cause and effect essay 2021

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How to master the art of writing a successful cause and effect essay that captivates your readers and earns you top grades.

Are you intrigued by the interconnected nature of events and phenomena? Do you aspire to unravel the hidden threads that link causes to effects? Crafting a cause and outcome essay provides an excellent platform to explore and dissect these connections, allowing you to showcase your analytical skills and express your ideas with precision and clarity.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into the art of writing cause and outcome essays, equipping you with effective strategies, invaluable tips, and real-life examples that will help you master the craft. Whether you are a seasoned writer looking to enhance your skills or a beginner eager to embark on a new writing journey, this guide has got you covered.

Throughout this journey, we will navigate the intricate realm of cause and outcome relationships, examining how actions, events, and circumstances influence one another. We will explore the essential elements of a cause and outcome essay, honing in on the importance of a strong thesis statement, logical organization, and compelling evidence. By the end of this guide, you will possess the necessary tools to produce a captivating cause and outcome essay that engages your readers and leaves a lasting impact.

Tips for Writing a Cause and Effect Essay

When composing a paper that focuses on exploring the connections between actions and their consequences, there are several essential tips that can help you write a compelling cause and effect essay. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your essay is well-structured, clear, and effectively communicates your ideas.

By following these tips, you can enhance your ability to write a compelling cause and effect essay. Remember to analyze the causes and effects carefully, organize your ideas effectively, provide clear explanations, use transitional words, and proofread your essay to ensure a polished final piece of writing.

Understand the Purpose and Structure

One of the most important aspects of writing a cause and effect essay is understanding its purpose and structure. By understanding these key elements, you can effectively communicate the relationship between causes and effects, and present your argument in a clear and organized manner.

In a cause and effect essay, the purpose is to analyze the causes of a specific event or phenomenon and explain the effects that result from those causes. This type of essay is often used to explore the connections between different factors and to demonstrate how one event leads to another.

To structure your cause and effect essay, consider using a chronological or sequential order. Start by introducing the topic and providing some background information on the causes you will discuss. Then, present your thesis statement, which should clearly state your main argument or claim.

In the body paragraphs, discuss each cause or group of causes in a separate paragraph. Provide detailed explanations, examples, and evidence to support your claims. Make sure to use transitional words and phrases to guide the reader through your essay and to show the logical progression of causes and effects.

Finally, in the conclusion, summarize your main points and restate your thesis, reinforcing your overall argument. You can also discuss the broader implications of your analysis and suggest possible solutions or further research.

By understanding the purpose and structure of a cause and effect essay, you can effectively convey your ideas and arguments to your readers. This will help them follow your reasoning and see the connections between causes and effects, leading to a more convincing and impactful essay.

Choose a Topic

When embarking on the journey of writing a cause and effect essay, one of the first steps is to choose an engaging and relevant topic. The topic sets the foundation for the entire essay, determining the direction and scope of the content.

To select an effective topic, it is important to consider your interests, as well as the interests of your intended audience. Think about subjects that captivate you and inspire curiosity. Consider current events, personal experiences, or areas of study that pique your interest. By choosing a topic that you are genuinely passionate about, you will be more motivated to conduct thorough research and present compelling arguments.

Additionally, it is essential to select a topic that is relevant and meaningful. Identify an issue or phenomenon that has a clear cause-and-effect relationship, allowing you to explore the connections and consequences in depth. Look for topics that are timely and impactful, as this will ensure that your essay resonates with readers and addresses significant issues in society.

Moreover, a well-chosen topic should have enough depth and breadth to support a comprehensive analysis. Avoid selecting topics that are too broad or shallow, as this can make it challenging to delve into the causes and effects in a meaningful way. Narrow down your focus to a specific aspect or aspect of a broader topic to ensure that you have enough material to explore and analyze.

In conclusion, choosing a topic for your cause and effect essay is a critical step that will shape the entire writing process. By selecting a topic that aligns with your interests, is relevant and meaningful, and has enough depth and breadth, you will lay the foundation for a compelling and informative essay.

Conduct Thorough Research

Before diving into writing a cause and effect essay, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive research on the topic of your choice. This research phase will provide you with the necessary background information and context to develop a strong and well-supported essay.

During the research process, explore various sources such as books, academic journals, reputable websites, and credible news articles. Utilize synonyms for “research” like “investigate” or “explore” to keep your writing engaging and varied.

Avoid relying solely on a single source or biased information. Instead, strive to gather a variety of perspectives and data points that will enhance the credibility and validity of your essay.

Take notes as you research, highlighting key points, statistics, and quotes that you may want to include in your essay. Organize your findings in a clear and structured manner, making it easier to refer back to them as you begin writing.

Incorporating well-researched evidence and supporting examples into your cause and effect essay will lend credibility to your arguments, making them more persuasive and convincing. By conducting thorough research, you will be able to present a well-rounded and informed analysis of the topic you are writing about.

Create an Outline

One of the crucial steps in writing any type of essay, including cause and effect essays, is creating an outline. An outline helps to organize your thoughts and ideas before you start writing, ensuring that your essay has a clear and logical structure. In this section, we will discuss the importance of creating an outline and provide some tips on how to create an effective outline for your cause and effect essay.

When creating an outline, it is important to start with a clear understanding of the purpose and main points of your essay. Begin by identifying the main cause or event that you will be discussing, as well as its effects or consequences. This will serve as the foundation for your outline, allowing you to structure your essay in a logical and coherent manner.

Once you have identified the main cause and effects, it is time to organize your ideas into a clear and logical order. One effective way to do this is by using a table. Create a table with two columns, one for the cause and one for the effect. Then, list the main causes and effects in each column, using bullet points or short phrases. This will help you see the connections between the different causes and effects, making it easier to write your essay.

In addition to listing the main causes and effects, it is also important to include supporting details and examples in your outline. These can help to strengthen your argument and provide evidence for your claims. Include specific examples, facts, and statistics that support each cause and effect, and organize them under the relevant point in your outline.

Lastly, make sure to review and revise your outline before you start writing your essay. Check for any gaps in your logic or missing information, and make any necessary adjustments. Your outline should serve as a roadmap for your essay, guiding you through the writing process and ensuring that your essay is well-structured and coherent.

In conclusion, creating an outline is an essential step in writing a cause and effect essay. It helps to organize your thoughts and ideas, ensuring that your essay has a clear and logical structure. By identifying the main cause and effects, organizing your ideas into a table, including supporting details and examples, and reviewing your outline, you can create an effective outline that will guide you through the writing process.

Develop the Body Paragraphs

Once you have identified the main causes and effects of the topic you are writing about, it is time to develop your body paragraphs. In these paragraphs, you will present specific evidence and examples to support your claims. The body of your essay should be well-structured and focused, with each paragraph addressing a single cause or effect.

Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that clearly states the main point you will be discussing. Then, provide detailed explanations and evidence to support your argument. This can include statistics, research findings, expert opinions, or personal anecdotes. Remember to use clear and concise language to convey your ideas effectively.

In order to make your writing more coherent, you can use transition words and phrases to connect your ideas and create a logical flow between paragraphs. Words like “because”, “as a result”, “therefore”, and “consequently” can be used to show cause and effect relationships.

Additionally, it is important to use paragraph unity, which means that each paragraph should focus on a single cause or effect. Avoid including unrelated information or discussing multiple causes/effects in a single paragraph, as this can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.

Furthermore, consider using examples and evidence to enhance the clarity and persuasiveness of your arguments. Concrete examples and real-life scenarios can help illustrate the cause and effect relationship and make your writing more engaging to the reader.

• Use accurate data and precise details to back up your claims
• Include relevant research and studies to support your arguments
• Provide real-life examples and cases that demonstrate the cause and effect relationship

In conclusion, developing the body paragraphs of your cause and effect essay is crucial in presenting a well-structured and persuasive argument. By using topic sentences, clear explanations, transition words, and relevant evidence, you can effectively convey your ideas and convince the reader of the cause and effect relationship you are discussing.

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How to Write a Cause-and-Effect Essay

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Jun 7, 2021 • 2 min read

Cause-and-effect essay structure is a way of exploring relationships between ideas and events.

How To Write Cause And Effect Essay: Writing Guide

Table of contents

• 1.1 Effects-Focused Method
• 1.2 Causes-Focused Method
• 1.3 Causal Chain Method
• 2.1.1 Fun Cause and Effect Essay Topics
• 2.1.2 Interesting Cause and Effect Essay Topics
• 2.1.3 List Of Great Cause and Effect Essay Topics For College
• 2.2 Do Proper Research
• 2.3 Determine Causes and Effects
• 2.4 Start With an Outline
• 2.5 Introductory Paragraph:
• 2.6.1 Cause 1: Bullies have problems at home
• 2.6.2 Cause 2: Bullies seek attention
• 2.6.3 Cause 3: Bullies aspire to their superiority.
• 2.6.4 Effect:
• 2.7 Conclusion:
• 2.8 Write a Draft
• 2.9 Proofread Your Work
• 3.2 Effect:
• 3.3 Examples:
• 3.4 Examples:
• 4 Example of Cause and Effect Essay
• 5 Conclusion

Understanding the mechanics of a cause-effect essay is essential for enhancing your academic writing skills. These essays require critical thinking and a solid understanding of structure and format to arrive at conclusions while discussing cause-and-effect relationships. Explore all there is to know about cause and effect writing with our guide. You’ll get an overview, from its definition to helpful tips for crafting compelling pieces.

• A cause-and-effect essay is a tool that dissects the relationship between reasons something happens and its subsequent results
• Three main methods to structure a cause-and-effect essay and practical tips for writing.
• List of essential transitions for this type of essay, outline templates, and cause-and-effect essay sample.

Furthermore, by analyzing how different factors interact and influence each other. You can write a deep comprehension of complex issues and cultivate critical thinking skills that will be valuable in various aspects of your life. So, let us dive in and discover the fascinating world of cause-and-effect essays together!

