A cause/effect essay is based on a writers careful examination of a timely issue. When you develop this type of essay, your first task is to identify the most important points related to your subject. Your second task is to make clear cause/effect connections between these points. The effectiveness of your essay depends upon your ability to establish sound logical relationships between all of your main points. Use the guidelines below and the models that follow to help you develop your work. Remember you should focus on either causes or effects, but not both.
SEARCHING AND SELECTING
Think about recent experiences, conversations, newscasts, and headlines for possible ideas. A cause/effect essay could focus on an improved or deteriorating situation on your campus or in your community. It could focus on a recent development in medicine or in science, an exciting discovery, a milestone in history or in politics.
If a subject does not readily come to mind, review copies of your college, local, and state newspapers or periodicals such as Discover, The New Republic, Time, and Newsweek for ideas. You might also think of recent events that have changed your life: moving from a dorm to an apartme
nt, learning to play the banjo, starting a part-time job in the physics lab.
GENERATING THE TEXT
Collecting Once you have a subject in mind, determine what you already know about it and what you need to find out. Collect additional information by reading and talking with classmates about your subject. (Consider using a graphic organizer for your collecting.)
Focusing Establish a specific focus or purpose for your writing as well as an effective order for presenting your ideas (either the cause stated first, supported by specific effects, or the effect stated first, supported by specific causes). Write a number of focus or purpose statements and then choose the one that is most effective and clear.
WRITING AND REVISING
Writing Develop your first draft according to your planning. Dont, however, be afraid to follow a new line of thinking if one begins to emerge.
Revising Review, revise, and refine your writing before sharing it with others. (Make sure each paragraph or main point supports your focus.)
EVALUATING
Has the cause/effect relationship been effectively addressed? Does the writing contain an effective opening and closing? Has sufficient supporting detail been included?