cause and effect essays thesis

WRITE A THESIS STATEMENT FOR A CAUSE AND EFFECT ESSAY

If you are a student at college or university, you know that there are certain particularities in formulating a cause and effect essay thesis statement. But, it can be a real challenge for one to understand the essence of that phrase. Or, even if you do so, on practice, things may go differently. Many students are sweating over the issue of how to express their main thought, show the relevance of the subject matter, and engage the reader by only one sentence. And, since we are talking about a cause-effect assignment, we should remember about meeting its purpose as well. This way, the thesis statement should also reflect the interdependence of events or phenomena that you are going to discuss and, what's important, prove throughout the writing.

In this article, we will dwell on the role of the thesis statement in the process of writing this specific type of essay. In our guide, we will discuss the main features of a strong thesis and provide you with several examples. With our recommendations, you can be confident in the highest rate for your writing assignment.

But first things first, and let us remind ourselves of the general definition of the thesis statement. It is your one main idea, a central claim of an academic paper you are working on. In cause-effect writing, this statement establishes an interconnection between a phenomenon or event and its effects. Or, it can highlight the interdependence of consequences and their reasons. Through a solid thesis statement, you clarify that the impact (effects) you focus on have particular sources (causes), or you show that the subject of the text may develop and result in a certain way and have specific outcomes. To illustrate the theory, let us consider one particular phenomenon. For instance, you have to write an essay on drug addiction. Here, a good thesis statement will claim that this issue is a cause of various problems in society. You will have to gather reliable information to prove your point. Then, the task is to arrange the details that clear any "what if's." Or, you can emphasize certain aspects of our lives that can lead to drug addiction.

Core Idea of Cause and Effect Statements

Let's recall the major aspect of thesis statement development. Are there any formal criteria that you will need to meet for preparing a relevant and clear main idea? Well, there are. Your thesis statement needs to:

• Be precise and coherent. That should be a message which you can develop and support throughout the text.
• Show an interconnection between one cause and its effects or one effect and its causes.
• Be well-organized(one sentence long). The reader should be able to understand the focus of your writing from one phrase.
• Be academically arguable. There should be space for the discussion - you cannot just provide obvious things in your topic sentence.

Now, you have recalled the specifics and requirements you need to meet for formulating a sound idea. But, applying theoretical knowledge in practice is, in many perspectives, quite a challenging task. Below, we would like to offer you several examples of good thesis statements for effect and cause assignment.

Examples of Statements for Cause and Effect Writings

Look through the following essay ideas. With the help of those, you can formulate a perfect statement for a cause-effect assignment and decide what the crucial message of your assignment will look like.

We have developed six thesis statements that are focused on different issues. Some of them emphasize the consequences, and others show the reasons for a certain phenomenon development.

There can be other claims made about various subjects, their effects, or causes - that's all about your imagination, academic specialty, and professor's requirements. But the main idea should become clear to you through these thesis statement examples. The crucial message of your essay ought to be based on a relation of a cause to its effects or vice versa. The discussion of such relationships can be conducted through different strategies, and the major thing to remember is providing relevant and trustworthy evidence. Your thesis should be academically provable through various research, experiment, and other studies. Otherwise, the entire paper cannot be assessed well.

Hopefully, this has made things a bit clearer to you. Creating a good cause and effect thesis statement is a fundamental stage of any academic writing. Without formulating such a statement, you will hardly be able to come up with a relevant assignment. The quality of that one sentence is also a significant point for grading rubrics for your essay. So, you cannot just fail at this stage.

Topics to Consider

Also, we would like to offer a few cause and effect topics for your assignment. If you don't know how to formulate a central statement for your essay, look through the prompts below - may be, some of them will inspire you to come up with a brilliant idea or theory that you are ready to prove.

• Bulling in school causes mental issues in children.
• Today's industries' philisophy ruins the reasonable perception of real beauty.
• Video-games are the reason for aggressive behavior in children and teenagers.
• The development of online marketplaces makes it easy to deceive customers.
• Low moral principles cause homelessness in the country.

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10.8 Cause and Effect

Learning objectives.

• Determine the purpose and structure of cause and effect in writing.
• Understand how to write a cause-and-effect essay.

The Purpose of Cause and Effect in Writing

It is often considered human nature to ask, “why?” and “how?” We want to know how our child got sick so we can better prevent it from happening in the future, or why our colleague a pay raise because we want one as well. We want to know how much money we will save over the long term if we buy a hybrid car. These examples identify only a few of the relationships we think about in our lives, but each shows the importance of understanding cause and effect.

A cause is something that produces an event or condition; an effect is what results from an event or condition. The purpose of the cause-and-effect essay is to determine how various phenomena relate in terms of origins and results. Sometimes the connection between cause and effect is clear, but often determining the exact relationship between the two is very difficult. For example, the following effects of a cold may be easily identifiable: a sore throat, runny nose, and a cough. But determining the cause of the sickness can be far more difficult. A number of causes are possible, and to complicate matters, these possible causes could have combined to cause the sickness. That is, more than one cause may be responsible for any given effect. Therefore, cause-and-effect discussions are often complicated and frequently lead to debates and arguments.

Use the complex nature of cause and effect to your advantage. Often it is not necessary, or even possible, to find the exact cause of an event or to name the exact effect. So, when formulating a thesis, you can claim one of a number of causes or effects to be the primary, or main, cause or effect. As soon as you claim that one cause or one effect is more crucial than the others, you have developed a thesis.

Consider the causes and effects in the following thesis statements. List a cause and effect for each one on your own sheet of paper.

• The growing childhood obesity epidemic is a result of technology.
• Much of the wildlife is dying because of the oil spill.
• The town continued programs that it could no longer afford, so it went bankrupt.
• More young people became politically active as use of the Internet spread throughout society.
• While many experts believed the rise in violence was due to the poor economy, it was really due to the summer-long heat wave.

Write three cause-and-effect thesis statements of your own for each of the following five broad topics.

• Health and nutrition

The Structure of a Cause-and-Effect Essay

The cause-and-effect essay opens with a general introduction to the topic, which then leads to a thesis that states the main cause, main effect, or various causes and effects of a condition or event.

The cause-and-effect essay can be organized in one of the following two primary ways:

• Start with the cause and then talk about the effects.
• Start with the effect and then talk about the causes.

For example, if your essay were on childhood obesity, you could start by talking about the effect of childhood obesity and then discuss the cause or you could start the same essay by talking about the cause of childhood obesity and then move to the effect.

Regardless of which structure you choose, be sure to explain each element of the essay fully and completely. Explaining complex relationships requires the full use of evidence, such as scientific studies, expert testimony, statistics, and anecdotes.

Because cause-and-effect essays determine how phenomena are linked, they make frequent use of certain words and phrases that denote such linkage. See Table 10.4 “Phrases of Causation” for examples of such terms.

Table 10.4 Phrases of Causation

The conclusion should wrap up the discussion and reinforce the thesis, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the relationship that was analyzed.

Be careful of resorting to empty speculation. In writing, speculation amounts to unsubstantiated guessing. Writers are particularly prone to such trappings in cause-and-effect arguments due to the complex nature of finding links between phenomena. Be sure to have clear evidence to support the claims that you make.

Look at some of the cause-and-effect relationships from Note 10.83 “Exercise 2” . Outline the links you listed. Outline one using a cause-then-effect structure. Outline the other using the effect-then-cause structure.

Writing a Cause-and-Effect Essay

Choose an event or condition that you think has an interesting cause-and-effect relationship. Introduce your topic in an engaging way. End your introduction with a thesis that states the main cause, the main effect, or both.

Organize your essay by starting with either the cause-then-effect structure or the effect-then-cause structure. Within each section, you should clearly explain and support the causes and effects using a full range of evidence. If you are writing about multiple causes or multiple effects, you may choose to sequence either in terms of order of importance. In other words, order the causes from least to most important (or vice versa), or order the effects from least important to most important (or vice versa).

Use the phrases of causation when trying to forge connections between various events or conditions. This will help organize your ideas and orient the reader. End your essay with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and reinforces your thesis. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample cause-and-effect essay.

Choose one of the ideas you outlined in Note 10.85 “Exercise 3” and write a full cause-and-effect essay. Be sure to include an engaging introduction, a clear thesis, strong evidence and examples, and a thoughtful conclusion.

Key Takeaways

• The purpose of the cause-and-effect essay is to determine how various phenomena are related.
• The thesis states what the writer sees as the main cause, main effect, or various causes and effects of a condition or event.

The cause-and-effect essay can be organized in one of these two primary ways:

• Start with the cause and then talk about the effect.
• Start with the effect and then talk about the cause.
• Strong evidence is particularly important in the cause-and-effect essay due to the complexity of determining connections between phenomena.
• Phrases of causation are helpful in signaling links between various elements in the essay.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How To Write Cause And Effect Essay: Writing Guide

01 Jun 2022

Understanding the mechanics of a cause-effect essay is essential for enhancing your academic writing skills. These essays require critical thinking and a solid understanding of structure and format to arrive at conclusions while discussing cause-and-effect relationships. Explore all there is to know about cause and effect writing with our guide. You’ll get an overview, from its definition to helpful tips for crafting compelling pieces.

• A cause-and-effect essay is a tool that dissects the relationship between reasons something happens and its subsequent results
• Three main methods to structure a cause-and-effect essay and practical tips for writing.
• List of essential transitions for this type of essay, outline templates, and cause-and-effect essay sample.

Furthermore, by analyzing how different factors interact and influence each other. You can write a deep comprehension of complex issues and cultivate critical thinking skills that will be valuable in various aspects of your life. So, let us dive in and discover the fascinating world of cause-and-effect essays together!

What Is a Cause and Effect Essay

The cause-and-effect essay examines how one idea, individual, or circumstance impacts another. It can uncover connections that may not be immediately apparent and provide insight into the broader implications of a situation. Formulating a compelling concluding sentence requires extensive research and a thorough understanding of how various factors interact.

It is important to note that these types of essays are complex pieces of writing that require significant effort to produce. For those needing assistance, using a professional  cause-and-effect essay writing service is more than just recommended. It can be essential for success. With their expertise in crafting high-quality academic papers, these services can ensure that your paper meets all requirements and help you earn the grade you desire.

In conclusion, it is critical to understand such essays and how to approach them skillfully. It allows you to explore  fascinating cause-and-effect essay topics in depth using this unique style of argumentation. Whether examining historical possibilities or current trends in society, such essays provide a powerful tool for gaining insight into complex issues.

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Developing the Ideal Structure for a Cause and Effect Essay

In a cause-and-effect paper, you can organize the body in various ways depending on the purpose and relatedness of causes and effects. The effects-focused approach describes multiple outcomes of a specific reason. The causes-focused method explores different factors contributing to the consequence. The causal chain method analyzes how an initial motive creates a chain reaction leading to other reasons and effects.

Regardless of the chosen method, a well-structured introduction should state the thesis statement and provide an overview. The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis while emphasizing the findings' significance. Ultimately, the goal is to explore how events or situations affect our lives by examining their underlying causes & effects.

Effects-Focused Method

The effects-focused approach examines how one effect leads to a specific cause. If you choose this method, you should describe multiple consequences of a particular occasion or situation (the selected reason) in separate body paragraphs.

This approach is suitable when a single rationale can produce several ramifications that you explore and analyze independently to provide a comprehensive insight into the overall impact. In short, an effects-focused approach allows you to showcase the full extent of how an occasion or occurrence affects its surroundings.

Causes-Focused Method

It is crucial to begin a causes-focused essay with a clear introduction that explicitly explains how one or more causes lead to a single consequence. This structure sets the tone for the writing and provides readers with a framework for understanding the evidence presented in subsequent paragraphs. Instead of secondary causes, focus on primary reasons in the introduction. So readers can better understand the significance of each piece of evidence and how they all work together to create the final result.

Causal Chain Method

We use the causal chain method when events lead to one another in a logical sequence. This cause-and-effect essay format requires you to devote each body paragraph to an event caused by the preceding event. Then, repeat, leading to the next event. The main causes should build a chain, uniting the first and the last occasion in a logical sequence that explains the cause-and-effect process.

To sum up, the most suitable format for your essay can significantly impact how effectively you convey your ideas. If you find it challenging to write a cause-and-effect essay or are facing time constraints, seek assistance from professional writers at  Papersowl.com . We offer tailored services that save time and provide customized support to meet your requirements. With our expert guidance and support, you can rest assured that your essay will succeed!

How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay

Using your outline as a guide, introduce the body of your first draft by ensuring each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that supports your thesis statement.