What Is a Cause and Effect Essay

The cause-and-effect essay examines how one idea, individual, or circumstance impacts another. It can uncover connections that may not be immediately apparent and provide insight into the broader implications of a situation. Formulating a compelling concluding sentence requires extensive research and a thorough understanding of how various factors interact.

It is important to note that these types of essays are complex pieces of writing that require significant effort to produce. For those needing assistance, using a professional  cause-and-effect essay writing service is more than just recommended. It can be essential for success. With their expertise in crafting high-quality academic papers, these services can ensure that your paper meets all requirements and help you earn the grade you desire.

In conclusion, it is critical to understand such essays and how to approach them skillfully. It allows you to explore  fascinating cause-and-effect essay topics in depth using this unique style of argumentation. Whether examining historical possibilities or current trends in society, such essays provide a powerful tool for gaining insight into complex issues.

Developing the Ideal Structure for a Cause and Effect Essay

In a cause-and-effect paper, you can organize the body in various ways depending on the purpose and relatedness of causes and effects. The effects-focused approach describes multiple outcomes of a specific reason. The causes-focused method explores different factors contributing to the consequence. The causal chain method analyzes how an initial motive creates a chain reaction leading to other reasons and effects.

Regardless of the chosen method, a well-structured introduction should state the thesis statement and provide an overview. The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis while emphasizing the findings’ significance. Ultimately, the goal is to explore how events or situations affect our lives by examining their underlying causes & effects.

Effects-Focused Method

The effects-focused approach examines how one effect leads to a specific cause. If you choose this method, you should describe multiple consequences of a particular occasion or situation (the selected reason) in separate body paragraphs.

This approach is suitable when a single rationale can produce several ramifications that you explore and analyze independently to provide a comprehensive insight into the overall impact. In short, an effects-focused approach allows you to showcase the full extent of how an occasion or occurrence affects its surroundings.

Causes-Focused Method

It is crucial to begin a causes-focused essay with a clear introduction that explicitly explains how one or more causes lead to a single consequence. This structure sets the tone for the writing and provides readers with a framework for understanding the evidence presented in subsequent paragraphs. Instead of secondary causes, focus on primary reasons in the introduction. So readers can better understand the significance of each piece of evidence and how they all work together to create the final result.

Causal Chain Method

We use the causal chain method when events lead to one another in a logical sequence. This cause-and-effect essay format requires you to devote each body paragraph to an event caused by the preceding event. Then, repeat, leading to the next event. The main causes should build a chain, uniting the first and the last occasion in a logical sequence that explains the cause-and-effect process.

To sum up, the most suitable format for your essay can significantly impact how effectively you convey your ideas. If you find it challenging to write a cause-and-effect essay or are facing time constraints, seek assistance from professional writers at  Papersowl.com . We offer tailored services that save time and provide customized support to meet your requirements. With our expert guidance and support, you can rest assured that your essay will succeed!

How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay

Using your outline as a guide, introduce the body of your first draft by ensuring each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that supports your thesis statement.

Choose the Topic You Like

The initial step in creating the effect essay examples is to choose a topic that captures your interest. By doing so, you can make the research process more enjoyable and stay engaged throughout the writing process. The cause-and-effect approach is the simplest and most logical type of essay. Essay ideas are brought into a structure that is easy to access by anyone.

If you’re stuck on finding a compelling cause-and-effect topic, we hope our suggestions guide you into getting an A.

Fun Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• Drinking water is important for your heart and brain health
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of applying intelligence tests to students?
• What communication skills should a good teacher have?
• Buying expensive clothes can make you unhappy
• The color blue has a powerful impact on flies
• Milk can make you sleepy
• Toys are making adults much happier than children
• Drinking beer can improve your health
• Why do people love to travel?
• Decorating can make people happy
• Writing your memories and what you want to become in life can make your wishes come true
• Watching cartoons makes you an optimistic person
• Learning a new language stimulates your communication skills
• Adopting a dog can make you a more organized person
• People with big ears eat more

Interesting Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• Your immunity can be affected if you move to a country different from the one you were born
• The number of bees is decreasing every year, affecting nature’s balance
• Doing sports can make you sleepless
• Staying in the sun makes you healthier
• Being optimistic can make your health stronger
• Playing with dogs is recommended for people who are stressed
• Laughing increases your chances of succeeding in life
• Video games can make you smarter
• Facebook helps shy people
• Helping others change their way of thinking
• The color of your hair is proof of your IQ
• Global temperatures increase every year, and it affects people’s behavior
• Socializing increases your chances of being selected for an interview
• How can we stimulate creativity among students and what are the benefits?
• What are the main causes of school failure and how can they be removed?

List Of Great Cause and Effect Essay Topics For College

• How can we keep in mind student temperament in studying?
• Feminism – a start for changing the world for good
• Studying constantly makes your life easier
• A smartphone is a lifesaver – how can you use it?
• How population increases every year?
• Teenagers are more stressed than 20 years ago
• The importance of being independent under 30 years
• Recycling at least 1 kilo of garbage every week can save the planet
• Excellent food can make any student study better
• Liberties and responsibilities in democratic countries
• Rediscover and accept yourself after experiencing traumatic events
• Technology has helped people express themselves better
• In today’s world – is space still a barrier?
• How to become a CEO in 3 years?
• Are others’ opinions important for personal development?

Do Proper Research

Thorough research is crucial for well-informed cause-and-effect essays. Use reputable sources like academic journals, books, and credible websites to support your arguments and shed light on the topic’s relationship. This way, you can present a compelling argument that effectively communicates the cause-and-effect relationship to your audience.

Determine Causes and Effects

Analyzing the causes & effects of a topic can help you unfold a clear thesis statement for your essay, develop the body of your work, and highlight significant results related to that one cause. It also enables a more nuanced perspective on complex issues and provides insightful analysis. Moreover, it helps identify potential solutions or areas for further research. Understanding what’s causing an issue and proposing specific actions makes it easier to address it or explore new avenues.

Start With an Outline

Before delving into any cause-and-effect essay topics, create an outline to ensure your work is coherent and logically organized. Include all main ideas, especially those related to cause or effect. Each body paragraph should focus on a specific point supported by evidence and examples. Discussing potential counterarguments in your outline can strengthen your argument and anticipate objections from readers.

A concise layout ensures that your essay is easy to follow and effectively conveys your ideas to your audience. To craft an engaging introduction for your cause-and-effect essay, start by grabbing the reader’s attention with a hook to set the tone for the rest of your work. It could be in the form of an interesting statistic, anecdote, or quote that relates to your topic. From there, provide some background information on the matter before presenting your thesis statement. This should clearly state the causes and effects you will discuss in your essay.

In the conclusion of your cause-effect essay, you have to summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis statement in a way that emphasizes its significance. You can also provide some final thoughts or insights on the topic, leaving the reader with something to ponder.

It is essential to ensure that your conclusion does not introduce new ideas or information but ties everything together and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. By following these tips for crafting an effective cause-and-effect essay outline, you will be well on your way to producing a compelling piece of writing. It will effectively convey your message to your audience. Let us delve into an example:

Introductory Paragraph:

• The prevalence of bullying in schools is staggering, with almost 80% of children affected by this harmful behavior. Addressing this pervasive issue requires our urgent attention and concerted efforts.
• The education system needs to understand the underlying causes of this problem and take proactive measures to address it.

Cause 1: Bullies have problems at home

• Children who experience abuse or neglect at home may act out their frustration on others.

Cause 2: Bullies seek attention

• A common trait among bullies is their tendency to exhibit aggressive behavior to gain attention and establish dominance.

Cause 3: Bullies aspire to their superiority.

• Bullies may resort to aggressive behavior to exert power and control over others. Bullying may originate from deep-seated personal insecurities, creating feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness. They may temporarily feel a sense of superiority and validation by inflicting pain on others. But this ultimately perpetuates a cycle of harm that can have lasting adverse effects on both the victim and the bully.
• Bullying undermines the educational experience for victims, leading to increased anxiety, depression, decreased academic performance, and, tragically, even suicide.

Conclusion:

To effectively tackle the widespread issue of bullying, it is crucial to gain a thorough insight into the underlying root causes. Only after that can we implement effective strategies and interventions to combat this harmful behavior and create safer environments for all. Creating safe learning environments that discourage such behavior requires joint efforts from parents, teachers, and society. By approaching the issue with compassion and insight into its underlying causes, we can significantly reduce the incidence of bullying in schools. And also prevent its negative impact on individuals’ physical and mental health.

To ensure consistency throughout the essay, please adhere to the following guidelines for all body paragraphs and the paper outline:

• Times New Roman font
• Double-spacing
• Justified alignment

When structuring your essay, begin with the most significant causes. We recommended that you explore various topic ideas to identify the most compelling ones. Additionally, incorporating multiple effects is permissible. A thorough understanding of cause-and-effect papers is essential for this assignment.

Write a Draft

Using your outline as a guide, introduce your first draft. Ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that supports your cause-and-effect thesis statement .

Proofread Your Work

Finally, proofread every sentence and edit your writing for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and overall essay coherence. This ensures that your essay is well-written and ready for submission.

Follow these steps to produce an excellent cause-effect essay with compelling arguments highlighting your critical thinking and communication skills.

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Cause and Effect Structure Words

Cause-and-effect essay structure words are terms that show cause-and-effect relationships. To ensure clarity, it is essential to precisely identify the distinct causality (or reason) and the result and use appropriate transitions. It is important to remember that the cause happens first, followed by the outcome.

To follow are some common cause-and-effect structure words. “X” stands for the reasons, while “Y” indicates the outcome.

Remember that using proper structure words can help you communicate your ideas with your readers. It makes it easier for them to understand how different pieces of evidence or actions lead to specific outcomes or consequences.

Example of Cause and Effect Essay

NFT, or non-fungible tokens, have become a hot topic in the world of art, and their impact on the art industry is a cause-and-effect relationship worth exploring.

One of the main effects of NFTs on the art world is the potential for increased revenue for artists. With NFTs, artists can sell their digital art as unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that cannot be replicated, and collectors can purchase them as a form of investment. This has the potential to create a new revenue stream for artists who may have previously struggled to monetize their digital creations.

