Writing Assignment II:

Cause and Effect Essay

 Essay Outline
 Introduction
 Hook
 Connecting information
 Thesis Statement
 Body (TWO paragraphs)
 Body 1: Causes
 Topic sentence
 Supporting ideas
 Explain
 Give example

 Body 2: Effects
 Topic sentences
 Supporting ideas
 Explain
 Give Example

 Conclusion
 Transition phrase + thesis restatement
 Summary of main ideas
 Introduction
Hook:
 to catch the reader’s attention: could be either:
 A thought-provoking quote
 A statistic (numbers and percentages)
 A short anecdote (short story that relates to the topic)
 An interesting fact or observation

Connecting information:
 3 – 5 sentences PRESENTING THE PROBLEM (say what the problem is and what is it
causing)
 Don’t mention any SOLUTIONS here
 Pretend your reader has no idea about your topic

Thesis Statement
 This is only one sentence that states your main idea for the ENTIRE ESSAY:
Example: This essay will discuss/tackle/look into the causes and effects of climate change.
 Body 1: The Causes
 Topic Sentence: it is the main idea of THIS PARAGRAPH:

Example: The three main causes of climate change include deforestation, factory emissions,
and the increase in population.

 Supporting ideas:
 Deforestation:
What is it?
Give an example about it
 Factory emissions:
What is it?
Give an example about it
 Increase in population:
What is it?
Give an example about it
 Body 2: The Effects
 Topic Sentence: it is the main idea of THIS PARAGRAPH:

Example: The main effects of climate change are melting glaciers, loss of
habitat, and rising sea levels.

 Supporting ideas:
 Melting glaciers:
What is it?
Give an example about it
 Loss of habitat:
What is it?
Give an example about it
 Rising sea levels:
What is it?
Give an example about it
 Conclusion
 Transition : Begin your conclusion with words like, In
conclusion, To sum up, In summary, In brief, All in all, To
conclude, …

 Restate essay thesis: paraphrase your thesis statement.

 Summary: summarize the main causes/effects of your body

paragraphs (no details or examples and no new information)

 Final thought/ Take-Away: make a recommendation or a

prediction that leaves your reader satisfied.
Practice:
Writing Prompt:

Research shows that many students start

smoking during their college years. In 4
paragraphs, write about the causes and
effects of smoking on students.
 Introduction – Identify the 3 parts

 Smoking is one of the most dangerous widespread

phenomena that threatens the lives of a huge number of
people worldwide. It starts carelessly, but ends as an
addiction that is therefore difficult to give up. In fact,
quitting it becomes even more challenging for people who
start smoking at a young age. Today we often hear of
“smoking among students”. This essay looks into the cause
that push students to pick up smoking and the effects it has
on them.
Hook
Smoking is one of the most dangerous widespread
phenomena that threaten lives of a huge number of
people worldwide.

Connecting information:(Presenting the problem)

It starts as a way of having fun, but ends as an

addiction that is therefore so difficult to give up. In
fact, quitting it becomes even more challenging for
people who start smoking at a young age. Today we
often hear of “smoking among students”.

Thesis Statement

This essay looks into the cause that push students to

pick up smoking and the effects it has on them.
 Body 1 : Identify Topic sentence & supporting
ideas (causes)
There are many reasons behind the phenomenon of
smoking among students. To start with, students smoke
because they are curious and want to discover the world of
those who smoke. They are just trying to have some fun when
they smoke first cigarette. Other students take up smoking
due to the family problems, especially when they see their
parents fighting. Moreover, some students smoke since they
think a cigarette would relieve stress they had during the day,
especially at school. Finally, students try to imitate adult
smokers because they want to show that they are adults, too.
There are many reasons behind the phenomenon of smoking Topic Sentence
among students.

To start with, students smoke because they are curious and want to
Supporting
discover the world of those who smoke. They are just trying to have
idea: Cause 1
some fun when they smoke first cigarette.

Other students take up smoking due to the family problems, especially Supporting
when they see their parents fighting. idea: Cause 2

Moreover, some students smoke since they think a cigarette would Supporting
relieve stress they had during the day, especially at school. idea: Cause 3

Finally, students try to imitate adult smokers because they want to Supporting
show that they are adults, too. idea: Cause 4
 Body 2: Identify Topic sentence &
supporting ideas (Effects)
If we look at the consequences of smoking, we will find
so many. Smoking causes cancer. As a result, the addict students
would suffer from health problems that may end in death.
Another effect is that after certain years, the addict would
develop respiratory problems and will face a lot of problems in
running without losing breath. So, asthma, bronchitis, and
emphysema are always a lingering threat. One more important
effect of smoking is that it causes a lot of anger for the addict.
Whenever they lack cigarettes, they start reacting angrily and
strangely.
If we look at the consequences of smoking, we will find so Topic Sentence
many.