Choose the Topic You Like

The initial step in creating the effect essay examples is to choose a topic that captures your interest. By doing so, you can make the research process more enjoyable and stay engaged throughout the writing process.

Do Proper Research

Thorough research is crucial for well-informed cause-and-effect essays. Use reputable sources like academic journals, books, and credible websites to support your arguments and shed light on the topic's relationship. This way, you can present a compelling argument that effectively communicates the cause-and-effect relationship to your audience.

Determine Causes and Effects

Analyzing the causes & effects of a topic can help you unfold a clear thesis statement for your essay, develop the body of your work, and highlight significant results related to that one cause. It also enables a more nuanced perspective on complex issues and provides insightful analysis. Moreover, it helps identify potential solutions or areas for further research. Understanding what's causing an issue and proposing specific actions makes it easier to address it or explore new avenues.

Start With an Outline

Before delving into any cause-and-effect essay topics, create an outline to ensure your work is coherent and logically organized. Include all main ideas, especially those related to cause or effect. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific point supported by evidence and examples. Discussing potential counterarguments in your outline can strengthen your argument and anticipate objections from readers.

A concise layout ensures that your essay is easy to follow and effectively conveys your ideas to your audience. To craft an engaging introduction for your cause-and-effect essay, start by grabbing the reader's attention with a hook to set the tone for the rest of your work. It could be in the form of an interesting statistic, anecdote, or quote that relates to your topic. From there, provide some background information on the matter before presenting your thesis statement. This should clearly state the causes and effects you will discuss in your essay.

In the conclusion of your cause-effect essay, you have to summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis statement in a way that emphasizes its significance. You can also provide some final thoughts or insights on the topic, leaving the reader with something to ponder.

It is essential to ensure that your conclusion does not introduce new ideas or information but ties everything together and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. By following these tips for crafting an effective cause-and-effect essay outline, you will be well on your way to producing a compelling piece of writing. It will effectively convey your message to your audience. Let us delve into an example:

Introductory Paragraph:

• The prevalence of bullying in schools is staggering, with almost 80% of children affected by this harmful behavior. Addressing this pervasive issue requires our urgent attention and concerted efforts.
• The education system needs to understand the underlying causes of this problem and take proactive measures to address it.

Cause 1: Bullies have problems at home

• Children who experience abuse or neglect at home may act out their frustration on others.

Cause 2: Bullies seek attention

• A common trait among bullies is their tendency to exhibit aggressive behavior to gain attention and establish dominance.

Cause 3: Bullies aspire to their superiority.

• Bullies may resort to aggressive behavior to exert power and control over others. Bullying may originate from deep-seated personal insecurities, creating feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness. They may temporarily feel a sense of superiority and validation by inflicting pain on others. But this ultimately perpetuates a cycle of harm that can have lasting adverse effects on both the victim and the bully.
• Bullying undermines the educational experience for victims, leading to increased anxiety, depression, decreased academic performance, and, tragically, even suicide.

Conclusion:

To effectively tackle the widespread issue of bullying, it is crucial to gain a thorough insight into the underlying root causes. Only after that can we implement effective strategies and interventions to combat this harmful behavior and create safer environments for all. Creating safe learning environments that discourage such behavior requires joint efforts from parents, teachers, and society. By approaching the issue with compassion and insight into its underlying causes, we can significantly reduce the incidence of bullying in schools. And also prevent its negative impact on individuals' physical and mental health.

To ensure consistency throughout the essay, please adhere to the following guidelines for all body paragraphs and the paper outline:

• Times New Roman font
• Double-spacing
• Justified alignment

When structuring your essay, begin with the most significant causes. We recommended that you explore various topic ideas to identify the most compelling ones. Additionally, incorporating multiple effects is permissible. A thorough understanding of cause-and-effect papers is essential for this assignment.

Write a Draft

Using your outline as a guide, introduce your first draft. Ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that supports your cause-and-effect thesis statement .

Proofread Your Work

Finally, proofread every sentence and edit your writing for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and overall essay coherence. This ensures that your essay is well-written and ready for submission.

Follow these steps to produce an excellent cause-effect essay with compelling arguments highlighting your critical thinking and communication skills.

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Cause and Effect Structure Words

Cause-and-effect essay structure words are terms that show cause-and-effect relationships. To ensure clarity, it is essential to precisely identify the distinct causality (or reason) and the result and use appropriate transitions. It is important to remember that the cause happens first, followed by the outcome.

To follow are some common cause-and-effect structure words. "X" stands for the reasons, while "Y" indicates the outcome.

Remember that using proper structure words can help you communicate your ideas with your readers. It makes it easier for them to understand how different pieces of evidence or actions lead to specific outcomes or consequences.

Example of Cause and Effect Essay

NFT, or non-fungible tokens, have become a hot topic in the world of art, and their impact on the art industry is a cause-and-effect relationship worth exploring.

One of the main effects of NFTs on the art world is the potential for increased revenue for artists. With NFTs, artists can sell their digital art as unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that cannot be replicated, and collectors can purchase them as a form of investment. This has the potential to create a new revenue stream for artists who may have previously struggled to monetize their digital creations.

Another effect of NFTs on art is the potential for greater transparency and authenticity. Because NFTs are created on a blockchain, they provide a secure and verifiable record of ownership and provenance. This can help to reduce the risk of fraud and ensure that artists are properly credited and compensated for their work.

Moreover, the rise of NFTs has also created a new market for digital art, which was previously undervalued or dismissed as less valuable than traditional physical artwork. As a result, digital artists have gained greater recognition and respect within the art world.

However, there are also concerns about the environmental impact of NFTs. The process of creating and selling NFTs requires a significant amount of energy and contributes to carbon emissions. This has led to criticism from some artists and activists who are concerned about the impact on the environment.

Additionally, there are also concerns about the accessibility of NFTs. While they have the potential to provide a new revenue stream for artists, the high cost of purchasing and creating NFTs may exclude many artists and collectors who cannot afford to participate in this market.

In conclusion, the rise of NFTs has had a significant impact on the art world, creating new opportunities for artists to monetize their digital creations and increasing the value and recognition of digital art. However, there are also concerns about the environmental impact of NFTs and the potential exclusivity of this market. As the use of NFTs continues to grow and evolve, it is important to consider these effects and address any negative consequences to ensure a sustainable and equitable future for the art industry.

Writing a cause-and-effect essay can be challenging. It demands critical thinking skills and a comprehensive understanding of its arrangement and format. However, mastering this type of essay is crucial. It helps improve academic writing skills and enables individuals to comprehend complex issues more deeply. Choosing the appropriate structure for the paper can make all the difference in how effectively you communicate your opinion in sentences.

It is key to identify the key reasons and effects of the matter based on thorough research findings to create a clear thesis statement. With the right approach, anyone can compose high-quality cause-and-effect essays. They’ll provide valuable insights into the causal relationship between various pieces of evidence, individuals, or events.

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Cause and Effect in Composition

Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

In composition , cause and effect is a method of paragraph or essay development in which a writer analyzes the reasons for—and/or the consequences of—an action, event, or decision.

A cause-and-effect paragraph or essay can be organized in various ways. For instance, causes and/or effects can be arranged in either chronological order or reverse chronological order. Alternatively, points can be presented in terms of emphasis , from least important to most important, or vice versa.

Examples and Observations

• "If you prove the cause , you at once prove the effect ; and conversely nothing can exist without its cause." (Aristotle, Rhetoric )
• Immediate Causes and Ultimate Causes "Determining causes and effects is usually thought-provoking and quite complex. One reason for this is that there are two types of causes: immediate causes , which are readily apparent because they are closest to the effect, and ultimate causes , which, being somewhat removed, are not so apparent and may perhaps even be hidden. Furthermore, ultimate causes may bring about effects which themselves become immediate causes, thus creating a causal chain . For example, consider the following causal chain: Sally, a computer salesperson, prepared extensively for a meeting with a client (ultimate cause), impressed the client (immediate cause), and made a very large sale (effect). The chain did not stop there: the large sale caused her to be promoted by her employer (effect)." (Alfred Rosa and Paul Eschholz, Models for Writers , 6th ed. St. Martin's Press, 1998)
• Composing a Cause/Effect Essay "For all its conceptual complexity, a cause/effect essay can be organized quite simply. The introduction generally presents the subject(s) and states the purpose of the analysis in a clear thesis . The body of the paper then explores all relevant causes and/or effects, typically progressing from least to most influential or from most to least influential. Finally, the concluding section summarizes the various cause/effect relationships established in the body of the paper and clearly states the conclusions that can be drawn from those relationships." (Kim Flachmann, Michael Flachmann, Kathryn Benander, and Cheryl Smith, The Brief Prose Reader . Prentice Hall, 2003)
• Causes of Child Obesity "Many of today's kids are engaged in sedentary pursuits made possible by a level of technology unthinkable as recently as 25 to 30 years ago. Computer, video, and other virtual games, the ready availability of feature films and games on DVD, plus high-tech advancements in music-listening technology have come down into the range of affordability for parents and even for the kids themselves. These passive pursuits have produced a downside of reduced physical activity for the kids, often with the explicit or implicit consent of the parents. . . . "Other fairly recent developments have also contributed to the alarming rise in child obesity rates. Fast food outlets offering consumables that are both low in price and low in nutritional content have exploded all over the American landscape since the 1960s, especially in suburban areas close to major highway interchanges. Kids on their lunch breaks or after school often congregate in these fast food outlets, consuming food and soft drinks that are high in sugar, carbohydrates, and fat. Many parents, themselves, frequently take their children to these fast food places, thus setting an example the kids can find justification to emulate." (MacKie Shilstone, Mackie Shilstone's Body Plan for Kids . Basic Health Publications, 2009)
• Cause and Effect in Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" "'A Modest Proposal' is a brilliant example of the use of non-argumentative devices of rhetorical persuasion . The whole essay, of course, rests broadly upon the argument of cause and effect : these causes have produced this situation in Ireland, and this proposal will result in these effects in Ireland. But Swift, within the general framework of this argument, does not employ specific argumentative forms in this essay. The projector chooses rather to assert his reasons and then to amass them by way of proof ." (Charles A. Beaumont, Swift's Classical Rhetoric . Univ. of Georgia Press, 1961)
• Effects of Automobiles "I worry about the private automobile. It is a dirty, noisy, wasteful, and lonely means of travel. It pollutes the air, ruins the safety and sociability of the street, and exercises upon the individual a discipline which takes away far more freedom than it gives him. It causes an enormous amount of land to be unnecessarily abstracted from nature and from plant life and to become devoid of any natural function. It explodes cities, grievously impairs the whole institution of neighborliness, fragmentizes and destroys communities. It has already spelled the end of our cities as real cultural and social communities, and has made impossible the construction of any others in their place. Together with the airplane, it has crowded out other, more civilized and more convenient means of transport, leaving older people, infirm people, poor people and children in a worse situation than they were a hundred years ago." (George F. Kennan, Democracy and the Student Left , 1968)
• Examples and Effects of Entropy "Because of its unnerving irreversibility, entropy has been called the arrow of time. We all understand this instinctively. Children's rooms, left on their own, tend to get messy, not neat. Wood rots, metal rusts, people wrinkle and flowers wither. Even mountains wear down; even the nuclei of atoms decay. In the city we see entropy in the rundown subways and worn-out sidewalks and torn-down buildings, in the increasing disorder of our lives. We know, without asking, what is old. If we were suddenly to see the paint jump back on an old building, we would know that something was wrong. If we saw an egg unscramble itself and jump back into its shell, we would laugh in the same way we laugh as a movie run backward." (K.C. Cole, "The Arrow of Time." The New York Times , March 18, 1982)
• Writing Cause and Effect Essays for English Learners
• Development in Composition: Building an Essay
• Practice in Making a Simple Outline for a Cause & Effect Paragraph
• Cause and Effect Essay Topics
• Definition and Examples of Ethos in Classical Rhetoric
• Definition and Examples of Paragraphing in Essays
• Practice in Using Quotation Marks Correctly
• Understanding Organization in Composition and Speech
• How to Teach Topic Sentences Using Models
• What an Essay Is and How to Write One
• 50 Cause and Effect Journal Prompts
• 67 Causal Essay Topics to Consider
• Hookers vs. Chasers: How Not to Begin an Essay
• What Is Expository Writing?
• How to Structure an Essay
• Definition and Examples of Analysis in Composition

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How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay Properly

Did you know that the butterfly effect, a concept from chaos theory, suggests that the flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil could set off a tornado in Texas? While this idea may seem whimsical, it underscores the profound interconnectedness of events in our world. In much the same way, crafting a cause and effect essay is about tracing these interconnected threads, connecting dots, and revealing the hidden relationships that shape our experiences.

