Cause & Effect Essays

What are they? Cause and effect essays can be written in two ways: 1.Focus on finding the causes 2.Focus on finding the effects

They can be very confusing! Both types of essays talk about cause and effect. The easiest way to think about them is like a sandwich.

Sandwich? When you have a sandwich, even though we have bread on the top and bottom, its name comes from what is in the MIDDLE. Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Sandwich? In the same way, what the essay focuses on in the middle decides what it’s mostly about. Cause Focus Effect Focus Effect Introduced Conclusion Cause 1 Cause 2 Cause 3 Cause Introduced Conclusion Effect 1 Effect 2 Effect 3

1. A “cause sandwich” If you focus on the causes of something, your essay will look like this: 1.Intro: Introduce the effect and explain why it’s important to talk about. 2.Cause 1 3.Cause 2 4.Cause 3 5.Restate the introduction Effect Introduced Conclusion Cause 1 Cause 2 Cause 3

1. An “effect sandwich” If you focus on the effects of something, your essay will look like this: 1.Intro: Introduce the cause and explain why it’s important to talk about. 2.Effect 1 3.Effect 2 4.Effect 3 5.Restate the introduction Effect Introduced Conclusion Cause 1 Cause 2 Cause 3

Useful Transition Words BEFORE A CAUSE (GREEN)BEFORE AN EFFECT (RED) As a result of noun, S + V.For this reason, S + V. Because of noun, S + V.Therefore, S + V. Due to noun, S + V.As a result, S + V. Because S + V, S +V.Thus, S + V. Since S + V, S + V.Consequently, S + V.

Example Cause Outline Thesis Statement: Plagiarism is a frustrating problem for many teachers, and it is often caused by these three issues in students: poor attention skills, laziness, and poor planning. Cause 1: Poor attention skills Cause 2: Laziness. Cause 3: Poor planning

Example Topic Sentences Topic: The causes of plagiarism. Topic Sentence 1: Poor attention skills are one of the biggest causes of plagiarism. Topic Sentence 2: Another major cause of plagiarism is laziness. Topic Sentence 3: Finally, poor planning causes plagiarism.

Cause Focus Paragraph Example Poor attention skills, or not knowing how to listen carefully, is one of the primary causes of plagiarism. – HOW does this cause plagiarism? – How is it a problem? – Who/What/Where/Why/When

Example Effect Outline Thesis Statement: Plagiarism is a frustrating problem for many teachers, but many students are unaware of its effects, which are lowered grades, poor reputation, and low self-esteem. Effect 1: lower overall grades in the future. Effect 2: a poor reputation. Effect 3: low self-esteem.

Example Effect Outline Topic: The effects of plagiarism. Topic Sentence 1: One effect of student plagiarism is lowered grades. Topic Sentence 2: Another effect of plagiarism is a poor reputation. Topic Sentence 3: A final effect of plagiarism is low self-esteem.

Effect Focus Paragraph Example One effect of student plagiarism is lower overall grades in the future. – HOW is this caused by plagiarism? – How is it a problem? – Who/What/Where/Why/When

Practice Time With your partner, try to think of 3 causes and 3 effects of poverty. Person A will write a thesis statement that focuses on cause. Person B will write a thesis statement that focuses on effect.

Practice Time Example A: – Poverty is caused by many issues, including low education, poor community resources, and a criminal record. Example B – Three effects of widespread poverty include a higher crime rate, low student achievement, and higher drug use.