Another effect of NFTs on art is the potential for greater transparency and authenticity. Because NFTs are created on a blockchain, they provide a secure and verifiable record of ownership and provenance. This can help to reduce the risk of fraud and ensure that artists are properly credited and compensated for their work.

Moreover, the rise of NFTs has also created a new market for digital art, which was previously undervalued or dismissed as less valuable than traditional physical artwork. As a result, digital artists have gained greater recognition and respect within the art world.

However, there are also concerns about the environmental impact of NFTs. The process of creating and selling NFTs requires a significant amount of energy and contributes to carbon emissions. This has led to criticism from some artists and activists who are concerned about the impact on the environment.

Additionally, there are also concerns about the accessibility of NFTs. While they have the potential to provide a new revenue stream for artists, the high cost of purchasing and creating NFTs may exclude many artists and collectors who cannot afford to participate in this market.

In conclusion, the rise of NFTs has had a significant impact on the art world, creating new opportunities for artists to monetize their digital creations and increasing the value and recognition of digital art. However, there are also concerns about the environmental impact of NFTs and the potential exclusivity of this market. As the use of NFTs continues to grow and evolve, it is important to consider these effects and address any negative consequences to ensure a sustainable and equitable future for the art industry.

Writing a cause-and-effect essay can be challenging. It demands critical thinking skills and a comprehensive understanding of its arrangement and format. However, mastering this type of essay is crucial. It helps improve academic writing skills and enables individuals to comprehend complex issues more deeply. Choosing the appropriate structure for the paper can make all the difference in how effectively you communicate your opinion in sentences.

It is key to identify the key reasons and effects of the matter based on thorough research findings to create a clear thesis statement. With the right approach, anyone can compose high-quality cause-and-effect essays. They’ll provide valuable insights into the causal relationship between various pieces of evidence, individuals, or events.

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Cause and Effect Essay Outline: Types, Examples and Writing Tips

20 June, 2020

9 minutes read

Author:  Tomas White

This is a complete guide on writing cause and effect essays. Find a link to our essay sample at the end. Let's get started!

What is a Cause and Effect Essay?

A cause and effect essay is the type of paper that the author is using to analyze the causes and effects of a particular action or event. A curriculum usually includes this type of exercise to test your ability to understand the logic of certain events or actions.

If you can see the logic behind cause and effect in the world around you, you will encounter fewer problems when writing. If not, writing this kind of paper will give you the chance to improve your skillset and your brain’s ability to reason.

“Shallow men believe in luck or in circumstance. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

In this article, the  Handmade Writing team will find out how to create an outline for your cause and effect essay – the key to successful essay writing.

Types of the Cause and Effect Essay

Before writing this kind of essay, you need to draft the structure. A good structure will result in a good paper, so it’s important to have a plan before you start. But remember , there’s no need to reinvent the wheel: just about every type of structure has already been formulated by someone.

If you are still unsure about the definition of an essay, you can take a look at our guide:  What is an Essay?

Generally speaking, there are three types of cause and effect essays. We usually differentiate them by the number of and relationships between the different causes and the effects. Let’s take a quick look at these three different cases:

1. Many causes, one effect

This kind of essay illustrates how different causes can lead to one effect. The idea here is to try and examine a variety of causes, preferably ones that come from different fields, and prove how they contributed to a particular effect. If you are writing about World War I, for example, mention the political, cultural, and historical factors that led to the great war.

By examining a range of fundamental causes, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge about the topic.

Here is how to structure this type of essay:

• Introduction
• Cause #3 (and so on…)
• The effect of the causes

2. One cause, many effects

This type of cause and effect essay is constructed to show the various effects of a particular event, problem, or decision. Once again, you will have to demonstrate your comprehensive knowledge and analytical mastery of the field. There is no need to persuade the reader or present your argument . When writing this kind of essay, in-depth knowledge of the problem or event’s roots will be of great benefit. If you know why it happened, it will be much easier to write about its effects.

Here is the structure for this kind of essay:

• Effect #3 (and so on…)

3. Chain of causes and effects

This is the most challenging type. You need to maintain a chain of logic that demonstrates a sequence of actions and consequences, leading to the end of the chain. Although this is usually the most interesting kind of cause and effect essay, it can also be the most difficult to write.

Here is the outline structure:

• Effect #1 = Cause #2
• Effect #2 = Cause #3
• Effect #3 = Cause #4 (and so on…)

Cause and Effect Essay Outline Example

Let’s take a look at an example. Below, you will find an outline for the topic “The causes of obesity” (Type 1) :

As you can see, we used a blended strategy here. When writing about the ever-increasing consumption of unhealthy food, it is logical to talk about the marketing strategies that encourage people to buy fast food. If you are discussing fitness trainers, it is important to mention that people need to be checked by a doctor more often, etc.

In case you face some issues with writing your Cause and Effect essay, you can always count on our Essay Writers !

How do I start writing once I have drafted the structure?

If you start by structuring each paragraph and collecting suitable examples, the writing process will be much simpler. The final essay might not come up as a classic five paragraph essay – it all depends on the cause-effect chain and the number of statements of your essay.

In the Introduction, try to give the reader a general idea of what the cause and effect essay will contain. For an experienced reader, a thesis statement will be an indication that you know what you are writing about. It is also important to emphasize how and why this problem is relevant to modern life. If you ever need to write about the Caribbean crisis, for instance, state that the effects of the Cold War are still apparent in contemporary global politics. 

Related Post: How to write an Essay introduction | How to write a Thesis statement

In the Body, provide plenty of details about what causes led to the effects. Once again, if you have already assembled all the causes and effects with their relevant examples when writing your plan, you shouldn’t have any problems. But, there are some things to which you must pay particular attention. To begin with, try to make each paragraph the same length: it looks better visually. Then, try to avoid weak or unconvincing causes. This is a common mistake, and the reader will quickly realize that you are just trying to write enough characters to reach the required word count.

Moreover, you need to make sure that your causes are actually linked to their effects. This is particularly important when you write a “chained” cause and effect essay (type 3) . You need to be able to demonstrate that each cause was actually relevant to the final result. As I mentioned before, writing the Body without preparing a thorough and logical outline is often an omission.

The Conclusion must be a summary of the thesis statement that you proposed in the Introduction. An effective Conclusion means that you have a well-developed understanding of the subject. Notably, writing the Conclusion can be one of the most challenging parts of this kind of project. You typically write the Conclusion once you have finished the Body, but in practice, you will sometimes find that a well-written conclusion will reveal a few mistakes of logic in the body!

Cause and Effect Essay Sample

Be sure to check the sample essay, completed by our writers. Use it as an example to write your own cause and effect essay. Link: Cause and effect essay sample: Advertising ethic issues .

Tips and Common Mistakes from Our Expert Writers

Check out Handmadewriting paper writing Guide to learn more about academic writing!

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How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay

Last Updated: September 20, 2022 Approved

This article was co-authored by Tristen Bonacci . Tristen Bonacci is a Licensed English Teacher with more than 20 years of experience. Tristen has taught in both the United States and overseas. She specializes in teaching in a secondary education environment and sharing wisdom with others, no matter the environment. Tristen holds a BA in English Literature from The University of Colorado and an MEd from The University of Phoenix. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 133,150 times.

A cause and effect essay requires that you examine a particular situation or event and determine a causal relationship. Start by choosing a particular topic. Then, conduct your preliminary research and take notes to incorporate into your essay. When you are finished researching, create an outline based upon your thesis statement and write an initial draft. Edit your draft closely and ask another person to do so as well.

Getting Ready to Write

• If you write down the details yourself make sure to keep this piece of paper in a safe location as you will need to consult it throughout the writing process.

• For example, you may be asked to write about the causes of the American Revolution, which means that you will discuss taxation protests and other contributing factors. Or, you may be asked to write about the effects of the American Revolution, which means that you will discuss nation-building and other long and short-term effects. A combined cause and effect essay would combine both of these angles.

• Double check that your idea is within the given subject parameters outlined by the teacher for the assignment.
• Consider writing about moments that are close to your own experience, such as events that have impacted your life. For example, you could discuss a war period that you lived through. Or, you could take on a controversial topic, such as the proven effects of eating fast food on a regular basis. Taking a historical angle and looking into events like the American Revolution is another possible approach.
• Be flexible in adjusting your topic breadth or depth as you work on your paper. At any point in the process, you may need to add or delete particular discussions to fit the requirements. For example, if you are writing about the actions of George Washington during the American Revolution, you may need to narrow your focus and only discuss one particular choice that he made.

• These texts are usually great places to research your topic further.

• Check that your sources fall within the guidelines given by your teacher for the assignment.
• If you are covering a recent topic, such as the effects of fast food production, you may be able to use first-hand accounts, also known as primary sources, in your work.

• A good question might be, “Is there a minimum source number for this assignment?” Just make sure that the question that you ask is not already answered in the assignment sheet.

Constructing the Initial Essay

• A thesis statement can be a single sentence or multiple sentences, depending on what you need to cover. It cannot be a quote, a basic statement of fact, or a question.
• As you are trying to craft your thesis statement it is helpful to consider what your evidence indicates about your topic. What causes and/or effects are clearly illustrated by your sources? For example, if a number of your sources discuss stock market issues as a cause of the Great Depression, then you may argue that, “Stock market instabilities, in part, led to the Great Depression.”

• While 3 ideas are typical for a 5-paragraph essay, you may find you have more ideas you want to include. Depending upon your topic and the length of your paper, scale up the number of ideas as needed.
• Be pretty flexible with your initial outline as you will find areas that you will need to expand or cut when you actually start writing.
• It may seem easier at first but you never have to limit yourself to the five-paragraph essay format, unless your teacher expressly requests that you do so. Otherwise, feel free to add additional paragraphs, up until the page limit, to create a stronger argument.

• You can get a reader interested in your subject by opening with a vivid quote, exciting source, or quick anecdote. Just keep it brief. Your intro should only be a fairly short paragraph in comparison to the body ones.

