Cause
and Effect
In a cause and effect essay, you examine the reasons or causes for a phenomenon and then the results. For example:
Once you have decided on the topic you will discuss, you should choose the method of developing your cause and effect essay. There are two commonly used methods of organizing cause and effect essays. In one, known as block organization, you introduce your topic, then give all the causes together as a block. Next, following a transition paragraph or sentence (depending on the length of your essay), you list the effects, followed by a concluding paragraph or sentence.
The second method of development is called chain organization. After an introductory paragraph, you introduce the first cause followed by its effect in the same paragraph. The second and third paragraphs introduce further causes and their effects. The essay ends with a concluding paragraph.
Question Method of
Development What does X mean? Definition How can X be described? Description What are the component parts of
X? Simple analysis How is X made or done? Process analysis How should X be made or
done? Directional analysis What is the essential function of
X? Functional analysis What are the causes of X? Causal analysis What are the consequences of
X? Causal analysis What are the types of X? Classification How does X compare with
Y? Comparison What is the present status of
X? Comparison How can X be interpreted? Interpretation What are the facts about
X? Reportage How did X happen? Narration What kind of person is X? Characterization What is my personal response to
X? Reflection What is my memory of X? Reminiscence What is the value of X? Evaluation How can X be summarized? Summary What case can be made for or against
X? Argumentation
