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3.5: Organizing the Cause and Effect Essay

ESL Academic Writing · LibreTexts

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    Exercise 3

    Check the sample below and use the following topics to brainstorm causes and effects.

    Topic 1: Losing a job

    Topic 2: Academic dishonesty

    Topic 3: Homelessness in the U.S.

    Topic 4: Stress in college students

    Losing a Job: Causes and Effects
     
    Causes

     

     
     
    Effects
    		  
    • Poor job performance
    • Dishonesty
    • Inability to be part of a team
    		   Losing a Job  
    • Financial difficulties
    • Mental Health Issues
    • Problems in personal relationship

    When organizing a cause-effect essay, it is important to know whether you are writing mainly about the causes or the effects, or if you are writing about both.

    The following are three common ways to organize a five-paragraph cause-effect essay. There are other ways to organize the essay, so it is important to understand what the assignment is asking you to write about.

    Three typical Cause and Effect Essay Outlines

    Focus on Effects

    Focus on Causes

    Focus on both

    Cause & Effect

     

    I.Introduction with main cause or causes

     

    1. First effect

     

    1. Second effect

     

    1. Third effect

     

    1. Conclusion

     

    I.Introduction with main effect or effects

     

    1. First cause

     

    1. Second cause

     

    1. Third cause

     

    1. Conclusion

     

    I. Funnel introduction

     

    1. Major cause

     

    1. First effect

     

    1. Second effect

     

    1. Conclusion

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