• Don’t forget to add at least a paragraph explaining to the reader why these connections are important to them on an individual or group level. You could also mention this in the cause-and-effect paragraph. This is an opportunity to make an educated statement about what the long and short term implications of this cause/effect cycle will be. Basically, why should we care?

• For example, if you argue that the Great Depression caused a rise in unemployment you will need to have statistics to support this perspective. After all, unemployment existed before and after the event in question, so the causal relationship is what must be clarified.

• For instance, if you are writing about the causes of the Great Depression you will want to discuss the stock market but also the income gap. Or, if you choose to focus solely on the Great Depression/stock market relationship then somewhere in your paper you’ll want to acknowledge the other possible causes while stating that you’ve chosen this particular focus.
• Points you are proving may be major or minor. The goal is simply to explain how they affect the causal relationship.

Polishing Your Final Draft

• This is another reason why it is best to not procrastinate when writing an essay of this type. You will need ample time to complete the process in a patient way in order to create your best possible work.

• You might say, “Please focus on the word choice as that is a weakness of mine.”

• Some people find it helpful to print out your paper at this point and make your revisions on a hard copy. This can also protect you in the event that you experience any computer troubles.
• One strategy is to split your revisions into two parts: one revision for grammar and spelling and another to examine the organization and content of your paper.

Expert Q&A

• It is sometimes helpful to read your paper aloud while editing. This allows you to catch errors that might otherwise slip by you. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• You can also ask your teacher to look over your first draft as well if they are willing to do so. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Be very careful not to plagiarize or commit any type of academic honesty. Produce your own work and ask your teacher for help if you need it. [12] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Make sure to save your paper as you continue to work. Computer problems do happen and you don’t want to lose your work as a result. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/style_purpose_strategy/cause_effort.html
• ↑ Tristen Bonacci. Licensed English Teacher. Expert Interview. 21 December 2021.
• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/02/
• ↑ http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/causeeff.php
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/editing-and-proofreading/
• ↑ https://student.unsw.edu.au/editing-your-essay

About this article

To write a cause and effect essay, start by choosing a topic that interests you, such as the effects of eating fast food. Next, come up with a thesis statement, which is the argument you plan to make. Then, start with a paragraph that introduces the reader to the general topic and presents your thesis in the final sentence or two. After the introduction, write your body paragraphs, making sure to write 1 paragraph for each point of your argument. Finally, end with a conclusion that summarizes your thesis and main supporting points. For more tips from our Educational co-author, like how to conduct background research on your topic, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay: Full Guide

Ever wondered how things are connected in our world? Think of the butterfly effect—where a butterfly's wings in Brazil can set off a tornado in Texas. It's a quirky idea, but it shows how events are intertwined. Writing a cause and effect essay is like unraveling these connections, connecting the dots to reveal how things influence each other and shape our experiences.

In this guide, experts from our paper writing service will explore the concept of causality and share practical tips for creating great cause and effect essays. These essays won't just provide information—they'll leave a lasting impression on your readers.

What Is a Cause and Effect Essay

A cause and effect essay is a form of writing that aims to explore and explain the relationships between different events, actions, or circumstances. The central idea is to investigate why certain things happen (causes) and what results from those occurrences (effects). It's like peeling back the layers to reveal the interconnectedness of events, understanding the domino effect in the narrative of life.

Here's a breakdown of the key components:

• Causes: These are the factors or events that initiate a particular situation. They are the reasons behind why something occurs. For instance, if you're exploring the cause of obesity, factors like unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity could be identified as causes.
• Effects: The effects are the outcomes or consequences that result from the identified causes. Following the obesity example, effects could include health issues, reduced quality of life, or increased healthcare costs.
• Connection: The heart of a cause and effect essay lies in demonstrating the link between causes and effects. It's not just about listing events but explaining how one event leads to another in a logical and coherent manner.

When crafting such an essay, you're essentially acting as a storyteller and investigator rolled into one. Your goal is to guide the reader through the web of interconnected events, providing insights into the 'why' and 'what happens next.'

How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay with Easy Steps

Understanding how to write a cause and effect essay is like putting together a puzzle. Here are ten simple steps to help you write an engaging essay that looks into how things are connected.

1. Select a Specific Topic

• Choose a cause and effect relationship that sparks your interest.
• Ensure your topic is focused and manageable for a thorough exploration.

2. Explore Causal Links

• Conduct thorough research to uncover hidden connections and supporting evidence.
• Look beyond the obvious to identify intricate relationships between causes and effects.

3. Craft a Clear Thesis Statement

• Develop a precise thesis that clearly articulates the main cause and the resulting effects.
• Your thesis serves as the roadmap for your essay, guiding readers through your analysis.

4. Organize Chronologically or by Significance

• Structure your essay in a logical order, either chronologically or by the significance of events.
• This organization enhances clarity and helps readers follow the cause-and-effect progression.

5. Utilize Transitional Phrases

• Employ transition words and phrases to ensure seamless flow between causes and effects.
• Clear transitions enhance readability and strengthen the coherence of your essay.

6. Support Arguments with Credible Evidence

• Back up your claims with relevant data, examples, and statistics.
• Strong evidence adds credibility to your analysis and reinforces the cause-and-effect relationships you present.

7. Illustrate Chain Reactions

• Show how a single cause can trigger a chain of effects, and vice versa.
• Illustrate the ripple effects to emphasize the complexity of the relationships.

8. Analyze Root Causes

• Move beyond surface-level explanations and explore the underlying factors contributing to the cause-and-effect scenario.
• Deep analysis adds depth and nuance to your essay.

9. Consider Alternative Causes

• Address potential counterarguments to showcase a comprehensive understanding.
• Acknowledging alternative causes strengthens your essay's overall credibility.

10. Conclude with Impact

• Summarize key points and emphasize the broader significance of your analysis.
• Leave your readers with a thought-provoking conclusion that ties together the cause-and-effect relationships explored in your essay.

Cause and Effect Essay Structure Types

When setting up your essay, you can choose from different structures to make it organized. Let's look at two common types of cause and effect essay structures:

• Block Structure:

The block structure is a clear and organized way to present causes and effects in your essay. Here, you dedicate one section to discussing all the causes, covering multiple causes within each category. After that, you have another section to explore all the effects. This separation makes your ideas easy to understand.

Using the block structure allows you to dive deep into each category, thoroughly looking at causes and effects separately. It's handy when you want to give a detailed analysis and show the importance of each part of the causal relationship. This way, readers can fully grasp each element before moving on.

• Chain Structure:

On the other hand, the chain structure focuses on how events are connected and create ripple effects. It highlights how one cause leads to a specific effect, and that effect becomes the cause of more effects in an ongoing chain. This method is potent for illustrating the complexity of causal relationships.

The chain structure works well when you want to emphasize the sequence of events or deal with intricate cause-and-effect scenarios. It allows you to show how actions trigger a series of reactions, displaying the domino effect that leads to a specific outcome.

Regardless of the structural style you choose, if you require assistance with your academic paper, reach out to us with your ' write my paper for me ' request. Our experienced team is ready to tailor your paper to your specific requirements and ensure its excellence.

Cause and Effect Essay Outline

Creating an effective cause and effect essay begins with a well-structured outline. This roadmap helps you organize your thoughts, maintain a logical flow, and ensure that your essay effectively conveys the causal relationships between events. Below, we'll outline the key components of the essay along with examples:

I. Introduction

• Hook: Start with an engaging statement or fact. Example: 'Did you know that stress can significantly impact your overall health?'
• Background Information: Provide context for your topic. Example: 'In today's fast-paced world, stress has become an increasingly prevalent issue.'
• Thesis Statement: Clearly state the main cause and its corresponding effects. Example: 'This essay will explore the causes of stress and their profound negative effects on physical and mental health.'

II. Body Paragraphs

• Topic Sentence: Introduce the first cause you'll discuss. Example: 'One major cause of stress is heavy workload.'
• Supporting Details: Provide evidence and examples to support the cause. Example: 'For instance, individuals juggling multiple job responsibilities and tight deadlines often experience heightened stress levels.'
• Transition: Link to the next cause or move on to the effects.
• Topic Sentence: Introduce the first effect. Example: 'The effects of chronic stress on physical health can be devastating.'
• Supporting Details: Present data or examples illustrating the impact. Example: 'Studies have shown that prolonged stress can lead to cardiovascular problems, including hypertension and heart disease.'
• Transition: Connect to the next effect or cause.

C. Causes (Continued)

• Topic Sentence: Introduce the next cause in a new cause and effect paragraph. Example: 'Another significant cause of stress is financial strain.'
• Supporting Details: Explain how this cause manifests and its implications. Example: 'Financial instability often results in anxiety, as individuals worry about bills, debts, and their financial future.'
• Transition: Prepare to discuss the corresponding effects.

D. Effects (Continued)

• Topic Sentence: Discuss the effects related to financial strain. Example: 'The psychological effects of financial stress can be profound.'
• Supporting Details: Offer real-life examples or psychological insights. Example: 'Depression and anxiety are common consequences of constant financial worries, affecting both mental well-being and daily life.'

III. Conclusion

• Restate Thesis: Summarize the main cause and effects. Example: 'In summary, the heavy workload and financial strain can lead to stress, impacting both physical and mental health.'
• Closing Thoughts: Reflect on the broader significance of your analysis. Example: 'Understanding these causal relationships emphasizes the importance of stress management and financial planning in maintaining a balanced and healthy life.'

Cause and Effect Essay Examples

To help you grasp cause and effect essay writing with clarity, we have prepared two distinct essay examples that will guide you through the intricacies of both block and chain structures. Additionally, should you ever find yourself requiring assistance with academic writing or descriptive essays examples , simply send us your ' write my research paper ' request. Our expert writers are here to provide the support you need!

