Cause and Effect Paragraphs

What is the purpose?
•To discuss the reasons why something occurs
•To discuss the results of an event, feeling or

action
•Knowing how to write a good Cause or Effect

paragraph is important – most classes, history,
biology, journalism, marketing, for example,
use this technique to analyze things.
Why do we write these types of
paragraphs?
•To understand a situation
•To solve a problem
•To predict an outcome
•To entertain
•To persuade
Steps
• Remember that causes come first, effects follow.
• Learn multiple forms (also known as equivalencies) so
that you can vary your writing style.
• Use an effective way to catch the reader's attention.
• Always use examples to provide evidence.
Steps
• Use a hamburger essay form (introduction, three body
paragraphs, conclusion) for cause and effect essays.
• Begin by brainstorming (example below). Next, write a
quick outline using ideas created by brainstorming.
• Use your outline as a map to writing your essay. It may
take a few minutes to develop an outline, but having an
outline results in a much clearer essay.
Achieving Unity
•Unity is achieved in a paragraph by deciding if
causes or effects will be the focus.
•Create a topic sentence that focuses on central
event, feeling or action.
•Is there a link between the causes or effects?
Use that link as the controlling idea (ex.
negative effects, positive outcomes, happy
reasons.)
Enhancing Coherence
• To increase coherence, limit the number of causes or

effects.
• Decide if there is a chain reaction or individual
causes/ effects.
• Use transitional words that focus the purpose of the
paragraph.
• Use support sentences to identify the causes or
effects.
Useful Vocabulary
Cause Effect
For So
Because But
Since For this reason
Due to As a result
Consequently
Otherwise
Therefore
Thus
Check more linking words in here!

Sample Paragraph 1
Headaches
Headaches can have several causes. Many people
think that the major cause of headache is nervous
tension, but there is strong evidence that suggests diet
and environment as possible factors. Some people get
headaches because they are dependent on
caffeine. Other people may be allergic to salt, or they
may have low blood sugar. Still other people are allergic
to household chemicals including polishes, waxes, bug
killers, and paint. If they can manage to avoid these
substances, their headaches tend to go away. When a
person has recurring headaches, it is worthwhile to look
for the underlying cause, especially if the result of that
search is freedom from pain.
Sample Paragraph With Clear Support Sentences
Headaches
Headaches can have several causes. One obvious
cause is stress. People have hectic lives and frequently
have multiple stressors everyday, like work, family and
money. Another reason for headaches in some people
has to do with diet. Some get headaches because they
are dependent on caffeine. Other people may be
allergic to salt, or they may have low blood sugar. The
environment can also cause this uncomfortable
condition. Allergens such as household chemicals
including polishes, waxes, bug killers, and paint can lead
to headaches. Lowering stress, controlling your diet and
avoiding allergens can help avoid headaches.
Sample Paragraph 2
Headaches
Recurring headaches can have several disruptive effects on a
person's life. Severe headaches are more than temporary
inconveniences. In many cases, these headaches make a
person nauseous to the point that he or she must go to
bed. Sleep is often interrupted because of the pain. This
worsens the physical and emotional state of the sufferer. For
those who try to maintain a normal lifestyle, drugs are often
relied on to get through the day. Such drugs, of course, can
have other negative side effects. Productivity on a job can
certainly be reduced, even to the point of regular
absences. Finally, perhaps the most distressing aspect of all
this is the seemingly unpredictable occurrence of these
headaches. The interruption to a person's family life is
enormous: cancelling plans in the last minute and straining
relationships with friends and family. It is no wonder that
many of these people feel discouraged and even depressed.
Sample Paragraph with cause/effect
signal words
Headaches
Recurring headaches can have initiate disruptive effects in a
person's life. Initially, in many cases, these headaches make a
person nauseous to the point that he or she must go to bed.
Furthermore, sleep is often interrupted because of the
pain. Disrupted sleep worsens the physical and emotional state
of the sufferer. For those who try to maintain a normal lifestyle,
drugs are often relied on to get through the day. Such drugs, of
course, can lead to other negative effects. Drugs can inhibit
productivity on a job, perhaps even causing regular
absences. Not only is work affected, but the seemingly
unpredictable occurrence of these headaches lead to disruption
in family life. The interruption to a person's family life is
enormous: cancelling plans in the last minute and straining
relationships with friends and family. It is no wonder that many
of these people feel discouraged and even depressed due to the
cycle of misery reoccurring headaches cause.
Time has ended, now
it is your turn to
prepare a cause-effect
paragraph!

Cause and Effect Paragraphs

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What are some causes of headaches?

What are some effects of recurring headaches?

What is the purpose?

•To discuss the reasons why something occurs

•To discuss the results of an event, feeling or

•Knowing how to write a good Cause or Effect

• To increase coherence, limit the number of causes or

Check more linking words in here!

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