How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay: Short Description

In this detailed guide, our paper writing service experts will take a close look at the intriguing concept of causality and provide you with practical advice for crafting excellent cause and effect essay examples. These essays won't just give information but will also leave a lasting impression on your readers. Whether you're exploring the realms of science or examining the complexities of our society, join us on this journey as we reveal the key elements for mastering a compelling structure of a cause and effect essay.

Cause and Effect Definition in Essays

What is a cause and effect essay? To truly understand this fundamental concept, we must delve deeper into the intricate web of interconnections that shape our world, all while honing our critical thinking skills. At its core, cause, and effect encapsulates the idea that every action, event, or phenomenon is not isolated but rather part of a vast network of relationships, where each element exerts its influence, creating a ripple effect that resonates through time and space.

To define cause and effect, we must go beyond recognizing simple relationships, as it involves deciphering the subtle mechanisms that drive these connections. It's akin to peering beneath the surface of a calm pond and discovering the currents that stir beneath. In essence, it's the exploration of why things happen and the exploration of the repercussions that follow.

Imagine a stone cast into that tranquil pond: the cause. As it strikes the water's surface, it sends ripples outward, affecting the entire pond. The expanding ripples symbolize the effect, demonstrating how a single action can set off a chain reaction, altering the course of events. This is the essence of causality—a perpetual dance of actions and reactions where nothing occurs in isolation.

Cause and Effect Essay Examples

To help you grasp cause and effect essay writing with clarity, we have prepared two distinct essay examples that will guide you through the intricacies of both block and chain structures. Additionally, should you ever find yourself requiring assistance with academic writing or descriptive essays examples , simply send us your ' write my research paper ' request. Our expert writers are here to provide the support you need!

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How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay with Easy Steps

Crafting compelling cause and effect paragraph examples involves a systematic approach. Follow these ten valuable steps to navigate the intricacies of writing a thought-provoking essay that explores the web of causality.

1. Select a Focused Topic

• Choose a specific cause and effect relationship that piques your interest.

2. Dig for Causal Links

• Research thoroughly to uncover hidden connections and evidence.

3. Create a Clear Thesis

• Craft a precise thesis statement to guide your essay's direction.

4. Organize Chronologically

• Structure your essay in a logical, time-based order for clarity.

5. Utilize Transition Words

• Employ transitional phrases for smooth transitions between causes and effects.

6. Support with Evidence

• Back your claims with credible data, examples, and statistics.

7. Show Chain Reactions

• Reveal how one cause can trigger multiple effects, and vice versa.

8. Analyze Root Causes

• Go beyond surface-level explanations to explore underlying factors.

9. Consider Alternative Causes

• Address counterarguments to strengthen your essay's credibility.

10. Conclude with Impact

• Summarize key points and emphasize the broader significance of your analysis.

Cause and Effect Essay Structure: 2 Common Types

When organizing your essay, you have various structural approaches at your disposal. Let's explore two commonly used types of a cause and effect essay structure:

• Block Structure

The block structure is a straightforward and organized way to present the causes and effects in a cause and effect essay. In this approach, you first dedicate one section to discussing all the causes, including multiple causes within each category, and then another section to explore all the effects. This clear separation provides a distinct and easily digestible presentation of your ideas.

When employing the block structure, you can delve deeply into each category, thoroughly examining the causes and effects separately. This approach is particularly useful when you want to offer in-depth analysis and emphasize the significance of each aspect of the causal relationship. It allows your readers to grasp the full scope of each element before moving on to the next.

• Chain Structure

In contrast, the chain structure in cause and effect essays emphasizes the interconnected nature of events and their ripple effects. This approach showcases how one cause leads to a specific effect, which then becomes the cause of subsequent effects in a continuous chain. It's a powerful way to illustrate the complexity and depth of causal relationships.

The chain structure can be particularly effective when you want to emphasize the sequence of events or when you're dealing with intricate cause-and-effect scenarios. It allows you to demonstrate how actions set off a series of reactions, highlighting the domino effect that ultimately leads to a particular outcome.

Regardless of the structural style you choose, if you require assistance with your academic paper, reach out to us with your ' write my paper for me ' request. Our experienced team is ready to tailor your paper to your specific requirements and ensure its excellence.

Cause and Effect Essay Outline

Creating an effective cause and effect essay begins with a well-structured outline. This roadmap helps you organize your thoughts, maintain a logical flow, and ensure that your essay effectively conveys the causal relationships between events. Below, we'll outline the key components of the essay along with examples:

I. Introduction

• Hook: Start with an engaging statement or fact. Example: 'Did you know that stress can significantly impact your overall health?'
• Background Information: Provide context for your topic. Example: 'In today's fast-paced world, stress has become an increasingly prevalent issue.'
• Thesis Statement: Clearly state the main cause and its corresponding effects. Example: 'This essay will explore the causes of stress and their profound negative effects on physical and mental health.'

II. Body Paragraphs

• Topic Sentence: Introduce the first cause you'll discuss. Example: 'One major cause of stress is heavy workload.'
• Supporting Details: Provide evidence and examples to support the cause. Example: 'For instance, individuals juggling multiple job responsibilities and tight deadlines often experience heightened stress levels.'
• Transition: Link to the next cause or move on to the effects.
• Topic Sentence: Introduce the first effect. Example: 'The effects of chronic stress on physical health can be devastating.'
• Supporting Details: Present data or examples illustrating the impact. Example: 'Studies have shown that prolonged stress can lead to cardiovascular problems, including hypertension and heart disease.'
• Transition: Connect to the next effect or cause.

C. Causes (Continued)

• Topic Sentence: Introduce the next cause in a new cause and effect paragraph. Example: 'Another significant cause of stress is financial strain.'
• Supporting Details: Explain how this cause manifests and its implications. Example: 'Financial instability often results in anxiety, as individuals worry about bills, debts, and their financial future.'
• Transition: Prepare to discuss the corresponding effects.

D. Effects (Continued)

• Topic Sentence: Discuss the effects related to financial strain. Example: 'The psychological effects of financial stress can be profound.'
• Supporting Details: Offer real-life examples or psychological insights. Example: 'Depression and anxiety are common consequences of constant financial worries, affecting both mental well-being and daily life.'

III. Conclusion

• Restate Thesis: Summarize the main cause and effects. Example: 'In summary, the heavy workload and financial strain can lead to stress, impacting both physical and mental health.'
• Closing Thoughts: Reflect on the broader significance of your analysis. Example: 'Understanding these causal relationships emphasizes the importance of stress management and financial planning in maintaining a balanced and healthy life.'

Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Selecting the right topic involves recognizing cause and effect key words that can serve as a gateway to crafting an engaging and impactful essay. In this section, we present 10 unique and thought-provoking topics that offer you the opportunity to explore fascinating relationships and their profound consequences:

• The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Decision-Making : Explore how a lack of sleep influences our ability to make sound decisions and its effects on daily life.
• The Effect of Fast Fashion on Environmental Degradation : Investigate how the fast fashion industry's practices contribute to environmental pollution and resource depletion.
• The Link Between Childhood Imagination and Creative Problem-Solving in Adulthood : Analyze how childhood imaginative play influences an individual's problem-solving skills in later life.
• The Causal Relationship Between Smartphone Dependency and Decreased Face-to-Face Communication : Examine how excessive smartphone use affects interpersonal relationships and face-to-face communication.
• The Effects of Food Additives on Human Health : Delve into the health consequences of common food additives and preservatives in our diets.
• The Influence of Art Education on Academic Performance : Investigate whether participation in art programs positively impacts students' overall academic achievements.
• The Butterfly Effect in Global Economics : Explore how a seemingly minor economic event in one country can have widespread international economic repercussions.
• The Connection Between Early Exposure to Nature and Environmental Stewardship : Analyze how childhood experiences in nature influence an individual's commitment to environmental conservation.
• The Impact of Music on Mood and Emotional Well-being : Examine how different types of music can affect our emotional states and overall mental health.
• The Ripple Effect of Positive Acts of Kindness : Investigate how small acts of kindness can lead to a chain reaction of positivity in society.

Final Considerations

In conclusion, a firm grasp of the cause and effect essay definition, along with mastery of the writing process, empowers you to systematically reveal the complex web of causality in diverse subjects. With this step-by-step guide, you are not only equipped to inform, engage, and inspire your readers but also adept at navigating the art of structured and impactful storytelling. If you prefer a reaction paper example , rest assured we have you covered as well. So, seize this opportunity, put your thoughts on paper logically, and witness your essays leaving a lasting and influential mark.

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Cause & effect essays Aka reason and result

The Cause and effect essay is another common essay type, either as an essay type on its own, or as part of a larger essay which includes one or more paragraphs examining causes and effects. This page gives information on what a cause and effect essay is , how to structure this type of essay, and how to use cause and effect structure words (transition signals) for this type of essay. There is also an example cause and effect essay on the topic of women at work, as well as some exercises to help you practice this area.

What are cause & effect essays?

For another look at the same content, check out YouTube » or Youku » , or this infographic » .

A cause and effect essay looks at the reasons (or causes) for something, then discusses the results (or effects). For this reason, cause and effect essays are sometimes referred to as reason and result essays. They are one of the most common forms of organisation in academic writing. Sometimes the whole essay will be cause and effect, though sometimes this may be only part of the whole essay. It is also possible, especially for short exam essays, that only the causes or the effects, not both, are discussed. See the examples below.

• Discuss the causes and effects of global warming ['cause and effect' essay]
• Explain the high death rate in Chernobyl ['causes' only essay]
• Discuss the WTO and its effects on the Chinese economy ['effects' only essay]

There are two main ways to structure a cause and effect essay. These are similar to the ways to structure problem-solution essays , namely using a block or a chain structure. For the block structure, all of the causes are listed first, and all of the effects are listed afterwards. For the chain structure, each cause is followed immediately by the effect. Usually that effect will then be the cause of the next effect, which is why this structure is called 'chain'. Both types of structure have their merits. The former is generally clearer, especially for shorter essays, while the latter ensures that any effects you present relate directly to the causes you have given.

The two types of structure, block and chain , are shown in the diagram below.

Cause and Effect Structure Words

Cause and effect structure words are transition signals which show the cause and effect relationships. It is important to be clear which is the cause (or reason) and which is the effect (or result), and to use the correct transition word or phrase. Remember that a cause happens first , and the effect happens later .

Below are some common cause and effect structure words. X is used to indicate a cause, while Y is used to indicate the effect.

• The first cause of (Y) is (X)
• The next reason is (X)
• Because of (X), (Y)
• As a result of (X), (Y)
• As a consequence of (X), (Y)
• because/since/as (X)
• to result from (X)
• (X) results in (Y)
• to be the result of (X)
• (Y) is due to (X)
• Owing to (X), (Y)
• (Y) is because of (X)
• (Y) is the effect of (X)
• (Y) is the consequence of (X)
• Worsening pollution levels in cities are due to the increased use of cars.
• Because of the increased use of cars, pollution levels in cities are worsening.
• As a result of the increased use of cars, pollution levels in cities are worsening.
• The effect of the increased use of cars is a worsening of pollution levels in cities.
• The first effect of (X) is (Y)
• Another result of (X) is (Y)
• As a result, (Y)
• As a consequence, (Y)
• Consequently (Y)
• Therefore, (Y)
• (X) causes (Y)
• (X) has an effect on (Y)
• (X) affects (Y)
• (X) is one of the causes of (Y)
• (X) is the reason for (Y)
• Cars are used increasingly for urban transport. As a consequence , pollution levels in cities are worsening.
• Increased use of cars for urban transport adversely affects pollution levels in cities.
• Increased use of cars for urban transport is one of the causes of worsening pollution levels in cities.

Example essay

Below is a cause and effect essay. This essay uses the block structure . Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay, i.e. Causes, Effects, and structure words. This will highlight not simply the paragraphs, but also the thesis statement and summary , as these repeat the causes and effects contained in the main body.

Title: More and more women are now going out to work and some women are now the major salary earner in the family. What are the causes of this, and what effect is this having on families and society?