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Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Choosing a good topic starts with recognizing cause and effect key words. Here are 10 interesting topics that let you dig into fascinating connections and their important consequences:

• The Relationship Between Lack of Exercise and Mental Health in Older Adults
• Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Workplace Productivity
• The Impact of Cyberbullying on Adolescents' Emotional Well-being
• Influence of Social Media Advertising on Consumer Purchasing Decisions
• Consequences of Oil Spills on Coastal Ecosystems
• How Noise Pollution Affects Concentration and Academic Performance in Schools
• The Connection Between Fast-Food Marketing and Childhood Obesity
• Effects of Urbanization on Water Quality in Local Rivers
• The Relationship Between Indoor Plants and Air Quality in Homes
• Impact of Plastic Pollution on Wildlife in Urban Environments
• The Effect of Meditation on Stress Reduction in College Students
• How Increased Screen Time Affects Teenagers' Attention Span
• The Impact of Single-Use Plastics on Marine Microorganisms
• The Relationship Between Smartphone Use and Sleep Quality in Adults
• Effects of High-Fructose Corn Syrup on Metabolic Health
• The Consequences of Deforestation on Local Biodiversity
• Influence of Social Media Comparison on Body Dissatisfaction in Adolescents
• The Connection Between Air Pollution and Respiratory Health in Urban Areas
• Effects of Excessive Gaming on Academic Performance in High School Students
• The Impact of Fast Food Consumption on Childhood Obesity Rates

Final Words

Knowing what a cause and effect essay is and how to write it helps you uncover connections in different topics. With this guide, you can share your ideas in a clear and impactful way.

Meanwhile, if you're in need of a reaction paper example , rest assured we have you covered as well. So, seize this opportunity, put your thoughts on paper logically, and witness your essays leaving a lasting and influential mark.

Let's Turn Those 'What Ifs' into 'A+ Ifs'!

Don't procrastinate when you can cause an effect on your grades right now!

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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One essay option for this assignment: Speculating About Causes

English 121—Crerand

Essay 5: Speculating About Causes

Write a paper speculating about the causes of an important or intriguing phenomenon or trend (not an event or a fad), explaining to an audience of your choice WHY it has occurred. Describe and identify your subject, demonstrate its existence with concrete evidence if necessary, and speculate about the possible causes of it. Your purpose is not necessarily to prove that all your proposed causes are scientifically true, but to convince your readers that your proposed causes are the major ones and that they are plausible.  

REQUIREMENTS:

·          A phenomenon is something notable about the human condition or the social order (i.e. why people love horror movies).   A trend is a significant change extended over months or years, typically identified by some sort of measurable increase or decrease (i.e. the increase in adoptions over the past decade).   While a trend indicates a significant change, a phenomenon, then, is a more of a stable state.  

·          Choose a phenomenon or trend that you are interested in and write out a table of causes and analyses to see what you know about it.   List all the possible causes and select the most promising ones.   Do some research if you need more information.   With your readers in mind, decide how to arrange the causes you have selected in order to make the most convincing explanation of your subject.

·          The basic parts of this paper are: (a) an explanation of the phenomenon/trend in the introduction for context; (b) a presentation of two to three proposed causes with evidence for each; (c) a consideration of readers' objections, questions, or reservations to such causes; and (d) a consideration of alternative causes if possible in the conclusion.

·          If you think your readers know very little about your subject, begin your essay by demonstrating the existence of the phenomenon or trend with evidence.

·          While arguing for your proposed causes, you do not have to prove that your explanations are scientifically true, but you must convince the readers that they are plausible or believable . To achieve this, you must present evidence in support of each proposed cause and organize your causal arguments in a logical order that will be easy for your readers to follow.   Remember our in class discussion of maps vs. tours of your houses in relation to Writer Based Prose.   You want to give your audience a map of the essay first in your introduction and thesis statement.  

·          You can present some obvious causes to establish common ground with your readers as King did in his essay.   However like King, in order to be successful in speculating about the causes, you have to be creative enough to come up with at least one not-so-obvious or “hidden” cause so as to show that you have the ability to make your readers look at the phenomenon or trend in a new way, and to challenge them to think more deeply and to experience explanations beyond the obvious and familiar ones.

·          Finally, be sure to take your readers’ values and beliefs into account, deal with some possible alternative causes, and anticipate any possible objections to and questions about your proposed causes by either accommodating or refuting them as you see fit. In other words, include a counterargument!

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Cause & effect essays Aka reason and result

The Cause and effect essay is another common essay type, either as an essay type on its own, or as part of a larger essay which includes one or more paragraphs examining causes and effects. This page gives information on what a cause and effect essay is , how to structure this type of essay, and how to use cause and effect structure words (transition signals) for this type of essay. There is also an example cause and effect essay on the topic of women at work, as well as some exercises to help you practice this area.

What are cause & effect essays?

For another look at the same content, check out YouTube » or Youku » , or this infographic » .

A cause and effect essay looks at the reasons (or causes) for something, then discusses the results (or effects). For this reason, cause and effect essays are sometimes referred to as reason and result essays. They are one of the most common forms of organisation in academic writing. Sometimes the whole essay will be cause and effect, though sometimes this may be only part of the whole essay. It is also possible, especially for short exam essays, that only the causes or the effects, not both, are discussed. See the examples below.

• Discuss the causes and effects of global warming ['cause and effect' essay]
• Explain the high death rate in Chernobyl ['causes' only essay]
• Discuss the WTO and its effects on the Chinese economy ['effects' only essay]

There are two main ways to structure a cause and effect essay. These are similar to the ways to structure problem-solution essays , namely using a block or a chain structure. For the block structure, all of the causes are listed first, and all of the effects are listed afterwards. For the chain structure, each cause is followed immediately by the effect. Usually that effect will then be the cause of the next effect, which is why this structure is called 'chain'. Both types of structure have their merits. The former is generally clearer, especially for shorter essays, while the latter ensures that any effects you present relate directly to the causes you have given.

The two types of structure, block and chain , are shown in the diagram below.

Cause and Effect Structure Words

Cause and effect structure words are transition signals which show the cause and effect relationships. It is important to be clear which is the cause (or reason) and which is the effect (or result), and to use the correct transition word or phrase. Remember that a cause happens first , and the effect happens later .

Below are some common cause and effect structure words. X is used to indicate a cause, while Y is used to indicate the effect.

• The first cause of (Y) is (X)
• The next reason is (X)
• Because of (X), (Y)
• As a result of (X), (Y)
• As a consequence of (X), (Y)
• because/since/as (X)
• to result from (X)
• (X) results in (Y)
• to be the result of (X)
• (Y) is due to (X)
• Owing to (X), (Y)
• (Y) is because of (X)
• (Y) is the effect of (X)
• (Y) is the consequence of (X)
• Worsening pollution levels in cities are due to the increased use of cars.
• Because of the increased use of cars, pollution levels in cities are worsening.
• As a result of the increased use of cars, pollution levels in cities are worsening.
• The effect of the increased use of cars is a worsening of pollution levels in cities.
• The first effect of (X) is (Y)
• Another result of (X) is (Y)
• As a result, (Y)
• As a consequence, (Y)
• Consequently (Y)
• Therefore, (Y)
• (X) causes (Y)
• (X) has an effect on (Y)
• (X) affects (Y)
• (X) is one of the causes of (Y)
• (X) is the reason for (Y)
• Cars are used increasingly for urban transport. As a consequence , pollution levels in cities are worsening.
• Increased use of cars for urban transport adversely affects pollution levels in cities.
• Increased use of cars for urban transport is one of the causes of worsening pollution levels in cities.

Example essay

Below is a cause and effect essay. This essay uses the block structure . Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay, i.e. Causes, Effects, and structure words. This will highlight not simply the paragraphs, but also the thesis statement and summary , as these repeat the causes and effects contained in the main body.

Title: 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?

In the past, most women stayed at home to take care of domestic chores such as cooking or cleaning. Women's liberation and feminism have meant that this situation has been transformed and in contemporary society women are playing an almost equal role to men in terms of work. This has had significant consequences , both in terms of the family , for example by improving quality of life and increasing children's sense of independence , and also for society itself with greater gender equality . 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 popularised by authors such as Simone de Beauvoir. As a consequence of this, new legislation emerged, granting women equal rights to men in many fields, in particular employment. Because of feminist ideas, men have taken up roles which were previously seen as being for women only, most importantly those related to child rearing. As a result of this, women have more time to pursue their own careers and interests. These have led to some significant effects, both to family life and to society as a whole. Although the earning capacity of a woman in her lifetime is generally much less than that of a man, she can nevertheless make a significant contribution to the family income. The most important consequence of this is an improved quality of life. By helping to maintain a steady income for the family, the pressure on the husband is considerably reduced, hence improving both the husband's and the wife's emotional wellbeing. Additionally, the purchasing power of the family will also be raised. This means that the family can afford more luxuries such as foreign travel and a family car. A further effect 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. As regards society, the most significant impact of women going to work is greater gender equality. There are an increasing number of women who are becoming politicians, lawyers, and even CEOs and company managers. This in turn has led to greater equality for women in all areas of life, not just employment. For example, women today have much stronger legal rights to protect themselves against domestic violence and sexual discrimination in the workplace. In conclusion, 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 itself. It is clear that the sexes are still a long way from being equal in all areas of life, however, and perhaps the challenge for the present century is to ensure that this takes place.

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Below is a checklist for cause and effect essays. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.

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Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .

Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.

Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).

Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.

Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).

Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.

Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.

24 Cause and Effect

It is often considered human nature to ask, “why?” and “how?” We want to know how our child got sick so we can better prevent it from happening in the future, or why our colleague received a pay raise because we want one as well. We want to know how much money we will save over the long term if we buy a hybrid car. These examples identify only a few of the relationships we think about in our lives, but each shows the importance of understanding cause and effect.

A cause is something that produces an event or condition; an effect is what results from an event or condition. The purpose of the  cause-and-effect essay  is to determine how various phenomena relate in terms of origins and results. Sometimes the connection between cause and effect is clear, but often determining the exact relationship between the two is very difficult. For example, the following effects of a cold may be easily identifiable: a sore throat, a runny nose, and a cough. But, determining the cause of the sickness can be far more difficult. A number of causes are possible, and to complicate matters, these possible causes could have combined to cause the sickness. That is, more than one cause may be responsible for any given effect. Therefore, cause-and-effect discussions are often complicated and frequently lead to debates and arguments.

