How to Write a Cause and Effect Paragraph

What makes something happen is called a cause. An effect is what happens as a result of the cause. Cause and effect paragraphs are not just written for English writing assignments; news reporters, magazine writers and even average consumers also use them. Here are a few basics on writing a coherent cause and effect paragraph.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Decide whether to write about a cause or an effect or both. You can choose to discuss only the causes of an event or only the effects of an event. Alternately, you can discuss the causes AND effects of a certain event.

2. Make a list of causes or effects. Then narrow down that list to include only the most important causes or effects.

3. Explain each cause or effect in the paragraph in as much detail as possible. Likely you will need to offer a little cause to an effect paragraph, or a little effect to a cause paragraph just to give it context.

4. Use transitional words in your paragraph, such as: also, as a result, because, first and finally.

5. Include in your paragraph a clear topic sentence. This sentence should state the main idea of your paragraph. In other words, what point are you trying to make?

6. Arrange your points in chronological order. Space order shows how events moved through space, such as describing someone from head to toe. Time order shows how events move through time. Use transitional words like first, second, finally. Lastly, you can use order of importance, which shows events that are most important.

Tips & Warnings

• Type your paragraph using 12-point font.
• Double-space your paragraph.
• Check over your paragraph many times for errors.

[eac913]

on 10/4/2009 This is a great article on how to write a cause and effect paragraph.

[Blackbear]

on 1/30/2008 Good article. I wish I had this for a couple of my articles I already wrote. ;D