5 Tips for Writing a Cause and Effect Essay

A cause and effect essay focuses on the relationship between events and results. The writer discusses a topic and its causes. For example, if you were writing about global warming you could include possible causes like industrialization or natural processes.

You could use the same topic and take a different approach by instead discussing the effects of global warming. Your essay could cover rising sea levels, melting ice caps, and the impact on wildlife. Both of these approaches can be written as a cause and effect essay. The best approach will depend on your purpose and goals.

The following tips will help you get started writing a cause and effect essay.

Choose a Topic You Care About

If this is an assignment, then you may have a list of topics you can choose from. In some cases, you may have free rein to come up with a topic with no restrictions. If this is the case, sit down and brainstorm a list of ideas.

When doing this, jot down everything that comes to mind. Don’t worry about pruning the list until you are finished. Once your list is done, you should look at topics that you already know and are passionate about. It’s best to select one that you have a real interest in.

Choose Your Essay’s Angle

You have to decide on an angle before you start writing your cause and effect essay. Are you going to approach from the side of the cause or the side of the effect? If you aren’t sure which is best, then try making a list of each. Review your lists and determine which appears the most complete. The more substantial angle will be easier to write.

Don’t Skip the Outline

It can be tempting to skip the prep steps and jump right to the writing part. Don’t do this. You could wind up creating more work for yourself later.

Instead, take the time to outline your essay. This will be your guide as you work. It will ensure that your essay has structure and hits on all the points you want it to hit on. The outline will also give you a way to see how the essay will be organized before you begin so you can make changes without rewriting on cutting sections that you already wrote.

Your Intro is Your Hook

The introduction is important. This is the first thing that the reader will see. It must grab their attention and get them to read the rest of the essay.

The intro should describe the situation or event and include your thesis statement. It should be clear and concise but also contain details that intrigue the reader.

Proofread and Reread Your Essay

Once you have finished your cause and effect essay draft, it’s time to proofread. Go over it for spelling and grammatical errors. It can also help to read your work out loud and listen to how it sounds.

Once you are finished, it is best to reread the essay once more to make sure it is polished and ready for your readers. Taking the right steps from the start will help you craft a compelling cause and effect essay.