How to Write 1 Well Developed Cause and Effect Paragraph

The paragraph is a great start for many basic level and/or ESL (English as a second language) writers who need and seek improvement with his or her writing skills. One of the most important factors about writing 1 paragraph is staying on topic. With more and more practice in writing well-developed paragraphs, the writer will feel more confident to approach essay writing and other types of writing. One type of paragraph is the cause and effect paragraph. The cause and effect paragraph allows writers to examine one element in life and provide either the negative or positive effects of that aspect. This type of paragraph allows the writer to make the reader more aware of certain effects from one element. Follow this simple recipe for writing a well-developed and focused cause and effect paragraph, and I assure my readers that writing and staying on topic is simple. The first step contains some tips before writing. Step 2 is a recipe to follow for this type of paragraph. Step 3 and 4 are two student samples of well-focused and well-developed cause and effect paragraphs that follow the format in step 2.

Instructions

1. The paragraph is a great start for many basic level and/or ESL (English as a second language) writers who need and seek improvement with his or her writing skills. One of the most important factors about writing 1 paragraph is staying on topic. With more and more practice in writing well-developed paragraphs, the writer will feel more confident to approach essay writing and other types of writing. One type of paragraph is the cause and effect paragraph. The cause and effect paragraph allows writers to examine one element in life and provide either the negative or positive effects of that aspect. This type of paragraph allows the writer to make the reader more aware of certain effects from one element. Follow this simple recipe for writing a well-developed and focused cause and effect paragraph, and I assure my readers that writing and staying on topic is simple. The first step contains some tips before writing. Step 2 is a recipe to follow for this type of paragraph. Step 3 and 4 are two student samples of well-focused and well-developed cause and effect paragraphs that follow the format in step 2.

2. A format for a cause and effect paragraph:

   a) Write 1 clear topic sentence that mentions your element and have 3 effects from this element.

   b) Write 1 sentence that explains your first effect.

   c) Write 1-2 sentences that provide a clear and specific example of your first effect.

   d) Using a transition phrase, write 1 sentence that explains your second effect.

   e) Write 1-2 sentences that provide another specific example that supports your second effect.

   f) Using another transitional phrase, write 1 sentence that explains your third effect.

   g) Write 1-2 more sentence of a clear and specific example that supports your third effect.

   h) Write 1 closing sentence that seals off your paragraph.

3. Student example of a cause and effect paragraph that supports the above format. The lower case letters next to each sentence are simply the ingredients from the above format. Use the letters and the format as a checklist.

   (a)Sometimes stress causes a person to smoke; however, the effects of smoking are lung cancer, heart disease, and memory loss. (b) The first effect of smoking is lung cancer, which can shorten the life of a human being. (c) For example, my friend died when he was thirty from lung cancer; he smoked since he was thirteen. If he did not smoke, chances are he could have lived longer. (d) The second effect of smoking is heart disease because the chemicals in cigarettes thicken the blood, which prevents normal blood flow to the heart and could lead to poor performance in life. (e) For instance, my co-worker had to be let go of the job because he was diagnosed with heart disease from excessive smoking; he could not perform the intense work at the job. If he did not smoke, he could have continued working. (f) Finally, smoking can cause loss of memory because the smoke from cigarettes prevents oxygen from going to the brain. As a result, a person could fail at any task in life. (g) To illustrate, I have a classmate who always forgets to retain information from class. As it turns out, he has been smoking for years, and the doctors told him that his smoking is preventing normal oxygen flow to the brain, which is killing his brain cells. If he would quit, then he probably would be more successful as a student. (h) In conclusion, these are the negative effects of smoking.

4. Another student sample of a well developed and well focused cause and effect paragraph. The lower case letters next to each sentence are simply the ingredients from the format in step 2. Use the letters and the format as a checklist.

   (a)A person will usually start exercising if he or she feels out of shape; the effects of exercising are physical health, mental health, and a great looking body. (b) The first effect of exercise is physical health, which could prolong life. (c) For example, I was really obese and had high blood pressure, but after starting a daily routine of exercise, my physical weight became healthy and my blood pressure stabilized. (d) Another effect that exercise can have is mental health because it allows a person to release aggression, anxiety, and stress. (e) To illustrate, my friend was always angry and nervous about everything, but once she started exercising, she became so much more relaxed. Moving her body and muscles allowed her to focus on herself, rather than just work and school; exercise helped take her mind off of other issues. (f) Finally, exercise can have the effect of a great looking body, which can raise a person's self esteem and attract more attention. (g) For instance, I went to school with a guy who was out of shape and was never paid attention to by females; however once he started exercising, he got into shape and got many dates and became a model for a magazine. (h) In conclusion, the effects of exercising are very positive.

5. Always edit for content/organization and grammer/mechanical errors.

Tips & Warnings

• This is not the only way to write a cause and effect paragraph. This is only one format that helps with organizing thoughts and staying on topic.