What It Takes To Write a Perfect Cause and Effect Essay
Often referred to as a reason and result essay, a cause and effect essay analyzes a certain event or situation by determining its effects. While the name is self-explanatory, most students still struggle to write such an essay properly according to the rules. Learning how to write a cause and effect essay is based on a few principles and some general rules.
Steps in Writing an Efficient Cause and Effect Essay
The first step introduces the reader to the actual effects. Whether you write about the high mortality rate among babies in developing countries or global warming, a good essay begins with the effect. This part must entice the audience into reading more.
The second step covers the points. While there might be more causes for a particular effect, chances are you will focus on one or a few of them – choose the most important ones. Stuffing your essay with 25 causes will make it too complicated and overwhelming for your reader.
Finally, the third step is all about organization. Organize the essay in paragraphs, categories, and subtitles to make it easier to read.
How to Organize a Cause and Effect Essay
The thesis statement should be in the beginning. You have to introduce your audience to the phenomenon or event that you plan to analyze in the essay.
Every other paragraph or subcategory should start with a description of what you write about. The first sentence lets the reader know what aspect they will find out about – usually the causes.
The final part of the essay is the conclusion. This is where you put all your ideas together neatly and cleanly.
What to Consider when Writing a Cause and Effect Essay
Learning how to write a cause and effect essay asks for the organization. While there are no major rules, here are a few suggestions that can make your life easier.
Always write with your purpose in mind. There are two types of purposes for such essays. Some people write to inform, while others try to persuade an idea.
Avoid dragging the story to the point it becomes boring and useless. If you can write something in one sentence, do not do it over three paragraphs. Go with the immediate and direct effects or causes. The causes you choose must be related and relatively close in time, rather than random and indirect.
Come up with supporting evidence. Have a few statistics and facts ready to support you, but avoid turning your essay into math work.
Finally, as you draw a layout for your essay, ask yourself the following questions for a simple organization:
- What is the effect?
- What are the causes?
- Which causes should you write about?
- Are there single causes or multiple causes?
- Is there a chain effect?
In the end, you do not need to be a professional to learn how to write a cause and effect essay, but choose the right topic, identify the optimal causes and follow a few rules.