Use the complex nature of cause and effect to your advantage. Often it is not necessary, or even possible, to find the exact cause of an event or to name the exact effect. So, when formulating a thesis, you can claim one of a number of causes or effects to be the primary, or main, cause or effect. As soon as you claim that one cause or one effect is more crucial than the others, you have developed a thesis.

Consider the causes and effects in the following thesis statements. Identify whether each statement is identifying a cause or an effect. Then, list a cause and effect for each one on your own sheet of paper.

• The growing childhood obesity epidemic is a result of technology.
• Much of the wildlife is dying because of the oil spill.
• The town continued programs that it could no longer afford, so it went bankrupt.
• More young people became politically active as use of the Internet spread throughout society.
• While many experts believed the rise in violence was because of the poor economy, it was really because of the summer-long heat wave.

Write three cause-and-effect thesis statements of your own for each of the following five broad topics.

• Health and nutrition

The Structure of a Cause-and-Effect Essay

The cause-and-effect essay opens with a general introduction to the topic, which then leads to a thesis that states the main cause, main effect, or various causes and effects of a condition or event.

The cause-and-effect essay can be organized in one of the following two primary ways:

• Start with the cause and then write about the effects.
• Start with the effect and then write about the causes.

For example, if your essay were on childhood obesity, you could start by talking about the effect of childhood obesity and then discuss the cause or you could start the same essay by writing about the cause of childhood obesity and then move to the effect.

Regardless of which structure you choose, be sure to explain each element of the essay fully and completely. Explaining complex relationships requires the full use of evidence, such as scientific studies, expert testimony, statistics, and anecdotes.

Because cause-and-effect essays determine how phenomena are linked, they make frequent use of certain words and phrases that denote such linkage. See the table below for examples of such terms.

Phrases of Causation

• as a result
• consequently

The conclusion should wrap up the discussion and reinforce the thesis, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of the relationship that was analyzed.

Be careful of resorting to empty speculation. In writing, speculation amounts to unsubstantiated guessing. Writers are particularly prone to such trappings in cause-and-effect arguments because of the complex nature of finding links between phenomena. Be sure to have clear evidence to support the claims that you make.

Look at some of the cause-and-effect relationships from Exercise 1. Outline the links you listed. Outline one using a cause-then-effect structure. Outline the other using the effect-then-cause structure.

Writing a Cause-and-Effect Essay

Choose an event or condition that you think has an interesting cause-and-effect relationship. Introduce your topic in an engaging way. End your introduction with a thesis that states the main cause, the main effect, or both.

Organize your essay by starting with either the cause-then-effect structure or the effect-then-cause structure. Within each section, you should clearly explain and support the causes and effects using a full range of evidence. If you are writing about multiple causes or multiple effects, you may choose to sequence either in terms of  order of importance . In other words, order the causes from least to most important (or vice versa), or order the effects from least important to most important (or vice versa).

Use the phrases of causation when trying to forge connections between various events or conditions. This will help organize your ideas and orient the reader. End your essay by drawing a conclusion based on the information presented. You may find it helpful to think of the conclusion as an answer to the question: “so what” or as a continuation of the statement “and so. . . “. In some cases, may be appropriate to issue a call to action in your essay’s conclusion.

Choose a local issue or topic that concerns you. Examine both the causes and effects of this issue or topic, and write a paragraph that outlines these using the components of a cause and effect essay.

Assignment 1

Choose one of the ideas you outlined in Exercise 3 and write a full cause-and-effect essay. Be sure to include an engaging introduction, a clear thesis, strong evidence and examples, and a thoughtful conclusion.

Key Takeaways

The purpose of the cause-and-effect essay is to determine how various phenomena are related.

• The thesis states what the writer sees as the main cause, main effect, or various causes and effects of a condition or event.
• Start with the cause and then write about the effect.
• Start with the effect and then write about the cause.
• Strong evidence is particularly important in the cause-and-effect essay because of the complexity of determining connections between phenomena.
• Phrases of causation are helpful in signaling links between various elements in the essay.

Cause and Effect Essay Example

Effects of Video Game Addiction

By Scott McLean

Video game addition is a serious problem in many parts of the world today and deserves more attention. It is no secret that children and adults in many countries throughout the world, including Japan, China, and the United States, play video games every day. Most players are able to limit their usage in ways that do not interfere with their daily lives, but many others have developed an addiction to playing video games and suffer detrimental effects.

An addiction can be described in several ways, but generally speaking, addictions involve unhealthy attractions to substances or activities that ultimately disrupt the ability of a person to keep up with regular daily responsibilities. Video game addiction typically involves playing games uncontrollably for many hours at a time—some people will play only four hours at a time while others cannot stop for over twenty-four hours. Regardless of the severity of the addiction, many of the same effects will be experienced by all.

One common effect of video game addiction is isolation and withdrawal from social experiences. Video game players often hide in their homes or in Internet cafés for days at a time—only reemerging for the most pressing tasks and necessities. The effect of this isolation can lead to a breakdown of communication skills and often a loss in socialization. While it is true that many games, especially massive multiplayer online games, involve a very real form of e-based communication and coordination with others, and these virtual interactions often result in real communities that can be healthy for the players, these communities and forms of communication rarely translate to the types of valuable social interaction that humans need to maintain typical social functioning. As a result, the social networking in these online games often gives the users the impression that they are interacting socially, while their true social lives and personal relations may suffer.

Another unfortunate product of the isolation that often accompanies video game addiction is the disruption of the user’s career. While many players manage to enjoy video games and still hold their jobs without problems, others experience challenges at their workplace. Some may only experience warnings or demerits as a result of poorer performance, or others may end up losing their jobs altogether. Playing video games for extended periods of time often involves sleep deprivation, and this tends to carry over to the workplace, reducing production and causing habitual tardiness.

Video game addiction may result in a decline in overall health and hygiene. Players who interact with video games for such significant amounts of time can go an entire day without eating and even longer without basic hygiene tasks, such as using the restroom or bathing. The effects of this behavior pose significant danger to their overall health.

The causes of video game addiction are complex and can vary greatly, but the effects have the potential to be severe. Playing video games can and should be a fun activity for all to enjoy. But just like everything else, the amount of time one spends playing video games needs to be balanced with personal and social responsibilities.

External Links

“ Women in Science ” (https://tinyurl.com/y8pggr7g) by K.C. Cole. The link to the essay is correct. It seems to be titled “Hers” but it is the correct essay.

“ Cultural Baggage ” (https://tinyurl.com/yc7qeuyp) by Barbara Ehrenreich.

Robin Tolmach Lakoff discusses the power of language to dehumanize in “ From Ancient Greece to Iraq: The Power of Words in Wartime”  (https://tinyurl.com/y76bt3ah).

Alan Weisman examines the human impact on the planet and its effects in “ Earth without People ” ( https://tinyurl.com/mswazr ).

Attributions

Content taken from Chapter 5 – Rhetorical Modes  by Jenifer Kurtz is licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

English 101: Journey Into Open Copyright © 2021 by Christine Jones is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Cause And Effect Essay Guide

Cause And Effect Essay Topics

230+ Cause and Effect Essay Topics to Boost Your Academic Writing

16 min read

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Best Cause and Effect Essay Examples To Get Inspiration + Simple Tips

How To Write A Cause and Effect Essay - Outline & Examples

How to Create a Cause and Effect Outline - An Easy Guide

Are you struggling to find that perfect cause and effect essay topic that will not only captivate your readers but also make your writing process a breeze?

It's a common challenge for students. 

The frustration of staring at a blank page and the fear of choosing a topic that doesn't resonate with your interests or requirements can be overwhelming. 

But fear not!

In this blog, we will help you by providing a number of cause and effect essay topics examples. 

We'll provide you with valuable guidance you need to turn your academic writing into a compelling and thought-provoking masterpiece. 

So, say goodbye to writer's block. Let's dive in!

Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers!

• 1. Good Cause and Effect Essay Topics for Students
• 2. Unique Cause and Effect Topics
• 3. Fun Cause and Effect Essay Topics
• 4. Easy Cause and Effect Essay Topics 2023
• 5. Interesting Cause and Effect Essay Topics
• 6. Controversial Cause and Effect Essay Topics
• 7. Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Mental Health
• 8. Medical Cause and Effect Essay Topics
• 9. Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Sports
• 10. Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Social Media
• 11. Technology Cause and Effect Essay Topics
• 12. Environmental Cause and Effect Essay Topics
• 13. Cause and Effect Essay Topics - History
• 14. Personal Cause and Effect Essay Topics
• 15. Cause and Effect Essay Topics About Education
• 16. Cause And Effect Essay Topics About Animals 
• 17. Cause and Effect Essay Topics - IELTS
• 18. Cause And Effect Essay Topics For ESL Students
• 19. How to Choose a Cause and Effect Essay Topic?

Good Cause and Effect Essay Topics for Students

Choosing the right topic is often the first and most crucial step to crafting a compelling essay. 

Below is a list of cause and effect essay topics for students to write a perfect essay.

