How to Write a Cause and Effect

Just Because. . .
That’s Why Writing Cause and Effect Essays What is a cause and effect essay? The basis of cause and effect writing is to show that certain actions cause certain results or effects. As a writer, you can approach the topic two different ways. You can set out to prove that certain known causes will have a certain effect. Or you can approach it from the other direction, setting out to prove that a particular effect was due to certain causes. Be careful to avoid some logical fallacies here. Don’t assume that an effect has only one cause, and don’t assume that a cause has only one effect.Also, don’t assume that because one event precedes another event in time that it necessarily caused the other event.
You have to establish the link between the cause and effect, not merely assume it. How do I write a cause and effect essay? 1. Identify the person, thing, condition, or action that tends to bring about a certain result. 2. Your thesis (main idea) is to explain and prove the cause and effect relationship. 3. If there are multiple causes leading to a certain effect, or multiple effects from certain causes, use these separate causes and effects as your guideline in paragraph formation.

What can I write about? Does buying “cheap” pay off? Why did dinosaurs become extinct? What caused a particular war? What is the cause of war generally speaking? Why do kids cheat in school? What is the result of cheating in school? What causes global warming? What could be the result of global warming? What are the good and bad effects of “curiosity”? “Experience is the best teacher. ” True or false? What causes delinquent children? The Bible says that the truth can make you free. How? What causes stress or depression among teenagers?What will be the future effect(s) of a choice you make today? What are the causes of a particular disease? What are the causes of unhappiness? What are the causes of happiness? How does drinking caffeine affect you? How does smoking affect you? How does smoking dope affect you? What would be the effect of legalizing marijuana? How does lack of sleep affect you? What particular incidents or actions in a novel (play, movie, short story, etc. ) led to what happened in the end? What makes a person become a criminal? What might be the future effect of learning a foreign language?What will be the future result of learning to play the piano? How will quitting piano lessons affect the future? What would be the effect of legalizing illegal immigrants? Where can telling lies lead? How might technology change schools in the future? Someone once said there is no such thing as an accident. Is this true or false? Why do we forget some things but remember others? What causes tornados? (Or other weather phenomena like lightning, hail, snow, etc.? ) Why do certain advertising campaigns work or not work? Why are certain people so gullible?What might be the causes of certain phobias? What are some of the unfortunate effects of having certain phobias? Causes and/or effects of air pollution? What makes ____________ popular? Why children run away? Causes of divorce Causes of break-ups How to succeed in __________________ Causes of failure in __________________ Causes of the downfall of ______________ The effects of reading good literature The personal effect of participating in sports Why the airlines are struggling Causes of teenage driving mishaps What makes a successful relationship/marriage?Discuss this Spanish proverb: it is better to lose a moment of life than to lose life in a moment Why people follow bad leaders Why people buy dumb things Why people follow mindless traditions/customs The causes of poverty What, if anything, could eliminate poverty in the world? The causes of world hunger? What, if anything, could eliminate world hunger? Why are certain laws or rules necessary Special thanks to Lind Williams (PHS) Why do most jobs that women have pay less than most jobs that men have? What causes most accidents around the house? What causes violence? How and why did language begin?What causes a person to become ___________ Why might a good man break a particular bad law? Why might a good man obey a particular bad law? What might be the cause of a particular bad law? What might be the effect of a particular bad law? What causes police brutality when it occurs? What causes child abuse? Why do some people hate English? Why do some people hate math? Why do some people dislike_________? Why do some people like ___________? What causes a bully’s behavior? What is (or will be) the effect of a particular technological advance on society? Why don’t wild animals trust us?Why do you feel/not feel at home at ____________? Why does laughter keep you mentally healthy? What causes some people to be accident prone? What is the root cause of embarrassment? What does excessive television viewing lead to? What makes us laugh and why? How and why would athletes from two opposing teams both pray for victory? Why do most people vote as they do? Why do people fall in love? Why do people own pets? Why do people lie? What are the main causes of early death? Why do hunters hunt? Why do some people become vegetarians? Why do some people pursue particular careers? Why do people like to travel?Why do people like to play games/sports? Why don’t people from different social groups get along? What doesn’t cause______________? What isn’t an effect of _______________? Why are some people obsessed with __________? What is the effect of being obsessed with________? Explain why a certain plan failed Explain why a certain plan succeeded Explain the success/failure of a particular business Explain why people eat at McDonalds (or wherever) Explain why people do “extreme” sports Why is a particular book/author popular? What causes loneliness? What makes people happy? Why would someone join a gang?Why do people like scary movies? Why do people like amusement park rides? Why do schools have summer breaks? Why are graduation requirements what they are? Why do young people tend to like different music than old people? What makes a neighborhood get “run-down”? What are the causes of homelessness? What could end homelessness? What causes conflict between racial groups? What would bring about racial harmony? Ways to achieve peace in _________________ What is the effect in one’s life of believing or not believing in God? Is it generally a good idea or a bad idea for people from different religions to marry?Why should you or shouldn’t you give up your seat to someone in a crowded bus or room? What is the effect of good/bad manners? What explains the way people sign their names? How does individual behavior affect society? How and why does “peer pressure” affect people’s behavior? Think of a particular rule or law and discuss the possible results of keeping it or breaking it? How does one respect or disrespect nature, and what are the results? What makes a person “attractive” to others? What makes you like to be with someone? If you were trying to develop the perfect athlete in a particular sport, how would you train them?Why are so many Americans overweight? Why is the sky blue? Really. What causes the color? Why do leaves turn color in the fall? What creates a happy family? What is the formula for a good movie? What does it have to have?