” to refer to fast food that is suitable for eating in front of the TV). TV is such a powerful machine that people cannot get away from it – it is addictive.
Use appropriate transitions
To blend details smoothly, use the transitional words and phrases listed below:
consequently, as a result, thus, resulted in, one result is, another is, therefore
Causal Chain (Domino) – Causal Link Paragraph
Keep in mind the causal chain
deodorants contain chlorofluorocarbon gases ->
this gas destroys the ozone layer ->
unfiltered ultraviolet rays melt icebergs ->
the sea-level rises -> sea covers the land -> end of the world.
In each paragraph you deal with one cause / effect entry
Clearly state the cause and the effect
Chlorofluorocarbon gases cause the ozone layer to become thinner and finally disappear in patches
Explain the link in details
Years of deforestation and pollution have slowly but steadily damaged the atmosphere and depleted the ozone layer. Refrigerators and air conditioners,
for example, emit harmful Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) which cause the depletion of the ozone layer, which results in Global warming.
Use appropriate transition terms
To blend details smoothly, use transitional terms, such as those listed below:
because, due to, on cause is, another is, since, for, first, second, consequently, as a result, thus, resulted in, one result is, another is, therefore
Conclusion
The conclusion of a cause and effect essay is one of the more important essay components. Without a solid ending, the earlier analysis could fall flat, no matter how well written the ideas were.
Restate (do not repeat) the thesis.
Global warming is the result of human negligence. Years of deforestation and pollution have slowly but steadily damaged the atmosphere and depleted the ozone layer.
Consider the implications
Put yourself in your reader’s shoes and ask yourself what needs to be said to finish things up in a clear, concise way. What things need to be addressed in order to wrap things up?
You may explain how your conclusion should be practically used; express your hopes as you look to the future; issue a call for action, etc.:
To reduce Global warming we need to control the air pollution, the emission of the harmful gases and factory smoke. We need to respect and protect our environment so that we have safe and healthy air to breathe and we can live in a clean atmosphere.