In the past, most women stayed at home to take care of domestic chores such as cooking or cleaning. Women's liberation and feminism have meant that this situation has been transformed and in contemporary society women are playing an almost equal role to men in terms of work. This has had significant consequences , both in terms of the family , for example by improving quality of life and increasing children's sense of independence , and also for society itself with greater gender equality . The main reasons behind the increase of women in the workplace are women's liberation and feminism. The women's liberation movement originated in the 1960s and was popularised by authors such as Simone de Beauvoir. As a consequence of this, new legislation emerged, granting women equal rights to men in many fields, in particular employment. Because of feminist ideas, men have taken up roles which were previously seen as being for women only, most importantly those related to child rearing. As a result of this, women have more time to pursue their own careers and interests. These have led to some significant effects, both to family life and to society as a whole. Although the earning capacity of a woman in her lifetime is generally much less than that of a man, she can nevertheless make a significant contribution to the family income. The most important consequence of this is an improved quality of life. By helping to maintain a steady income for the family, the pressure on the husband is considerably reduced, hence improving both the husband's and the wife's emotional wellbeing. Additionally, the purchasing power of the family will also be raised. This means that the family can afford more luxuries such as foreign travel and a family car. A further effect on the family is the promotion of independence in the children. Some might argue that having both parents working might be damaging to the children because of a lack of parental attention. However, such children have to learn to look after themselves at an earlier age, and their parents often rely on them to help with the housework. This therefore teaches them important life skills. As regards society, the most significant impact of women going to work is greater gender equality. There are an increasing number of women who are becoming politicians, lawyers, and even CEOs and company managers. This in turn has led to greater equality for women in all areas of life, not just employment. For example, women today have much stronger legal rights to protect themselves against domestic violence and sexual discrimination in the workplace. In conclusion, the increasing number of women at work has brought about some important changes to family life, including improved quality of life and increased independence for children, as well as affecting society itself. It is clear that the sexes are still a long way from being equal in all areas of life, however, and perhaps the challenge for the present century is to ensure that this takes place.

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Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.

Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).

Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.

Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).

Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.

Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.

Cause and Effect Essay Outline: Types, Examples and Writing Tips

20 June, 2020

9 minutes read

Author:  Tomas White

This is a complete guide on writing cause and effect essays. Find a link to our essay sample at the end. Let's get started!

What is a Cause and Effect Essay?

A cause and effect essay is the type of paper that the author is using to analyze the causes and effects of a particular action or event. A curriculum usually includes this type of exercise to test your ability to understand the logic of certain events or actions.

If you can see the logic behind cause and effect in the world around you, you will encounter fewer problems when writing. If not, writing this kind of paper will give you the chance to improve your skillset and your brain’s ability to reason.

“Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

In this article, the  Handmade Writing team will find out how to create an outline for your cause and effect essay – the key to successful essay writing.

Types of the Cause and Effect Essay

Before writing this kind of essay, you need to draft the structure. A good structure will result in a good paper, so it’s important to have a plan before you start. But remember , there’s no need to reinvent the wheel: just about every type of structure has already been formulated by someone.

If you are still unsure about the definition of an essay, you can take a look at our guide:  What is an Essay?

Generally speaking, there are three types of cause and effect essays. We usually differentiate them by the number of and relationships between the different causes and the effects. Let’s take a quick look at these three different cases:

1. Many causes, one effect

This kind of essay illustrates how different causes can lead to one effect. The idea here is to try and examine a variety of causes, preferably ones that come from different fields, and prove how they contributed to a particular effect. If you are writing about World War I, for example, mention the political, cultural, and historical factors that led to the great war.

By examining a range of fundamental causes, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge about the topic.

Here is how to structure this type of essay:

• Introduction
• Cause #3 (and so on…)
• The effect of the causes

2. One cause, many effects

This type of cause and effect essay is constructed to show the various effects of a particular event, problem, or decision. Once again, you will have to demonstrate your comprehensive knowledge and analytical mastery of the field. There is no need to persuade the reader or present your argument . When writing this kind of essay, in-depth knowledge of the problem or event’s roots will be of great benefit. If you know why it happened, it will be much easier to write about its effects.

Here is the structure for this kind of essay:

• Effect #3 (and so on…)

3. Chain of causes and effects

This is the most challenging type. You need to maintain a chain of logic that demonstrates a sequence of actions and consequences, leading to the end of the chain. Although this is usually the most interesting kind of cause and effect essay, it can also be the most difficult to write.

Here is the outline structure:

• Effect #1 = Cause #2
• Effect #2 = Cause #3
• Effect #3 = Cause #4 (and so on…)

Cause and Effect Essay Outline Example

Let’s take a look at an example. Below, you will find an outline for the topic “The causes of obesity” (Type 1) :

As you can see, we used a blended strategy here. When writing about the ever-increasing consumption of unhealthy food, it is logical to talk about the marketing strategies that encourage people to buy fast food. If you are discussing fitness trainers, it is important to mention that people need to be checked by a doctor more often, etc.

In case you face some issues with writing your Cause and Effect essay, you can always count on our Essay Writers !

How do I start writing once I have drafted the structure?

If you start by structuring each paragraph and collecting suitable examples, the writing process will be much simpler. The final essay might not come up as a classic five paragraph essay – it all depends on the cause-effect chain and the number of statements of your essay.

In the Introduction, try to give the reader a general idea of what the cause and effect essay will contain. For an experienced reader, a thesis statement will be an indication that you know what you are writing about. It is also important to emphasize how and why this problem is relevant to modern life. If you ever need to write about the Caribbean crisis, for instance, state that the effects of the Cold War are still apparent in contemporary global politics. 

Related Post: How to write an Essay introduction | How to write a Thesis statement

In the Body, provide plenty of details about what causes led to the effects. Once again, if you have already assembled all the causes and effects with their relevant examples when writing your plan, you shouldn’t have any problems. But, there are some things to which you must pay particular attention. To begin with, try to make each paragraph the same length: it looks better visually. Then, try to avoid weak or unconvincing causes. This is a common mistake, and the reader will quickly realize that you are just trying to write enough characters to reach the required word count.

Moreover, you need to make sure that your causes are actually linked to their effects. This is particularly important when you write a “chained” cause and effect essay (type 3) . You need to be able to demonstrate that each cause was actually relevant to the final result. As I mentioned before, writing the Body without preparing a thorough and logical outline is often an omission.

The Conclusion must be a summary of the thesis statement that you proposed in the Introduction. An effective Conclusion means that you have a well-developed understanding of the subject. Notably, writing the Conclusion can be one of the most challenging parts of this kind of project. You typically write the Conclusion once you have finished the Body, but in practice, you will sometimes find that a well-written conclusion will reveal a few mistakes of logic in the body!

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24 Cause and Effect

It is often considered human nature to ask, “why?” and “how?” We want to know how our child got sick so we can better prevent it from happening in the future, or why our colleague received a pay raise because we want one as well. We want to know how much money we will save over the long term if we buy a hybrid car. These examples identify only a few of the relationships we think about in our lives, but each shows the importance of understanding cause and effect.

A cause is something that produces an event or condition; an effect is what results from an event or condition. The purpose of the  cause-and-effect essay  is to determine how various phenomena relate in terms of origins and results. Sometimes the connection between cause and effect is clear, but often determining the exact relationship between the two is very difficult. For example, the following effects of a cold may be easily identifiable: a sore throat, a runny nose, and a cough. But, determining the cause of the sickness can be far more difficult. A number of causes are possible, and to complicate matters, these possible causes could have combined to cause the sickness. That is, more than one cause may be responsible for any given effect. Therefore, cause-and-effect discussions are often complicated and frequently lead to debates and arguments.

Use the complex nature of cause and effect to your advantage. Often it is not necessary, or even possible, to find the exact cause of an event or to name the exact effect. So, when formulating a thesis, you can claim one of a number of causes or effects to be the primary, or main, cause or effect. As soon as you claim that one cause or one effect is more crucial than the others, you have developed a thesis.

Consider the causes and effects in the following thesis statements. Identify whether each statement is identifying a cause or an effect. Then, list a cause and effect for each one on your own sheet of paper.

• The growing childhood obesity epidemic is a result of technology.
• Much of the wildlife is dying because of the oil spill.
• The town continued programs that it could no longer afford, so it went bankrupt.
• More young people became politically active as use of the Internet spread throughout society.
• While many experts believed the rise in violence was because of the poor economy, it was really because of the summer-long heat wave.

Write three cause-and-effect thesis statements of your own for each of the following five broad topics.

• Health and nutrition

The Structure of a Cause-and-Effect Essay

The cause-and-effect essay opens with a general introduction to the topic, which then leads to a thesis that states the main cause, main effect, or various causes and effects of a condition or event.

The cause-and-effect essay can be organized in one of the following two primary ways:

• Start with the cause and then write about the effects.
• Start with the effect and then write about the causes.

For example, if your essay were on childhood obesity, you could start by talking about the effect of childhood obesity and then discuss the cause or you could start the same essay by writing about the cause of childhood obesity and then move to the effect.

Regardless of which structure you choose, be sure to explain each element of the essay fully and completely. Explaining complex relationships requires the full use of evidence, such as scientific studies, expert testimony, statistics, and anecdotes.

Because cause-and-effect essays determine how phenomena are linked, they make frequent use of certain words and phrases that denote such linkage. See the table below for examples of such terms.

Phrases of Causation

• as a result
• consequently

The conclusion should wrap up the discussion and reinforce the thesis, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the relationship that was analyzed.

Be careful of resorting to empty speculation. In writing, speculation amounts to unsubstantiated guessing. Writers are particularly prone to such trappings in cause-and-effect arguments because of the complex nature of finding links between phenomena. Be sure to have clear evidence to support the claims that you make.

Look at some of the cause-and-effect relationships from Exercise 1. Outline the links you listed. Outline one using a cause-then-effect structure. Outline the other using the effect-then-cause structure.

Writing a Cause-and-Effect Essay

Choose an event or condition that you think has an interesting cause-and-effect relationship. Introduce your topic in an engaging way. End your introduction with a thesis that states the main cause, the main effect, or both.

Organize your essay by starting with either the cause-then-effect structure or the effect-then-cause structure. Within each section, you should clearly explain and support the causes and effects using a full range of evidence. If you are writing about multiple causes or multiple effects, you may choose to sequence either in terms of  order of importance . In other words, order the causes from least to most important (or vice versa), or order the effects from least important to most important (or vice versa).

Use the phrases of causation when trying to forge connections between various events or conditions. This will help organize your ideas and orient the reader. End your essay by drawing a conclusion based on the information presented. You may find it helpful to think of the conclusion as an answer to the question: “so what” or as a continuation of the statement “and so. . . “. In some cases, may be appropriate to issue a call to action in your essay’s conclusion.

Choose a local issue or topic that concerns you. Examine both the causes and effects of this issue or topic, and write a paragraph that outlines these using the components of a cause and effect essay.

Assignment 1

Choose one of the ideas you outlined in Exercise 3 and write a full cause-and-effect essay. Be sure to include an engaging introduction, a clear thesis, strong evidence and examples, and a thoughtful conclusion.

Key Takeaways

The purpose of the cause-and-effect essay is to determine how various phenomena are related.

• The thesis states what the writer sees as the main cause, main effect, or various causes and effects of a condition or event.
• Start with the cause and then write about the effect.
• Start with the effect and then write about the cause.
• Strong evidence is particularly important in the cause-and-effect essay because of the complexity of determining connections between phenomena.
• Phrases of causation are helpful in signaling links between various elements in the essay.

Cause and Effect Essay Example

Effects of Video Game Addiction

By Scott McLean

Video game addition is a serious problem in many parts of the world today and deserves more attention. It is no secret that children and adults in many countries throughout the world, including Japan, China, and the United States, play video games every day. Most players are able to limit their usage in ways that do not interfere with their daily lives, but many others have developed an addiction to playing video games and suffer detrimental effects.

An addiction can be described in several ways, but generally speaking, addictions involve unhealthy attractions to substances or activities that ultimately disrupt the ability of a person to keep up with regular daily responsibilities. Video game addiction typically involves playing games uncontrollably for many hours at a time—some people will play only four hours at a time while others cannot stop for over twenty-four hours. Regardless of the severity of the addiction, many of the same effects will be experienced by all.

One common effect of video game addiction is isolation and withdrawal from social experiences. Video game players often hide in their homes or in Internet cafés for days at a time—only reemerging for the most pressing tasks and necessities. The effect of this isolation can lead to a breakdown of communication skills and often a loss in socialization. While it is true that many games, especially massive multiplayer online games, involve a very real form of e-based communication and coordination with others, and these virtual interactions often result in real communities that can be healthy for the players, these communities and forms of communication rarely translate to the types of valuable social interaction that humans need to maintain typical social functioning. As a result, the social networking in these online games often gives the users the impression that they are interacting socially, while their true social lives and personal relations may suffer.

Another unfortunate product of the isolation that often accompanies video game addiction is the disruption of the user’s career. While many players manage to enjoy video games and still hold their jobs without problems, others experience challenges at their workplace. Some may only experience warnings or demerits as a result of poorer performance, or others may end up losing their jobs altogether. Playing video games for extended periods of time often involves sleep deprivation, and this tends to carry over to the workplace, reducing production and causing habitual tardiness.

