CAUSE/EFFECT ESSAY
Cause/effect essays are a type of expository essay. Expository essays describe and explain a
topic in detail. To write a cause/effect essay, you need to describe:
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A situation in which one action or event caused certain effects to occur
The various causes of a certain situation
The various effects of a certain situation
Essentially, you are explaining what took place and why.
Here’s an extract from a cause essay:
There are many factors that can contribute to the cause of eating disorders. One of the
main reasons seems to be the obsession over every little pound a person is wearing.
Sometimes low self-esteem or depression from any number of causes can usher in the
eating disorder. Other times compulsive exercising can help shed the pounds but leave the
enthused unhealthy looking.
[Source: http://www.roanestate.edu/owl/Cause.html]
RECOGNISING A CAUSE/EFFECT ESSAY QUESTION
Cause/effect essays aren’t always directly indicated on an assignment. You will know that you
are writing a cause or effect essay when your instructor gives directions, such as:
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Analyze how the actions of one character in the novel impact the other characters.
Describe the repercussions of the Asian currency crisis of 1997.
Explain the events that led to the current crisis in Ukraine.
Analyze the effects of diet on the health of a population group in Canada.
A typical starting point for this type of essay might look like these:
 Hamlet’s indecision had a great impact on his family, his relationships and finally himself.
 The Tohoku Tsunami caused widespread death and destruction in Japan.
 Public dissatisfaction with the direction of the government in Kyiv led to popular protests
that ultimately brought down the government.
 Highly processed foods have led to rising rates of diabetes among children in Canada.
LIMITATIONS OF CAUSE/EFFECT
Causes and effects can be an endless chain or circle of cause effect  cause . . . . The key
is to not go back too far. For example:
 The tsunami was caused by an earthquake.
 The earthquake was caused by shifting ocean plates.
 The plates shifted because . . .
Alexander College Writing & Learning Centres
Cause/Effect Essay / 2
The Big Bang
Clearly, this is too far back, unless you actually are writing an essay on the origins of life in the
universe. 
To keep your essay on target and focussed so that you can deal with your topic in enough
depth:
 Identify the main, most important or immediate cause or effect, OR
 Ask yourself which cause or effect most interests you OR
 Decide whether or not you will have access to enough research material to write a
strong essay
 In the above example, the earthquake caused the tsunami, you might consider
focusing on the earthquake as the key cause of the tsunami, or you might focus
on the effects of the tsunami
 So, you might write an essay that describes what earthquakes are and
how this earthquake led to the tsunami. OR
 You might write an essay that explains the tsunami’s economic, social,
and environmental effects.
ORGANISING YOUR CAUSE/EFFECT ESSAY
A Cause/Effect essay will contain 3 main SECTIONS:
Section 1: Introduction
 This will grab your reader’s attention
 Introduce your topic (tell the reader what your essay is about)
 Present your thesis statement – this identifies the focus of your essay
Section 2:
 This is the largest section of your essay.
 This may be as small as three paragraphs for short essays.
 For a short essay you will discuss 3 causes or 3 effects.
• Each paragraph will contain an interesting topic sentence that introduces
a main point (cause/effect) in your essay.
• It will also include supporting arguments and points from your research.
 In longer essays, each main point may be given 2-3 paragraphs of discussion.
• This type of essay will require more research to make sure your points
have enough support
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Cause/Effect Essay / 3
 The order of the discussion of the causes and/or effects in your essay is up to you.
 Some writers like to leave the most import cause/effect for last
 Others prefer to focus on the most significant cause/effect right away to get
readers interested in the topic
 Stay focused
 Check to make sure your causes/effects are connected to each other and to the
main focus of your essay you indentified in your thesis statement.
 Remember to use transition words and phrases as you move from discussing one
cause/effect to another
 Use transitions that add emphasis and link the causes/effects together as well as
tying them back into your thesis statement.
Section 3: Conclusion
 This should be a summary of the main causes and/or effects you have discussed in your
essay.
 Your conclusion and thesis statement should agree with each other
 Include a final thought or idea that will leave a lasting impression on your readers
 The goal is to make your readers think about your essay after they have finished
reading it.
Things to Remember when Writing a Cause/Effect Essay
1. Organisation is key
 Organise your causes/effects into a rational order before you write
 Using an essay outline can help you with this
2. CITE AS YOU WRITE!
 Cite your sources in your outline then transfer them to your draft and final copy.
• Use the essay format and citation style indicated by your instructor
3. Use reliable sources.
 We recommend using the Alexander Library and Database collections.
Here are some additional resources that may be helpful to you. These Academic Writing
Tools are available at the Writing & Learning Centres:
To outline your essay see our Outline: Short Essay (fewer than 5 pages) or Extended
Essay (more than 5 pages).
If your instructor has requested an annotated bibliography, see our Writing Guide:
Annotated Bibliography.
For help with writing a thesis statement, see our Writing Guide: Thesis Statement.
For information about citing your sources see the Citation Style Guides links on the
library web page under Research Tools.
For additional help, please make an appointment with a Writing & Learning Centre
writing instructor at: https://alexander.mywconline.com/
Alexander College Writing & Learning Centres