Cause and Effect Essay Topics for Elementary Students

• What are the effects of not getting up early in the morning?
• The effects of eating healthy foods on growing strong.
• Explain the adverse effects of terrorism on education.
• What are the causes of the success of Disney cartoons and movies?
• What are the effects of playing violent video games?
• The consequences of cleaning up our environment.
• Explain the effects of keeping a pet at home.
• Discuss why some teachers are favorites for students.
• Why do kids love their parents?
• Why do girls enjoy playing with their fathers?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics for Middle School Students

• The effects of bullying on mental health and self-esteem
• How academic pressure affects students' stress levels
• Causes and effects of peer pressure in middle school
• The impact of social media on teenagers' relationships
• Why eating junk food leads to health issues
• The consequences of lack of physical activity on well-being
• How parental involvement influences academic success
• The effects of video games on cognitive development
• Causes and effects of climate change on our environment
• The impact of cyberbullying on emotional health

Get an in-depth view on how to write a cause and effect topic by watching this video

Cause and Effect Topics for High School Students

• Why substance abuse leads to health and social problems
• The impact of technology on communication skills
• Causes and effects of high school dropouts
• How relationships with parents affect teenagers' emotional well-being
• The effects of college preparation programs on future success
• Why environmental awareness leads to sustainable practices
• The consequences of gender inequality in high school sports
• The impact of music education on cognitive development
• Causes and effects of cybersecurity threats on personal privacy
• How volunteering enhances leadership and empathy skills

Cause and Effect Essay Topics for College Students

Here are some cause and effect essay topics for college:

• How cell phones impact communication among people?
• What are the causes of using a tablet over the computer for browsing the web?
• Discuss the effects of retirement age on baby boomers.
• What are the effects of online shopping and does it motivate people to shop more?
• Effects of increased usage of mobile phones in businesses. Discuss.
• What are the causes of a video game to be popular among a specific community?
• Explain the causes for purchases of phone plans or unlimited data.
• Effects of social media on relationships. Elaborate.
• Discuss the effects of tablets on young children.
• What are the effects of mobile phone usage in classrooms and institutes?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics Psychology

• How does the media influence our self-esteem?
• The influence of social support on coping with grief and loss.
• How can alcohol consumption lead to depression? 
• What is the effect of family dynamics on a child's emotional development? 
• Does social media have an effect on mental health issues?
• How does religion impact mental health? 
• What are the causes and effects of eating disorders? 
• How does poverty affect cognitive development in children? 
• Does environmental stress have an effect on mental health? 
• How do gender roles influence behavior?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics Business

• How does the global economy affect businesses? 
• What causes companies to restructure their organization? 
• What are the impacts of employee downsizing on a business’s productivity? 
• How can entrepreneurial skills lead to success in business? 
• Does technology have an effect on how businesses interact with customers? 
• What are the effects of globalization on businesses? 
• How do employee benefits affect job satisfaction? 
• Does knowledge management have an effect on corporate culture? 
• Does outsourcing lead to increased job opportunities for workers in other countries? 
• How can multiculturalism influence success in the business world?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Health Care

• How does the healthcare system affect patient outcomes?
• What are the effects of inadequate access to health care in low-income communities? 
• How does increasing prescription drug prices impact patients' ability to receive treatment? 
• What are the effects of not having preventive mental health services available? 
• Does the availability of telemedicine improve access to medical care?
• Does health insurance have an effect on a patient's decision-making process?
• How does the quality of healthcare impact public health? 
• What are the effects of not having affordable healthcare available? 
• Does increasing the number of medical professionals lead to better patient outcomes?
• How does technology influence the delivery of healthcare services?

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Unique Cause and Effect Topics

• Causes and effects of the "fear of missing out" (FOMO) in the digital age.
• The consequences of virtual reality and augmented reality on human perception.
• The effects of online dating on traditional relationships.
• The impact of eco-anxiety on environmental conservation.
• Causes and effects of the "minimalist lifestyle" trend.
• How the perception of time influences decision-making?
• The consequences of "cancel culture" on freedom of speech.
• The effects of eco-friendly practices on business profitability.
• Causes and effects of the "helicopter parenting" phenomenon.
• How the #MeToo movement shapes workplace dynamics?

Fun Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• What are the causes and effects of making a laugh at the brand’s drummers?
• Uploading the wrong photograph to Instagram. Discuss the consequences.
• What are the causes of Harry Potter replacing Lord of the Rings?
• The influence of funny memes on internet culture.
• Is having a larger social circle on Facebook an indication of being famous?
• Enlist the things to ease the pain when the battery gets low outside
• How to become a successful entrepreneur by selling funny items?
• Describe things to make a student laugh out loud.
• Causes and effects of puns and wordplay in language development.
• Why would you mix Coke and Pepsi at breakfast?

Easy Cause and Effect Essay Topics 2023

• Discuss the causes and effects of the popularity of junk food and fast-food restaurants.
• Discuss the influence of the internet on kids.
• Elaborate on the popularity of sports in the United States.
• Discuss the effects of sports on children
• What are the effects of bullying on school children?
• Describe the politics of Putin against the neighboring states.
• Why must dating in schools be banned?
• What is the cause of women engaging in destructive relationships?
• Discuss the dangers of earthquakes.
• Describe the impacts of stress on mental health.

Need to make sure your essay stands out? Check out this read on how to create the perfect cause and effect outline for your essay!

Interesting Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• What are the causes of a significant fall in the number of students in college libraries?
• How can institutes produce better A–level students?
• What is the effect of a physical education program on college students?
• How can a civil war occur in modern society?
• What is causing college students to feel anxiety?
• Discuss the causes and effects of telling lies.
• What are the causes of divorce?
• What is the impact of genetically engineered food?
• What causes racism?
• What causes a person to act politely with others?

Controversial Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• Why do living together before marriage makes the relationship much better?
• Why wives always hate their husbands’ relationships with other females?
• Discuss sexism’s role in modern society.
• Is homeschooling proving to be more productive than charter schools?
• People who play popular video games are smarter. How?
• Why is it hard to grow up with a single parent?
• Can social media cause extremism?
• Homelessness is mostly caused by low morale. Explain.
• Explain the causes and effects of media violence.
• What are the negative effects of the generation gap?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Mental Health

• Explain the causes of post-traumatic stress disorder in the armed forces.
• Discuss the causes of anxiety in young teens.
• What are the effects of divorce on the mental health of minors?
• Emotional problems can affect the immune system. How?
• Why can broken relationships cause mental stress?
• Discuss how continuous mental stress can affect the sleeping pattern.
• Unemployment can cause psychological issues. Elaborate on the concept.
• How is social anxiety affecting youth?
• How does troubled family relationships lead to suicide among youngsters?
• How can excessive academic assignments cause depression?

Medical Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• Why eating excessive fast food can influence the energy levels of an individual.
• Explain how junk food can cause the risk of child obesity.
• How does a lack of food affect our physical health?
• How can acne affect a teenager’s life?
• Discuss the effects of poor diet on health.
• Describe how smoking causes approximately 90% of all breast and lung cancer incidents.
• Explain the effects of exercise on physical health.
• What are the causes of chickenpox?
• What causes depression among elders?
• What are the effects of avoiding vaccines?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Sports

Some sports cause and effect essay topics are given below:

• How can playing team sports develop social skills?
• Extensive workouts can damage the physical health of an individual. Explain how?
• Why does playing sports help to release hormones from the human body?
• How can technology impact sports events?
• How have the Olympics affected the overall international relations?
• What caused the Olympics to begin?
• What caused some sports to be more popular among children than others?
• What causes violence in sports?
• What causes a lack of interest in sports?
• Can sports cause character development?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Social Media

• What are the impacts of social media on youth?
• Explain the impacts of social media on business.
• Discuss the positive and negative effects of using social media.
• What are the effects of social media on education?
• What causes Google to be the most popular search engine?
• Explain the effects of social media on cyberbullying.
• How can social media influence kids?
• What are the effects of online dating?
• How excessive use of cell phones affects teenagers?
• What causes social media to lose popularity?

Technology Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• Discuss the effects of video games on young children in a narrative essay.
• Explain the causes and effects of playing candy crush.
• Explain the effect of technology on family time.
• How smartphones affect business practices?
• What are the positive and negative aspects of wireless technology?
• Discuss the effects of technology in surgery?
• What are the effects of using tablets in schools and colleges?
• How has technology encouraged people to shop online more often?
• How cellphones affect the ways people communicate with each other?
• What causes data protection?

Want to ace your cause and effect essay? View these cause and effect essay examples to write a striking one on any topic!

Environmental Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• What are the impacts of pollution?
• Discuss the causes of rapid changes in oceans.
• Discuss the natural causes of global warming.
• Explain how water vapor causes the greenhouse effect?
• The increase in global temperature leads to growing malaria. Discuss.
• Discuss why is it essential to manage forest fires?
• What are the leading causes of natural disasters?
• Why is it important to conserve water?
• Discuss the harmful effects of animal hunting on the ecosystem.
• How is noise pollution affecting the ozone layer?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics - History

• Discuss the causes of the Civil War.
• Explain the effects of WWI.
• Discuss the major reason behind the increasing crime rates in Europe.
• Discuss the effects of the Civil Rights movement.
• What are the effects of war in Syria on the United States?
• Describe the main causes and consequences of the Arab Spring.
• How did Christianity affect the Roman empire?
• Discuss the effects of globalization on the position of women.
• What are the major causes of the drug wars in Columbia?
• Discuss the effects of WWII on Jewish people.

Personal Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• The Impact of Social Media on Personal Relationships.
• Discuss causes of breakups in couples, especially in long-distance relationships..
• What are the causes and effects of men's commitment phobia?
• The impact of a life-changing travel experience on personal growth.
• Effects of maintaining a daily journal for self-reflection.
• The influence of a role model on personal values and aspirations.
• Effects of a significant childhood memory on shaping personality.
• What are the effects of the family structure on the personality of an individual?
• Explain the causes of the common conflicts and stress within your family.
• Discuss the effects of teachers on a student’s life.

Cause and Effect Essay Topics About Education

• What makes an educational policy successful? How can you tell if it is successful and what is causing the success?
• Causes and effects of standardized testing on educational outcomes.
• What is the impact of charter school initiatives?
• How do federal decisions affect the school systems in states and municipalities?
• How do student-teacher relationships affect education?
• Impact of online learning on students’ skills.
• The effect of poverty on higher education in developed countries.
• How the quality of school facilities and resources affects learning.
• Describe the causes and effects behind educational gender parity.
• Describe the causes and effects of online education.