Video game addiction may result in a decline in overall health and hygiene. Players who interact with video games for such significant amounts of time can go an entire day without eating and even longer without basic hygiene tasks, such as using the restroom or bathing. The effects of this behavior pose significant danger to their overall health.

The causes of video game addiction are complex and can vary greatly, but the effects have the potential to be severe. Playing video games can and should be a fun activity for all to enjoy. But just like everything else, the amount of time one spends playing video games needs to be balanced with personal and social responsibilities.

External Links

“ Women in Science ” (https://tinyurl.com/y8pggr7g) by K.C. Cole. The link to the essay is correct. It seems to be titled “Hers” but it is the correct essay.

“ Cultural Baggage ” (https://tinyurl.com/yc7qeuyp) by Barbara Ehrenreich.

Robin Tolmach Lakoff discusses the power of language to dehumanize in “ From Ancient Greece to Iraq: The Power of Words in Wartime”  (https://tinyurl.com/y76bt3ah).

Alan Weisman examines the human impact on the planet and its effects in “ Earth without People ” ( https://tinyurl.com/mswazr ).

Attributions

Content taken from Chapter 5 – Rhetorical Modes  by Jenifer Kurtz is licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

English 101: Journey Into Open Copyright © 2021 by Christine Jones is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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How to Write a Cause & Effect Essay: Examples, Outline, & Tips

You don’t need to be a nerd to understand the general idea behind cause and effect essays. Let’s see! If you skip a meal, you get hungry. And if you write an essay about it, your goal is achieved!

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However, following multiple rules of academic writing can be a tough task. But don’t worry; this guide can help you finish your cause and effect writing assignment on time and with little to no stress. By the end of this article by Custom-Writing.org experts, you will know the structure and variations of this essay type. Long story short, it’s a full guide on how to write a cause and effect essay (with examples!).

❓ What Is a Cause and Effect Essay?

✍️ how to write a cause and effect essay.

• 💡 Choose Your Topic
• 🎓 Create a Thesis Statement
• 📑 Outline Your Essay
• 📝 Develop the Paragraphs
• 👀 Essay Examples

🔗 References

A cause and effect essay’s main focus is to work through the relationship between two events . Specifically, it highlights how one event leads to the second one. The writing structure changes depending on the ratio of causes to effects that you choose. Read the examples below for more detail.

As mentioned, this article can be considered the ultimate guide to writing a perfect cause and effect essay. It consists of smooth and clear instructions with examples.

• First, it tells you how to choose a suitable topic. This is vital as it becomes the foundation for your essay.
• Then, there is some information on how to choose the outline that is appropriate for your essay’s primary focus.
• Finally, you will learn what language you should use to hit the best score! It concludes with a cause and effect essay sample, which you may use as an example.

💡 Choose Your Cause and Effect Essay Topic

In order to find a good topic for your cause and effect essay, you should choose what to focus on: the causes or the effects? Not only does the whole structure of your paper depend on it, but you also need to pick a suitable topic based on that decision. Let’s see how the topic would change depending on the focus.

Cause & Effect Essay Topics

• How does noise pollution affect your physical and mental health? 
• What were the main reasons of the Great Depression ?  
• What does a high sugar consumption do to our health?  
• The impact of social media on children’s mantal health.  
• Reasons and effect of gender segregation in the labor market.  
• What induces people to take drugs ?  
• The main reasons for parking shortage in big cities .  
• How can regular exercises add to our physical and mental wellbeing?  
• How did World War II affect social and political structure of the world?  
• The main factors that caused the global poverty .  

🎓 Create a Cause and Effect Thesis Statement

The best cause and effect essays also have a well-prepared thesis statement . Generally, the thesis statement would point out your point of view and your essay’s main ideas. Here, however, you should also not forget to highlight whether the focus is on causes or effects. You can use a thesis statement generator for essay to speed up the creation process. For instance, this statement highlights the effects of daily walks, states that the author supports this idea, and presents one thing that causes three effects:

Walking for at least half an hour every day can bring numerous positive benefits for your health: it improves blood circulation, strengthens joints, and helps with weight loss.

📑 Outline Your Cause and Effect Essay

Like the topic, your cause and effect essay outline is affected by your writing focus. The structure depends on how many relations you choose to highlight. For instance, there may be only one leading cause or multiple. The same is with effects. Moreover, there is one additional type.

Many Causes, One Effect

In this kind of essay, you would focus on discussing as many related causes as you can think of. An additional advantage would be if you could select various causes from different areas. But remember to prove that they all lead to one effect.

This cause and effect essay structure reflects the general outline you are used to (remember that conclusion is usually a paraphrase of a thesis statement from the introduction).

Many Causes, One Effect Essay Outline Example

1. Introduction

1.1. Thesis statement: Bullying begins with personal desires or family issues and leads to increased numbers of suffering children.

2. Main body

2.1. Cause 1: Bullies want to be noticed.

2.2. Cause 2: They want to feel superior.

2.3. Cause 3: There are issues at home.

2.4. Effect: Many innocent kids become victims of bullying.

3. Conclusion

One Cause, Many Effects

The outline of this type of essay would look a lot like the previous one, except that the ratio of causes and effects is mirrored. You should be quite competent in the topic you’re working on to produce a quality essay.

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One Cause, Many Effects Essay Outline Example

1.1. Thesis Statement: Overusing social media can lead to adverse psychological and emotional effects.

2.1. Cause: Spending too much time on social media, watching other users’ lives.

2.2. Effect 1: Users become more self-conscious about their appearance or quality of life.

2.3. Effect 2: It takes up time that could have been used for more useful activities.

2.3. Effect 3: Real-life relationships and other commitments suffer.

Cause-Effect Chain

It may be more challenging than the other essays. The structure of this type of writing reflects a chain reaction. The effect of the initial cause leads to another cause and effect cycle. You will need to be careful and very attentive in order to maintain the logical order.

1.1. Thesis Statement: Through the chain of causes and effects, it can be observed that the use of hair spray may lead to a global catastrophe.

2.1. Cause and effect chain #1: Chlorofluorocarbons were used to make hairsprays 50 years ago, but they are harmful to the ozone layer – some of them are still in the atmosphere ruining ozone molecules.

2.2. Cause and effect chain #2: Less ozone layer causes icebergs to melt faster.

2.3. Cause and effect chain #3. Melting ice causes the sea level to rise and flood the land.

📝 Develop Your Cause and Effect Paragraphs

Since we are talking about academic writing here, it’s essential to keep your language appropriate. The most commonly used word, in this case, is “because .” However, you shouldn’t overuse it.

There are quite a few ready-to-use phrases that are most suitable for this type of essay. Include these in your cause and effect paragraphs to make the transition between ideas smoother and your writing more coherent:

• As a consequence, …
• It leads to…
• (The cause) results in / causes / influences (the effect)
• The key factors are…
• One of the results is…
• The primary effect of (the cause) is…

Don’t forget to use sentence connectors, such as:

• In addition
• Furthermore
• Consequently

After completing the first draft, you should proofread your writing and carefully check that there are no sentence fragments, like this:

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Because I haven’t slept in two days before the exam.

Sometimes, rushing through the writing process may lead your thoughts astray, and you leave the ending of the sentence unfinished. However, it’s a severe mistake, so try to avoid it.

In addition, you should not mix the verb tenses. If you are describing a past event, stick to the past tense. Of course, it may depend on the situation. For instance, the present tense is used to talk about universal truth, while different tenses can be used for writing a report.

👀 Cause and Effect Essay Examples

We have gone step by step through the process of writing a good cause and effect essay. Now, finally, you can check out how it should look altogether. The following writing follows the template of the outline about bullying that we introduced earlier. It has all the necessary elements, such as the structure, vocabulary, and the thesis statement highlighted. It is a great example of a cause and effect essay, so go ahead and read it through!

Bullying in Schools (Cause & Effect Essay Sample)

Want more samples? We’ve got you covered! Here’s a bonus list of cause and effect essay examples.

• Causes and Effects of Divorce
• Causes and Effects of Drug Addiction
• Sophocles’ Antigone: Cause & Effect Essay
• Child Abuse and Health of Nation: Cause & Effect
• Cause and Effect: Living with Pets Improves Their Owners’ Health
• American Society Police Brutality Causes and Effects
• Civil War in the US: Causes and Effects
• Causes and Effects of Fast-Food Addiction
• Diabetes: Causes and Effects of Disease
• Tsunamis in Australia: Causes and Adverse Effects
• Cause-and-effect | Definition of Cause-and-effect at Dictionary.com
• Causes and Effects – Harvard Business Review
• Cause and effect | Nature Methods
• Cause and Effect – SAGE Research Methods
• Cause and Effect in Epidemiology | SpringerLink
• Patterns in the Landscape – Analyses of Cause and Effect
• Cause and Effect Diagram – Clinical Excellence Commission
• Explaining Causality – Academic Phrasebank
• Cause and Effect Essay Examples (Your Dictionary)
• Cause and Effect – Writing for Success
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How To Write A Cause And Effect Essay: Topics, Structure, Examples

If you're a student, chances are you'll encounter a cause and effect essay during your studies. This type of essay is all about exploring the relationship between a specific event (the cause) and its outcomes (the effects). But don't worry, we've got you covered with this easy-to-follow guide that breaks down everything you need to know about what is cause and effect essay and the steps for writing it. So get set to dive into the fascinating world of cause and effect as we equip you with the skills to ace this writing task like a pro!

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What is a Cause and Effect Essay: Unique Characteristics from Other Essays

A cause and effect essay is a unique type of essay that focuses on examining the reasons (causes) behind an event or phenomenon and the resulting consequences (effects) that occur as a result. What sets it apart from other essays is its emphasis on establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship between two or more variables.

In a cause and effect essay, the writer analyzes and explains the connections between the causes and effects, providing evidence and supporting details to illustrate the relationship. This type of essay requires critical thinking, logical reasoning, and a structured approach to present the causal chain effectively.

Unlike descriptive or narrative essays that focus on storytelling or presenting facts, cause and effect essays delve into the underlying causes and explore the outcomes, aiming to inform and educate the reader about the relationships between different factors.

Different Types of Cause and Effect Essay Structure

A cause and effect essay is a type of academic writing that explores the reasons (causes) and outcomes (effects) of a particular event, situation, or phenomenon. It aims to analyze the relationship between these causes and effects, providing a comprehensive understanding of how one factor leads to another. When structuring a cause and effect essay, there are several approaches you can take. Here are three common types of cause and effect essay structure from our write my essay experts:

• Block Structure:
• Introduction: Introduce the topic and provide background information.
• Body Paragraph 1: Present the causes and their supporting details.
• Body Paragraph 2: Discuss the effects and provide evidence or examples.
• Conclusion: Summarize the main points and emphasize the overall significance.
• Chain Structure:
• Introduction: Introduce the topic and its importance.
• Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph focuses on a specific cause and its subsequent effects, forming a chain-like progression.
• Cause 1: Explain the first cause and its effects.
• Cause 2: Describe the second cause and its effects, which may also include the effects of Cause 1.
• Cause 3: Discuss the third cause and its effects, which may include the effects of Causes 1 and 2.

Continue this pattern for additional causes if necessary.

• Conclusion: Summarize the main causes and effects, highlighting their interconnections.
• Causal Chain Structure:
• Introduction: Introduce the topic and provide context.
• Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph focuses on a specific cause and effect, examining the relationships between them.
• Cause 1: Explain the first cause and its immediate effect(s).
• Cause 2: Discuss the second cause, which is triggered by the effect(s) of Cause 1 and its subsequent effect(s).
• Cause 3: Describe the third cause, influenced by the effect(s) of Cause 2 and its further effect(s).

Continue this pattern for additional causes and effects.

• Conclusion: Summarize the causal chain, emphasizing the overall significance and potential long-term effects.

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Cause and Effect Essay Outline

I. Introduction

A. Explanation of cause and effect essays

B. Hook: 'Have you ever wondered how excessive screen time affects academic performance?'

C. Thesis statement: Excessive screen time negatively impacts academic performance due to decreased focus, impaired cognitive abilities, and reduced study time.

II. Body Paragraph 1: Cause 1 - Decreased Focus

A. Topic sentence: Excessive screen time leads to decreased focus.

B. Explanation: Constant exposure to screens can overstimulate the brain and make it harder to concentrate on academic tasks.

C. Example: Studies have shown that students who spend excessive time on electronic devices during study sessions often struggle to maintain their focus, leading to reduced productivity and lower academic performance.

