Successful Learning Guide: Cause And Effect Papers
A cause and effect paper is a type of academic paper that primarily uses analysis to explore the reasons behind the outcomes of a specific topic. Cause and effect papers are written in a way that helps explain to readers about why certain outcomes about a specific topic may have happened or how it could have happened.
The cause and effect paper
The cause and effect paper is best used to explore the origins of something like an event or decision. It's also a good format for discovering the results or effects of that particular decision; some cause and effect papers cover both exploration angles.
A cause and effect paper can answer several questions about a specific topic for readers. According to an academic resource, those questions may include:
- Why did [the topic] happen?
- What resulted from [the topic] happening?
- What could happen as a result of [the topic] happening?
On an interesting note, the cause and effect paper doesn't have to include the cause and effect within the same paper. A cause and effect paper can be written exclusively about a cause or an effect. Most, however, cover both particular issues. This essay writing format provides an interesting way for students to explore different topics and their related issues.
Writing a cause and effect paper
The cause and effect paper can be a tricky assignment for students to complete. To successfully complete the paper, students need to understand how they can interpret the cause and/or effect of their topic.
Understanding cause
Finding the cause of a topic involves researching that topic. Start the research process by listing what they know about the origin of their topic (the cause).
After that, you can start researching the topic to find evidence that supports their assumptions through providing actual evidence regarding its cause. Some topics have multiple causes that relate to each other; include these causes and use several of them as important causes within the body of the cause and effect paper.
Understanding effect
Finding the effect of a specific topic involves the same process as finding the cause. Brainstorm before researching, and then start looking for supporting evidence that backs assumptions that you made and actual evidence that shows the effects from that topic.
Effects usually have wide reaching results, so it's important to note how certain effects maintained their lasting impact in relation to the topic. Multiple effects within the cause and effect paper should be limited to those that are relevant to the discussion.