Smoking causes cancer. As a result, the addict students would suffer Supporting
from health problems that may end in death. idea: Effect 1

Another effect is that after certain years, the addict would develop
respiratory problems and will face a lot of problems in running without Supporting
losing breath. So, asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema are always a idea: Effect 2
lingering threat.

One more important effect of smoking is that it causes a lot of anger Supporting
for the addict. Whenever they lack cigarettes, they start reacting idea: Effect 3
angrily and strangely.
Conclusion: Identify the 3 parts

To sum up, there are many causes and effect behind

smoking amongst adolescents. Students start smoking for
reasons that include relieving stress and imitating adults, but
as a consequence, they may suffer from health problems such
as lung cancer and asthma. To avoid that grim fate, we should
try and stop it as early as possible to leave a better example
for future generations.
Transition + Restatement of thesis
To sum up, there are many causes and effect behind
smoking amongst adolescents.

Summary of main ideas

Students start smoking for reasons that include
relieving stress and imitating adults, but as a
consequence, they may suffer from health problems
such as lung cancer and asthma.

Final statement – recommendation

To avoid that grim fate, we should try and stop it as early
as possible to leave a better example for future
generations.
Practice:
Writing Prompt:

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
1. Identify the below paragraph
2. Is it missing something?
3. Add the missing part

One of most debated topics nowadays is

women’s status in society. In the past, most women
stayed at home to take care of domestic chores,
such as cooking or cleaning. Taking care of the
household was their primary goal and life mission.
However, presently the situation has changed.
 Answer: Introduction; Thesis
statement
One of most debated topics nowadays is women’s
status/role in society. In the past, most women stayed
at home to take care of domestic chores such as
cooking or cleaning. Taking care of the household was
their primary goal and life mission. However, presently
the situation has changed. Women's liberation has had
significant consequences, both in terms of
the family, and also for society itself.
 1. Identify the below paragraph
2. Is it missing something?
3. Add the missing part
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 popularized by authors, such as Simone de
Beauvoir. This ___________ new legislation that granted women equal rights
to men in many fields, in particular employment. _________, the spread
of feminist ideas have ________ men to take up roles which were previously
seen as being for women only, most importantly those related to child
rearing. Nowadays, both men and women share the responsibility of looking
after kids.
Answer: Body paragraph (The causes); transitions
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 popularized by authors such as, Simone de Beauvoir. This
contributed to new legislation that granted women equal
rights to men in many fields, in particular
employment. Moreover, the spread of feminist ideas have
caused men to take up roles which were previously seen as
being for women only, most importantly those related to
child rearing. Nowadays, both men and women share the
responsibility of looking after kids.
1. Identify the below paragraph
2. Is it missing something?
3. Add the missing part
One main effect of the new women’s role 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.
Answer: Body paragraph (The Effect);transitions

One main effect of the new women’s role 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. Therefore, this therefore teaches them
important life skills.
1. Identify the below paragraph
2. Is it missing something?
3. Add the missing part
____________, the increasing number of women at
work has brought about some important changes to
_________, including improved quality of life and
increased independence for children, as well
as affecting ________. It is clear that women are still
a long way from being equal in all areas of life.
However, the challenge for the present century is to
ensure that this takes place.
 Answer: Conclusion; transition; summary
points

In summary, 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 as a
whole. It is clear that women are still a long way from being
equal in all areas of life. However, the challenge for the
present century is to ensure that this takes place.
Further cause and effect topics
1. Causes and effects of pollution
2. Causes of internet addiction and its influence on kids
3. Causes and effect of school bullying on children
4. Causes of stress and its impact of health
5. What makes people lie and what consequences follow
6. Food and fashion globalization: causes and effects
7. Some students think school is boring: what are the causes and effects of
that?
9. What are the causes and effects of low quality education?
10. Why do some children like violent video games and what impact does it have
on them?
11. Bad eating habits; its causes and effects
12. Causes and effects of Wasta
13. Being a diwaniya regular; causes and effects
14. Our love for money; causes and effects