III. Body Paragraph 2: Cause 2 - Impaired Cognitive Abilities

A. Topic sentence: Excessive screen time impairs cognitive abilities.

B. Explanation: Prolonged screen usage can negatively impact cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and critical thinking skills.

C. Example: Research has indicated that excessive screen time, particularly in the form of video games or social media, can hinder the development of cognitive abilities, making it more difficult for students to comprehend complex concepts and retain information.

IV. Body Paragraph 3: Cause 3 - Reduced Study Time

A. Topic sentence: Excessive screen time reduces the amount of time dedicated to studying.

B. Explanation: The allure of screens can distract students and tempt them away from their academic responsibilities.

C. Example: A study conducted at XYZ University found that students who spent more time on social media or streaming platforms were more likely to allocate less time to study, resulting in poor performance on exams and assignments.

V. Conclusion

A. Restate the thesis statement: Excessive screen time has a detrimental effect on academic performance due to decreased focus, impaired cognitive abilities, and reduced study time.

B. Recap the main points discussed in each body paragraph.

C. Final thoughts: Encourage students to manage their screen time wisely to optimize their academic success.

10 Cause and Effect Essay Topics

If you are struggling to come up with a topic for your essay, consider one of these ten great cause and effect essay ideas below. Feel free to also hit us up with your ' write essay for me ' request for a professionally crafted paper on your chosen topic.

Discuss the Effects of Social Media on Face-to-Face Communication

Social media has become a ubiquitous part of modern society, with platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram connecting people from all over the world. However, as social media usage has increased, so has concern over its impact on face-to-face communication. Some argue that social media has made it easier for people to stay in touch with friends and family, regardless of distance. Others worry that social media has led to a decline in the quality of face-to-face interactions, with people spending more time on their phones than engaging with those around them. This topic is ripe for exploration and analysis.

Analyze the Reasons Behind the Increased Use of Smartphones by Children

Smartphones have become a ubiquitous part of modern life, with people of all ages relying on them for communication, entertainment, and information. However, there has been a recent trend of children using smartphones at increasingly young ages. Some argue that smartphones can be a valuable tool for education and communication, while others worry that they can be addictive and harmful to children's development. This topic is worth exploring in depth, with a focus on the factors that have led to this trend and its potential long-term effects.

Explore the Impacts of Climate Change on the Natural Environment

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing the world today, with rising temperatures, sea levels, and extreme weather events all having profound impacts on the natural environment. This topic is complex and multifaceted, with a range of potential causes and effects to explore. Some of the key areas to consider might include the impact of climate change on ecosystems, wildlife, and natural resources, as well as the potential long-term consequences for human societies.

Investigate the Effects of Pollution on Human Health

Pollution is a major problem in many parts of the world, with air, water, and soil pollution all having serious consequences for human health. This topic is worth exploring in depth, with a focus on the specific ways in which pollution can impact different aspects of human health, including respiratory health, cardiovascular health, and mental health. Some of the key factors to consider might include the impact of pollution on vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly, as well as potential strategies for prevention and mitigation.

Discuss How Social Isolation Can Lead to Mental Health Issues

Social isolation is a growing problem in many parts of the world, with people of all ages and backgrounds feeling increasingly disconnected from their communities and social networks. This topic is worth exploring in depth, with a focus on the specific ways in which social isolation can impact mental health. Some of the key areas to consider might include the impact of social isolation on depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders, as well as potential strategies for prevention and treatment.

Analyze the Reasons Behind the Rise of Populism in Politics

Populism has become an increasingly prominent force in politics in recent years, with populist politicians and movements gaining ground in many parts of the world. This topic is complex and multifaceted, with a range of potential causes and effects to explore. Some of the key areas to consider might include the impact of economic inequality, globalization, and cultural change on the rise of populism, as well as potential strategies for addressing this trend.

Explore the Impacts of the Internet on the Traditional Media Industry

The internet has had a profound impact on the media industry, with traditional forms of media such as newspapers, television, and radio facing increasing competition from online sources. This topic is worth exploring in depth, with a focus on the specific ways in which the internet has disrupted traditional media models. Some of the key areas to consider might include the impact of social media on news consumption, the rise of citizen journalism, and the challenges facing traditional media outlets in the digital age.

Examine the Factors that Lead to the Growth of Online Shopping

Online shopping has become an increasingly popular way for people to purchase goods and services, with e-commerce platforms like Amazon and eBay dominating the retail landscape. This topic is worth exploring in depth, with a focus on the specific factors that have contributed to the growth of online shopping. Some of the key areas to consider might include the impact of convenience and accessibility, the rise of mobile devices, and the changing demographics of consumers.

Investigate the Effects of Globalization on Local Industries

Globalization has had a profound impact on the world economy, with goods, services, and capital flowing more freely across borders than ever before. This topic is worth exploring in depth, with a focus on the specific ways in which globalization has affected local industries. Some of the key areas to consider might include the impact of outsourcing and offshoring on employment, the role of multinational corporations in shaping local economies, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of globalization for different regions of the world.

Analyze The Impact of Social Media on Sleep Quality

Analyzing the impact of social media on sleep quality requires examining various factors related to social media usage and its effects on sleep patterns. Investigate the correlation between the amount of time individuals spend on social media platforms and their sleep quality. Excessive use of social media may lead to delayed bedtime, shorter sleep duration, or disrupted sleep. You can also explore the impact of blue light emitted by electronic devices, including smartphones and tablets, which are commonly used for social media browsing.

How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay: Step-by-Step Guide

In this section, we will unravel the essential elements of how to write a cause and effect essay, equipping you with the tips to present a logical and well-supported argument.

Step 1: Choose a Topic

The first step in writing a great cause and effect examples essay is choosing the right topic. Consider something that interests you and is relevant to your academic field. The cause and effect essay topics should also be specific enough to allow for in-depth analysis in your assignment.

Step 2: Conduct Research

Once you have identified your topic, it is important to do extensive research to gather sufficient information to support your arguments. Use scholarly sources such as academic journals, books, or reputable websites to do your research.

Step 3: Develop a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the core idea of your essay and should be presented in the opening paragraph. It is a single sentence that clearly states the cause and effect relationship you will be discussing in the essay. A well-crafted thesis statement is critical to the success of your essay.

Step 4: Create an Outline

Creating a cause and effect essay outline is a crucial element of the writing process. It helps in organizing your thoughts and providing a clear structure for your essay. Divide your essay into an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Step 5: Write the Introduction

The introduction is the first paragraph of your essay, and it should catch the reader's attention and provide background information on the topic at hand. The introduction should also include the thesis statement.

Step 6: Write the Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs should discuss the causes and effects of the event or topic at hand. Each paragraph should discuss one specific cause or effect followed by supporting evidence from your research.

Step 7: Write the Conclusion

The cause and effect essay conclusion should restate the thesis statement and provide a summary of your arguments. It should also demonstrate the relationship between the various causes and effects you have discussed.

Step 8: Proofread and Edit

The final step is to proofread and edit your essay. Ensure that your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are all correct and that your ideas are presented in a clear and concise manner.

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Cause and Effect Essay Examples

DoMyEssay professional writers have meticulously crafted a sample essay that delves into the cause and effect relationship between air pollution on human health.

Title: The Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health

Air pollution is a prevalent issue that has detrimental effects on human health. This essay will explore the multiple causes and consequences of air pollution, highlighting the interconnectedness between environmental factors and public well-being.

The primary cause of air pollution is industrial emissions. Factories and power plants release harmful pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, into the atmosphere. These pollutants contribute to the formation of smog, which can be inhaled by individuals, leading to respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Furthermore, vehicular emissions also contribute significantly to air pollution, particularly in urban areas with heavy traffic congestion.

The effects of air pollution on human health are alarming. Prolonged exposure to polluted air can cause respiratory diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Studies have also linked air pollution to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, children and the elderly are more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution, as their immune systems are less robust.

Moreover, air pollution has broader societal consequences. It contributes to the degradation of ecosystems, reduces crop yields, and harms biodiversity. It also poses economic burdens by increasing healthcare costs and decreasing productivity due to illnesses and absenteeism.

In conclusion, air pollution has far-reaching effects on human health and the environment. The causes, including industrial emissions and vehicular pollution, directly impact the quality of the air we breathe. The consequences, such as respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems, highlight the urgent need for measures to mitigate and control air pollution. Efforts to reduce emissions, promote cleaner technologies, and raise public awareness are crucial steps toward safeguarding human health and preserving the environment for future generations.

A Final Perspective

In our exploration of cause and effect essays, we've covered all the essentials. We've defined what is a cause and effect essay, delved into good cause and effect essay topics, and taken a closer look at its structure.

Now, here's the deal: if you put in the time and effort to prepare, your professor will definitely notice and give you the grade you deserve. But hey, we get it! Sometimes these tasks can be confusing and eat up all your time. If that's the case, no worries! You can easily hire our professional essay writers to lend a hand. Just say the magic words, ' Do my essay for me ,' and enjoy some well-deserved free time without the stress of assignments.

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Mastering the Art of Cause and Effect Essay Introduction

An introduction sets the stage for your entire essay. It provides context, outline, and a backset for your reason and result paper. If you want to engage your reader with an interesting introduction, you’re in the right place.

This blog is an extensive guide on cause and effect essay introduction that discusses components, examples and composition guides for an essay introduction. However, we will start with a brief overview of cause and effect essays for better context.

Table of Contents

What is a Cause and Effect Essay?

A cause and effect essay examines the reasons and results of an event, situation, or happenings, specifically, the situations that make something happen. The writers identify and explain some aspects and then their influences concisely with the help of strong evidence.

The main purpose of this piece of formal writing is to explore the “How’s” and “Why’s”. Further, an effect essay highlights the underlying factors that may cause a situation and provide potential solutions.

A quality paper requires a powerful  cause and effect essay outline  that dedicates a fair share of time and effort to its introduction. As it is the first section your audience reads, you must focus on characteristics and structure that can enhance your introduction. 

Key Components of a Cause and Effect Essay Introduction

Experts from  perfect essay writing  suggest that while managing tight deadlines, you must focus on the following elements to write a perfect introduction. So, let’s begin: 

(our writers have also compiled an extensive list of  cause and effect essay topics  that you can use in your next paper.)

Hook Statement

This statement is usually the first sentence of an introduction and hence, the entire essay. The purpose of this sentence is to grab the audience’s attention and keep it to the end. A hook statement can be:

A question 

A quotation

Statistic 

An anecdote 

The hook has to be related to the essay type, such as, if you are writing about “drug abuse”, your hook sentence, if a quotation, should be related to this topic.

Examples of Hook Statement:

Do you know that most drug addiction results from bad influences, as proven scientifically?

It’s not the drugs that make a drug addict; it’s the need to escape reality.

The leading cause of death among most teenagers in the modern world is “suicide”. 

His parents always thought he was a perfect and motivated boy until they guessed he was planning to kill himself. They could have prevented this tragedy if they had known his depression. 

The length of a hook statement depends on the type of hook statement and the length of the essay you are writing.

Background Information

Background information related to the topic is very important just after the hook statement of this essay. This is because it gives the audience a rough idea of what the essay will discuss. It can be three to four sentences long for a 1000 words essay. However, the length can vary depending on the available information and data on the type of essay and the length of your essay. 

• Thesis Statement

A thesis is the central claim of your essay. It reveals the writer’s stance and lists the interconnectedness between two objects, events, or places, plus the essay’s primary focus. Your thesis statement explores your paper’s idea and the essay writer’s position.

Steps on Writing a Cause and Effect Essay Introduction 

Here are some steps for writing a solid Introduction to your  cause and effect essay . These steps incorporate all the characteristics we have previously discussed. 

Step 1: Write your thesis statement. 

Writing a compelling thesis statement is an art that needs a lot of time and effort. Naturally, this should be the first box you need to check. In the process, discuss your ideas clearly, concisely and arguable. 

Step 2: Come up with your hook

Writing an engaging hook of a cause and effect essay introduction requires patience, practice and creativity. You need to come up with a statement that grabs the reader’s attention and piques their curiosity. 

Step 3: Give background information

Your content needs context. As a writer, you must provide some explanation of what the issue is and why it is necessary to discuss it. 

Step 4: General outline

Provide a brief overview of the main points you will be discussing in your essay. This will give the reader an idea of what to expect and how your essay will be structured.

Step 5: Transition

An effective essay writing technique is to have coherence throughout the text and that includes your introduction too. Experts always conclude their introduction by smoothly transitioning to the body of the essay. 

