Cause and Effect writing is a form of essay writing used to answer a question or thesis statement. The writer explores why or how something came to be using reasons -causes- and the results, outcomes, or effects of those causes. A good cause and effect essay requires research or very strong background knowledge.

Oftentimes the effect is also a cause in a chain of events that leads the writer to the answer to the main question or thesis of the essay. We call this a sequential chain of events. Sometimes the thesis is answered using a group of related but non-sequential reasons. Either method can produce an excellent essay.

Some thesis templates to guide your essay:

How did _________________ become so popular?

How has ________________ improved over the years?

Why is __________________ such a huge success?

Why was _______________ an important event in history?

Why are people afraid of _____________?