Examples of Cause And Effect Essay Introduction 

Lastly, we will be providing you with some introductory examples of reason and result essays. If you are on the quest of currently composing an effect essay you might as well want to explore some  cause and effect essay examples  to inspire your writing.

Example 1: 

It’s not the drugs that make a drug addict; it’s the need to escape reality. People having low self-esteem use substances that are psychoactive to them to create pleasure in their lives, escape reality, and decrease the constant pain they have been living under. Drugs have different effects due to the pharmacology of it. 

A small amount of drugs always acts as a stimulant. A greater amount will act as a sedative. However, many drugs will act as poison and destroy a person. Each drug has a different amount of substances that affect a person to a larger degree.

Health is wealth. You might have encountered this phrase many times, but do you know why health is a major concern for humans? Being overweight is just a medical problem; it also reflects social and psychological problems such as low self-esteem, criticism, lack of enthusiasm etc.

There is a constant spike in obesity cases around the globe (CNN). Despite major awareness campaigns’ success, the issues still seem hard to tackle. In countries like the US and the UK, the obesity rate is growing due to certain causes that must be discovered and resolved.

Example 3: 

Many people around the globe are fighting for the truth of global warming. What is global warming? Global warming refers to the rise in the earth’s temperature, a gradual process over several decades. 

The early sign of global warming was shown majorly in the 19th century leading to changes in weather, the gradual melting of glaciers, and many other unusual happenings. Such an unusual phenomenon results from activities requiring proper exploration of their effect on certain other phenomena.

Conclusion:

A strong cause and effect essay introduction can always help elevate your paper. Thus composing these paragraphs with the proper strategy is crucial. With this guide, you’ll surely say goodbye to the lackluster reason and result essays. Remember that exploring further options like online  assignment writing service  platforms is always good to boost your learning experience. Getting experts to help you compose on custom topics will help you meet tight deadlines and polish your writing skills.

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How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay

Writing essays is inevitable for all students. And while many of them consider this kind of academic assignment difficult and boring, others truly enjoy writing their essays on the widest array of topics. Do you want to know their secret? It’s simple: they just know how to write essays well! And those who don't also have a solution – they are ready to pay for essay best services to get completed paper without a hassle. Finding the essay writing service out there to fall back on is great but honing your own writing skills will never go amiss.

If you are reading this article, then you’re already on your way to start loving essay writing. By the time you finish reading it, you will have all the necessary instruments at hand to craft an impressive essay of one particular type – that is, a cause and effect essay (sometimes also called cause-effect or reason and result essay).

What Is a Cause and Effect Essay?

It is impossible to do something well without knowing what exactly it is that you have to do. So, let’s start with the basics – the cause and effect essay definition.

A cause and effect essay (also called cause-effect or reason and result essay) is a type of an analytical academic paper in which the relationship between causes and effects of a particular event or phenomenon is being analyzed. It usually answers the questions, “why?” (cause) and “what is the result?” (effect), and utilizes subjunctive mood extensively. If already at this moment you feel you're unlikely to be able to cope with writing an essay yourself – relax and get help from professional dissertation writing services .

How to Make a Correct Cause and Effect Essay Structure

Now that we know what a cause and effect essay is, we can start working on its structure. Having a clear structure is essential for the successful completion of your assignment. So, it’s highly important to devote enough time to this part of the task. If you think it's pretty challenging for you or you simply don't want to spend time on it, you can always look for coursework writing help , custom essay writing and get help from experts in the field.

There are two main ways to structure a cause and effect essay – using a block or a chain pattern. Your essay outline will differ depending on what option you choose.

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Cause and Effect Essay Outline

A cause and effect essay outline consists of a minimum of four sections – an introduction, at least two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each section, in turn, consists of several parts, and their contents vary depending on what pattern – block or chain – you choose.

Let’s start with a block structure.  This is how it will look like:

• Introduction;
• Body paragraph I: cause;
• Body paragraph II: effect;
• Conclusion.

Depending on your topic and approach, you can focus more on the effects or the causes and have various numbers of both. For example, if you put the main focus on the effects, your outline may look like this:

• Body paragraph I: effect #1;
• Body paragraph II: effect #2;
• Body paragraph III: cause;

If you choose the chain pattern, it will mean that in your body paragraphs, every cause will be immediately followed by its effect. The outline will then be as follows:

• Body paragraph I: cause #1 -> effect #1;
• Body paragraph II: cause #2 -> effect #2;   

In this case, too, the numbers of causes and effects may vary – it is their sequence that matters.

Now, let’s look closer at every section of the structure.

Introduction

Every essay starts with an introduction. In this section, you must introduce your topic to the reader, give some background information, and explain how you’re going to approach the discussion.

This is what an introduction section of a cause and effect essay must include:

• Background information;
• Thesis statement.

If you’re wondering how to start a cause and effect essay, you can use some of the proven techniques like using a quote, a rhetorical question, or a statement that is surprising or paradoxical. Then, after giving some background information, move on to a thesis statement.

A thesis is the part of your essay in which the main point of discussion is stated. It should be clear and concise and allow no ambiguity.

Example: “The gender gap is still very far from being closed. Globally, gender parity stands at 68.6%, according to the Global Gender Gap Report (2020). In this essay, we’ll look closely at some of the causes and effects of this phenomenon”.

Body Paragraphs (Causes)

Depending on what type of structure you choose, your body paragraphs may be slightly different. But, in any case, they should contain the following elements:

• thesis (main cause or effect);
• arguments (evidence);
• conclusion, and transition to the next section.

These may be arranged in a different way, but their presence is essential. Let’s again turn to our gender inequality topic and see how it works. In the causes section, we will list the various causes of the discussed phenomena:

• Cause #1 – societal mindset;
• Cause #2 – lack of sufficient childcare;
• Cause #3 – lack of political representation.

Each of these causes should be supported by evidence to be persuasive to the reader. This is how it may be put in a paragraph:

“One of the main causes of such inequality is the societal mindset that still regards women as primarily being responsible for providing home comfort and childcare. Most men still expect their wives to stay at home and sacrifice their careers in order to take the majority of household responsibilities (support with evidence – statistical figures, etc.).

Treat the next causes in the same manner.

Body Paragraphs (Effects)

This paragraph is basically the same as the previous one, with the only difference that here, we will discuss the effects of the phenomenon. Let’s continue with our topic:

• Effect #1 – higher levels of frustration;
• Effect #2 – lower income;
• Effect #3 – feelings of insecurity and vulnerability.

Keep in mind that the effects must be direct consequences of your causes – you can’t just pick random facts. You should also make that connection clear in your text.

Example: “Such prejudiced societal mindset regarding women and their role in the society results in higher levels of frustration among women. They feel that they have reached their glass ceiling just because of the fact that they have been born female – i.e., something they just couldn’t affect in any way (support with evidence)”.

Then, go on in the same manner in the next body-effects paragraphs.

After you’ve discussed all the causes and effects that you planned, continue with making a short conclusion. It must contain the following points:

• Reiteration of your thesis;
• Short summary of the essay’s key points;
• Concluding afterthoughts.

This is what it will look like in our case:

“As we see, gender inequality is still a pressing issue in the modern world, and it’s far from being solved. This phenomenon has multiple causes, the most obvious of which are society’s prejudiced attitude, lack of childcare, and lack of political representation for women. The effects of these problems are plausible: women end up feeling frustrated, having lower income, and being generally vulnerable. In order to change the situation, we mustn’t avoid discussions of this issue and should try to find solutions to the problems that cause it”.

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Interesting Cause and Effect Essay Topics

If you’re looking for an interesting topic for cause and effect essay, this section is for you. Listed below are some good cause and effect essay topics on various popular themes – history, politics, society, and more. Use them as examples to brainstorm ideas of your own.

History and politics:

• The economic consequences of the Civil War in the U.S.
• The collapse of the Soviet Union and its effect on the world’s power balance.
• World War II and its effect on the world economy.
• Brexit: was it necessary and how it will affect the U.K.
• Gender inequality as a major source of stress for modern women.
• How having children changes the life of a family.
• Social media as the major source of procrastination for students.
• Why do people commit crimes?
• How outstanding writing skills can help your future career.
• Burnout at work as a major career threat.
• Why it is important to go to college.
• Starting a business as a student. How it can affect your studies and future career.  

Environment:

• Air pollution as one of the main threats to public health.
• The effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the environment.
• How melting glaciers in the Arctic affect climate change on our planet.
• Multiple effects of global warming on the Earth’s population.
• Why we all need to go green right now.

Cause and Effect Essay Examples

Now that you have all the tools necessary to create a good cause and effect essay of your own let’s look at an example to see how all the components work together. Let’s assume that our topic is “Procrastination among college students.” Here, we will use a block structure, and this is how our example cause and effect essay will look like.

Procrastination Among College Students.

Our first paragraph is an introduction. Here we introduce our topic with a hook statement, give some background information, and make a thesis statement. 

Procrastination is dangerous for college students. At the same time, it’s extremely common among them: various studies show that up to 95% of college students engage in it from time to time, and almost 50% do this systematically. The causes of this phenomenon are multi-faceted and profound, and it’s vital to discover them in every particular case to be able to fight procrastination effectively. But to start treating procrastination as a problem, students must be aware of its harmful consequences. There are many of them, but one of the most acute ones for college students is its negative effect on their academic performance.

Here, the topic suggests that we have to focus more on the effects than on the causes, so the first body paragraph will be about an effect mentioned in the title. First, we will name the effect and then bring arguments and evidence to support our claim.

Procrastination is putting off things one has to do till the last minute and spending one’s time on some other, less important occupations. When students procrastinate instead of doing their academic assignments, they usually end up not having enough time to complete their tasks properly by the deadline. As a result, they only do what they can in the amount of time left, and the quality of their work may suffer. For most students, it means receiving lower grades than they could have achieved had they spent their time more wisely. And this is not a mere assumption: a study conducted by Warwick Business School has proven that procrastination leads students to lower grades (2019). One may argue that it depends largely on how gifted a student is, but even the talented ones may get to the point when the assignment is so difficult that they cannot do it well quickly.

Our second body paragraph will be about another effect. We will write it using the same scheme as in the previous paragraph.

What’s worse, procrastination can also cause mental health problems among students (Source, year). When a person finds out that they only have several hours to complete an assignment that requires several days to be done well, they are most likely to succumb to anxiety. Science proves this, too: for example, a 2010 study titled “I’ll Go to Therapy, Eventually” found a clear connection between procrastination and poorer mental health. Then, worries about failing to do a task properly resulted in even more anxiety and stress, and if a student eventually gets a lower grade than expected, it may lead to a feeling of guilt, regret, and even to depression, especially if the situation is repeated often.

In the third body paragraph, we will talk about the causes. 

It may be tempting to just label students who keep putting off their assignments as sluggards, but there are more complex and profound reasons for procrastination than mere laziness. As A. Chris Heath, MD, a psychiatrist from Dallas, says, procrastination usually happens because the task seems too difficult. It can also be an issue of self-esteem, he adds, – when a person thinks he or she is not good enough to cope with a demanding task. There are many other causes for procrastination among students, like having trouble concentrating or not possessing enough organizational skills. But whatever the reasons are, the results procrastination leads to are always devastating.

Conclusion. Here, we reiterate our thesis, site the significance of the topic, and add some afterthoughts.

As we see now, procrastination is a huge problem for college students. Being considered a result of pure laziness by many, it is often overlooked as a common problem. But this approach can be very dangerous.

In reality, procrastination has deeper roots, and the effects it causes are quite harmful. If treated lightly, systematic procrastination eventually leads college students to lower grades, mental health problems, and poorer overall academic performance.

So, it’s essential for every college student not to ignore the problem and find the causes of procrastination in their particular case as early as possible to be able to avoid its dreadful consequences.

That’s it! Feel free to use this essay as a model to generate your unique cause and effect essay ideas. If you need another example, download cause and effect essay sample here.   

Wrapping Up

In this article, we’ve covered all the important issues on how to write a cause and effect essay. After reading it thoroughly, you should know what a cause and effect essay is, how to structure it well, and make an outline that will work. We’ve also explained how to work on every paragraph of your text and provided some good essay topics as well as examples of a cause and effect essay with commentary. 

Still puzzled about how to write your cause and effect essay properly? Get instant write a paper for me help from professional editors and writers.  With such detailed instruction, you cannot fail, if you are diligent enough to practice writing essays on your own using the information given. Don’t get downhearted if you won’t be able to write a flawless paper from the first try; remember: practice makes perfect. So, put effort into your essay writing, and this will pay you back in the future – not only with excellent marks but with better critical thinking and logical skills, too.

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125 Cause and Effect Essay Topics

When it comes to writing an essay for a class, the cause and effect essay often stumps most students.

Not only does this essay need to be detailed in the way it presents information, but each cause and effect must be logically linked to each other as well as the main topic.

Furthermore, a cause and effect essay must be structured to clearly show the link between the cause and effect while allowing for transition throughout.

Even with solid writing skills and the ability to research and present information, students sometimes fail at this task because they can not settle on a topic to write about.

Fortunately, this article will cover 125 cause and effect essay topics and helpful tips on how to best structure a cause and effect essay to make clear and concise arguments.

By following these helpful tips, students will be well on their way to writing a cause and effect essay that will earn them the grade they need to pass their class and earn their degree.

What Is a Cause and Effect Essay?

A piece of writing that does one of these two things is considered a cause and effect essay:

• Analyzes the ways that one or more effects result from a particular event, person, or thing
• Analyzes the way that one or more causes lead to a singular or series of effects

Depending on the topic, it may be easier to structure your essay one way or the other as long as there is a logical connection between the causes and effects.

Essential Tips for Crafting a Cause and Effect Essay

When it comes to crafting an essay, many different strategies can be used. However, the key to writing a good cause and effect essay is following these that will allow students to build powerful arguments using well-researched information that supports their thesis statement.

Introduction

As with any essay, a strong introduction is key to establishing the tone for your writing. With a cause and effect essay, the introduction should include:

• An opening hook statement to grab the reader’s attention
• General background info on the topic of choice (a few sentences)
• A strong thesis detailing whether the essay will be focused on cause or effect

With these three critical pieces of information, the reader will understand what they are about to read, the general background of the topic and will be able to develop a strong judgment about whether they agree with the writer’s argument.

Body Paragraphs

The simplest cause and effect essay will need at least three body paragraphs. However, this number may increase relevant to the complexity of the topic or the designated word count set by your professor.

The structure of the body paragraph should contain:

• Topic sentence that describes the main point of the paragraph
• 2-3 supporting sentences
• 2-3 facts or examples to back up the supporting sentences

The format should look something like this:

• Topic sentence
• Supporting sentence
• Fact or example
• fact or example

For readability and clarity, refrain from using more than one key point or argument in each body paragraph.

Additionally, students should end each paragraph with a transition phrase or sentence that concludes the thought and leads into the next section, such as:

• Because of this
• As a result
• On account of
• For this reason
• Consequently

These transition words or phrases – and others with similar references – could be used 2-4 times throughout the paragraph to link the supporting sentences and examples together and make the essay more coherent and easier to follow.

The first sentence of your conclusion should be a restating of your thesis topic. This should not be a word-for-word retelling but rather a quick reminder of the main points covered in the essay. A few good examples of restating a thesis could begin with:

• This essay highlighted the fact that…
• This essay examined the effects of…
• This essay exposed the causes of…

Next, students should summarize the main point from each body paragraph. Again this should not be a word-for-word retelling but rather a summarization. For example, a student might write:

• In the introduction, I stated that…
• The first body paragraph discussed how…
• The second body paragraph illuminated how…

Lastly, a conclusion should always include a call to action. This means telling the reader what they should take away from your essay and why it is essential for them to do so. Additionally, the writer can end a cause and effect essay with a final inspirational thought or quote that summarizes the overall topic of the writing.

With a better idea of how to structure a cause and effect essay, students can find plenty of topics to write about. Of course, these are just a few suggestions, but students should feel free to choose any topic they are passionate about or genuinely care about.

Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Science

• What causes tidal waves?
• How does gravity affect the human body?
• What is the effect of global warming?
• How does fracking cause earthquakes?
• What are the causes of ozone depletion?
• How does evolution affect modern life?
• What are the effects of pollution on human health?
• How have humans caused deforestation?
• What causes the spread of disease?
• What causes cancer?
• What is the impact of increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere on plants, animals, and humans?
• Does low-calorie food cause weight gain?
• What causes the high levels of salt in human blood?
• What causes hurricanes or other extreme weather events?
• What are some effects of pollution on ecosystems?
• How does malaria affect humans?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Social Studies

• What are some causes of the Civil Rights Movement?
• What caused women to get the right to vote in the United States?
• How did religion affect early colonists’ lives in America?
• How does poverty cause crime?
• What are some causes of the Great Depression?
• What caused the Middle Passage and Atlantic Slave Trade?
• Why did communism spread quickly across Europe and Asia after World War II?
• How does racism affect people’s lives today in America?
• How did nationalism lead to war in the Balkans, Iraq, and Rwanda?
• What are some causes of immigration from Latin America into the United States today?
• Why do people immigrate illegally to countries?
• Why do students drop out of school?
• What are the causes and effects of military conflict in other countries like Syria and Iraq?
• How did immigrants and migrants shape and change United States history (i.e., The Great Wave)?
• What caused the fall of the Soviet Union?
• What are some causes of increased globalization in the world today?
• What were the effects of the Great Recession and financial crisis on the United States, Europe, and Latin America?
• How does immigration affect jobs in Western countries today?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Social Sciences

• What causes teenage rebellion?
• How effects does media have on social issues?
• What causes a drop in voting among citizens?
• What causes a decline in school pride?
• How does birth order affect personality?
• What are some causes of obesity in America?
• How does the concept of “cool” change over time?
• How does sexism affect women’s lives today?
• What are some causes of substance abuse among teens and young adults in the United States today?
• What are some causes of the rise of new religious movements and cults in America?
• What causes people to be more spiritual today?
• How does “sexting” lead to sex crimes among teens?
• What are some causes of the gender wage gap?
• What causes school shootings in America?
• What causes so many people to become obsessed in America?
• Why are more people single today?
• How will the internet shape the world in 100 years?
• What are some causes of post-adolescent depression among teens and young adults?
• What are some causes of poverty in America?
• What are some causes of violence at schools or universities in the United States today?
• What caused women to become more involved in politics recently?
• What are some causes of mental illness among teens and young adults today?
• What are some causes of depression among teenagers or students?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Humanities

• What causes a desire for fame?
• How does advertising affect our choices?
• What causes depression in teenagers?
• What is the cause of suicides in soldiers?
• How does the job market affect graduates?
• What are some causes of eating disorders in college students?
• What is the cause of road rage today?
• Why do people commit crimes today?
• What are some causes of crime among youth?
• How does politics shape our daily lives as citizens or voters?
• What are some causes of political and social injustice in the world today?
• What causes immigration into and emigration out of countries?
• How does illiteracy cause crime?
• Why do people seek therapy or counseling?
• What are some causes of mental illness among Americans today?
• What leads to self-harm and suicides among teens and young adults today?
• What are some causes of bullying among women?
• How do Americans view immigrants and immigration today? Why?
• What are some causes of substance abuse in youth or young adults?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Business or Marketing

• What is the cause of poor customer service?
• How does advertising affect sales?
• What causes monopolies in large companies?
• How does pricing affect the market share of a company?
• What caused the 2008 financial crisis?
• What caused the recent stock market crash?
• What are some causes of the Great Recession in the United States?
• How do social media sites affect relationships between consumers and businesses?
• How does a business plan create new opportunities for a company?
• Why do more people work from home today?
• What is causing a decrease in trust among consumers today?
• What were the causes of bankruptcy among large companies in the U.S.?
• What are some causes of globalization?
• What is causing a decrease in loyalty among consumers today?
• How has social media changed how brands advertise and market their products or services to customers?
• How does the availability of technology change business marketing?
• How do cultural differences affect business relationships with international companies?
• What is the cause of the boom in the organic food industry?
• What are some causes of conflict among businesses and consumers?
• What are some causes of a decline in small businesses?
• Why do more people prefer self-employment today than ever before?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Personal Development

• What are the benefits of eating better?
• What decreases stress, and how does it work?
• What is the cause of distraction among high school students?
• What happens when you don’t sleep enough?
• The benefits of quitting smoking.
• How do the effects of social media impact a teenager’s self-esteem or body image?
• How do strong coping mechanisms help process anxiety better?

Cause and effect essay topics on Current Events

• What causes an increase in identity theft rates?
• What is the cause of the rise of Islamophobia in the West?
• Why is there a lack of humanitarian aid from developed to developing countries?
• How did ISIS come into existence?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Arts and Literature

• What is the cause for the censorship of books in school?
• What is the effect of only focusing on winners and success stories in history?
• What caused an increase in illegal downloading of music?
• Why did rap songs become more explicit than ever before?
• What is the cause of the growing popularity of e-books?
• What are some causes of violence in video games?
• What are some causes of graphic sex scenes in books and movies today?
• Why do people want more realism in art?
• What is the cause of the increase of supernatural characters in fiction?
• What causes the illegal downloading of movies online?
• What is the cause for the decrease in movie theater attendance?
• What causes an increase or decrease in book sales?
• What is the cause for censorship in music and art?
• What is leading to greater realism in novels and movies today?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Technology

• What caused the invention of bluetooth speakers?
• Who invented the mouse, and what was their motivation?
• How did new technology help with video games in 2018?

There you have it – 125 cause and effect essay topics that are sure to inspire your inner writer and earn you a good grade on your next essay assignment.

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Dogs Across the U.S. Are Falling Sick From a Mystery Illness. Here’s What to Know

A respiratory illness with an unknown cause is sickening dogs in Oregon and other states, prompting warnings from governments and veterinarians about keeping pets safe. 

From August to mid-November, Oregon’s state government received a little more than 200 reports of the illness, which exhibits symptoms of a chronic cough or pneumonia that does not respond to antibiotics. Oregon’s Department of Agriculture told TIME, via email on Saturday, Nov. 18, that it was anecdotally aware of similar cases throughout the country including New Hampshire and surrounding northeastern states, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Washington, Idaho and California.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is the illness?

Oregon’s Department of Agriculture began receiving reports of an “atypical canine infectious respiratory disease” circulating in the Portland metro and Willamette Valley areas in August. As of Nov. 16, the department said it’s received more than 200 reports of cases from veterinarians. 

The cause of the illness is still unknown. The department said on Nov. 9 that cases appear to share a viral cause, but common respiratory diagnostic testing has been largely negative. A handful of cases tested positive for Mycoplasma cyno s ( M. cynos ), a bacteria linked to canine respiratory diseases, but it wasn’t believed to be the underlying cause, the department said.

More From TIME

Oregon officials said they’re working with vets and scientists to begin a widespread sampling of cases to diagnose the cause and implement a diagnostic testing plan. 

What are the symptoms you should be looking out for?

The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association said symptoms include a chronic mild to moderate cough that lasts at least six to eight weeks, and chronic pneumonia or acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and often leads to poor outcomes in as little as 24 to 36 hours. Cases are minimally or non-responsive to antibiotics. 

The association said that in general, you should contact a vet if your dog exhibits symptoms including coughing, sneezing, nasal and/or eye discharge, and lethargy. 

How serious is it?

Oregon’s Department of Agriculture told TIME it is receiving "reports of illness and some deaths" although the desk is not actively tracking case outcomes. The department notes that state veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz says the "number of deaths have been a very small percentage of total cases."

Kurt Williams, director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University, is quoted as telling the Associated Press that “dogs have died,” but said that it’s hard to count how many died from a severe form of the infection without any clear way to define the disease or test for it yet. 

Williams cautioned dog owners to not panic and told them to make sure pets are up-to-date on vaccinations. 

The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association suggested “caution rather than worry” on Nov. 9. Periodic outbreaks of respiratory diseases occur in dogs and cases can be serious, the association said. Cases more commonly occur in animals housed in settings such as shelters, boarding or training facilities rather than in animals housed in private homes, especially those with limited access to other dogs, the association explained. 

What should you do and where can you get help?

Oregon’s Agriculture Department recommend pet owners consult a veterinarian, since the state agency said there is no “one-size-fits-all recommendation” for a potentially broad range of respiratory diseases. 

The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association encourages dog owners to speak to a veterinarian about what vaccines may be appropriate for their dog, including ones that target canine influenza, Bordetella and parainfluenza. 

If dog owners are concerned, vets recommend reducing contact with large numbers of unknown dogs, keeping pets away from others that look sick and avoiding communal water bowls. 

“Just like with other respiratory pathogens, the more contacts your dog has, the greater the risk of encountering a dog that’s infectious,” the vet association said. 

For dogs attending events or situations with a group of other dogs, vets suggested making sure all dogs are up-to-date on vaccines, conducting a health check 12 to 24 hours before the event and having a vet on-site to check dogs’ health issues. If your dog is sick, vets say you should consider having your dog tested with a PCR test to help determine the cause. 

Contact your local vet or follow the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association or American Veterinary Medical Association for updates and tips on how to keep your dog safe.

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