Cause And Effect Essay Topics About Animals 

• The Impact of Deforestation on Wildlife Extinction
• Effects of Pollution on Aquatic Life
• The Relationship between Climate Change and Animal Migration Patterns
• How Overfishing Affects Ocean Ecosystems
• The Consequences of Illegal Wildlife Trade on Endangered Species
• Domestication of Animals and Its Effects on Behavior and Genetics
• The Role of Pesticides in Declining Bee Populations
• Impact of Plastic Pollution on Marine Life
• Human-Induced Habitat Destruction and Its Effects on Biodiversity
• The Connection between Global Warming and Changes in Animal Habitats

Cause and Effect Essay Topics - IELTS

• Explain the effects of smoking refusal.
• Elucidate the causes and effects of legal abortion.
• Discuss the impact of low social status on basic health facilities.
• Write about the causes and effects of constitutional changes.
• What is the impact of being the only child on one’s personality?
• What caused Hitler to become a dictator?
• What are the major drivers of a social revolution?
• Discuss the causes and effects of sexual promiscuity.
• Why are people opting for working from home more?
• How do siblings affect life learnings?

Cause And Effect Essay Topics For ESL Students

• Causes and effects of using translation tools in language learning.
• The influence of cultural immersion on language proficiency.
• The impact of bilingualism on career opportunities.
• Causes and effects of learning English for global communication.
• How language learning affects one's understanding of other cultures.
• The consequences of language proficiency on academic success.
• The effects of accent and pronunciation on effective communication.
• Causes and effects of language schools and courses on language skills.
• The influence of subtitles in movies on language acquisition.
• The impact of English proficiency on international travel and job opportunities.

How to Choose a Cause and Effect Essay Topic?

Choosing a topic for your cause and effect essay can sometimes be a challenging task, but it's a crucial step in crafting an engaging and informative essay. 

Here are some guidelines to help you select the perfect topic:

• Identify Your Interests: Start by considering your own interests and passions. An essay is often more compelling when you're genuinely interested in the subject matter.
• Consider Your Audience: Think about your target audience. What topics would resonate with them? Is there a particular issue or subject that's relevant to their lives or interests?
• Research and Brainstorm: Spend some time researching and brainstorming potential topics. Explore current events, personal experiences, or academic subjects.
• Narrow Down Your Focus: Once you have a list of potential topics, narrow it down to a manageable few. Consider the depth and breadth of available information on each topic. 
• Evaluate Significance: Assess the importance and relevance of the topic. Does it address a pertinent issue or question? Will it provide valuable insights to your readers?
• Personal Connection: If possible, choose a topic that you can personally connect with. Your own experiences and insights can add depth to your essay.

All in all, choosing the right causal essay topics can be a daunting task for most students. So, you can get help from the above-mentioned list of topics for the cause and effect essay. 

However, If you need more interesting ideas, get an essay writer right away.

MyPerfectWords.com is a reputed essay writing service online. We aim to provide reliable help for your academic assignments. 

Our team of experts will help you in the brainstorming process to find good cause-and-effect paper topics. 

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Keep reading

Cause and Effect Essay — Guide 2021

Sarbina Schwartz

The type of writing where a writer investigates a connection between the theme or idea with practical happenings is called cause and effect essay.

Standard and style:

This essay is written in an argumentative way or the pattern of critical analysis. However, the writer shows the relationship and significant effects of characters, personal statements, ideas, and occurrences in their standard form.

Why do we write such types of essays?

There is an essential purpose behind writing this. In educational institutions, professors design the assignments of the types of persuasive essay writing to enhance student’s analytical skills, logical reasoning, convincing writing style, and critical evaluation.

Uses and examples:

This professional writing indicates a sign of progress and success in a career. How? Use of the same skills in presentation, policies, and management, etc.

Students can be asked to make a brief analysis report for a lab experiment, a case study of some scientific area, a research paper, or a dissertation of scholars.

How to Start an Essay?

The first thing to do is differentiate the causing facts and then the affected statements. A straightforward way of defining causes, question, “Why did they come?” To conclude, inquire, “What happened since they arrived?”

For your assistance, we are creating a scenario to state causal statements that come with effect. The cause is, “You are short of money for shopping.” The effect is, “You won’t be able to buy things you want.”

It also happens due to one-to-one relationships; many causal events lead to a sole effect, or many compelling facts come from one solitary cause.

Don’t worry; your instructor or teacher will suggest the best suitable methods for causes and effects. The cause is “Students prefer business programs during schools.

The effect is “Wages and employment opportunities are high.”

The situations mentioned above are straightforward. Perhaps some cases can be complex like a contrast essay as we have to make our reader agree with us.

Imagining visiting parents…needed to fill the gas tank…car is stopped…couldn’t go for presentation…not succeed in the final project.

If you closely observe, it is an ongoing chain of sentiments and reactions. It becomes a cycle of cause and effect.

Write a perfect thesis statement:

Mention this clearly in your statement whether your focus is solely on causes or effects. If that’s not so, then state it is for both.

You can take a start of your central theme as you use to do in a descriptive essay by mentioning the terminologies of cause or/and effect.

Organize the facts:

The first step is finding details.

The next step is arranging and organizing.

What to do now is backing up paper, essay, or thesis with the already collected supported data.

Afterward, follow the organizing instructions of perfect essay writing.

Sequential order:

Same way in which things happened.

Order according to rank:

Ranking of information by considering their value. The most important ones, then less critical, and so on.

Categories your data:

You can divide all information that you have searched to write my essay into different categories and then do sub-divisions.

Give a smooth effect with the use of suitable transitional words. Write down some questions separately for yourself, i.e., Causes in this essay? Effects produced by causes? Highlighted ones for essay writer? Sole or many causes? Sole or many effects? Involvement of the cycle of reactions? From topic to proofreading, stay focused and come with a masterpiece.

Written by Sarbina Schwartz

I am your qualified, proficient writer with years of experience. My piece of writings speaks itself about my creativity, credibility and expertise.

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Cause and Effect Essay Topics for College Students: 270+ Ideas & Tips for 2024

A cause-and-effect essay analyzes how one issue leads to another one. There are endless opportunities to formulate cause and effect topics. However, it is not that easy when it comes to good cause and effect topics.

Luckily, in this article, you will find 180+ cause and effect essay topics for college & middle school students. You can use them right away or for inspiration. Additionally, our team prepared tips on organizing your essay and a beneficial, easy-to-use scheme to arrange your cause-and-effect ideas.

🔝 Top 15 Cause and Effect Essay Topics for College Students

😎 cool cause and effect essay topics 2024.

• ✔️ Choosing Good Topics
• 📂 Essay Organization

📌 Cause-Effect Diagram

• 📚 Topics by Discipline
• 😉 Optimistic Topics

👍 Good Cause and Effect Topics

• 🪁 Miscellaneous Topics
• 🎓 For College Students
• 🧒 Fun Cause and Effect Topics

🦄 Unique Cause and Effect Topics

📝 cause and effect research topics.

• The impact of social media on mental health.
• Effects of technology on interpersonal relationships.
• Causes and effects of stress in the modern workplace.
• The influence of fast-food accessibility on obesity rates.
• Causes and effects of bullying in schools.
• The influence of music on mood and emotions.
• Effects of sleep deprivation on academic performance.
• Causes and effects of urbanization.
• The influence of advertising on consumer behavior.
• Effects of technology on attention span.
• Video games and their impact on aggressive behavior.
• The impact of women’s rights movements on society.
• Causes and effects of cyberbullying.
• The influence of media portrayals on body image.
• Causes and effects of overpopulation.
• Causes and effects of crime .
• Effects of Instagram on children.
• Types and causes of water pollution .
• How does regular alcohol consumption influence mental health?
• Major causes of drug abuse among adolescents.
• Causes and consequences of childhood obesity.
• Causes and solutions to food prices increase.
• Why does sea temperature increase, and how does it affect fish?
• How do oil prices affect the aviation industry?
• What are the worst consequences of school bullying?
• COVID-19 effects on suicide rates.
• How does learning the second language affect the first language?
• What are the solutions for the gender wage gap?
• The effects of stress on the human body.
• What are the causes of increased consumption of fast food?

✔️ Choosing Good Cause and Effect Topics

Do you already have a subject to write about? Check out our cause and effect essay ideas below, get inspiration to narrow down your topic.

In case you are free to choose a subject, here are some ways to get started. Remember that the cause and effect essay can be about anything. The major challenge is to thoroughly describe the causal relationships and demonstrate each cause and effect’s role.

Choosing a Topic: Best Tips

• Think of some article you’ve read recently . It can be anything that picked your interest: news, scientific text, discussion of some issue, social media post, etc. What was the main subject there?
• Remember any issue you’ve discussed with someone . Maybe you had a dynamic discussion that you can use for the beginning.
• Scroll through your news feed . There must be something attracting your attention: Economics? Politics? Culture? Just choose the sphere that will be your starting point.
• Research field of your interest . Think of what you are fond of, something not related to your studying. It can also be a good inspiration source.

All these can help to get to the final topic. In the beginning, the critical task is to depict a field of your interest and search it for the cause-effect scenarios. Examples of how to line up the question are below.

📂 Organization of Cause and Effect Essay

Looking ahead, you might see how broad the range of cause and effect essay topics is. Accordingly, there are two fundamental ways to structure them. Get ready beforehand, and the writing process will be much easier.

🔗Focus on Causes

Also known as causal argument topics , such essays require full concentration on what, how, and why something led to some particular outcome. Here are examples of focus-on-causes essays:

• Skinny models are to blame for major bulimia and anorexia incidences.
• What are the factors that cause teachers’ burnout?
• Financial issues are among the top reasons for breakups.

🔗 Focus on Effects

On the opposite, for such an essay, you need to stick to the events’ consequences. The more doesn’t mean the better. More efficient is to choose 2-3 significant outcomes and describe their effect comprehensively. Examples:

• The one-child-per-family policy in China influences family relations.
• A lack of education results in discrimination and racism.
• Living together before getting married makes marital relationships better.

However, some topics might be developed both ways. The crucial thing is to choose one direction. And don’t try to dig deep into both causes and effects at the same time.

Whatever your topic is, and regardless of its focus, here is a very helpful diagram (aka Ishikawa or fishbone diagram). It will help you to structure the arguments and optimize the process of writing.

If your topic is focus-on-effects, just mirror the diagram so that it shows multiple effects.

Here you can find an online diagram template that is easy to fill and organize your thoughts.

🤖 Cause and Effect Topics on Technologies

• Unregulated artificial intelligence development can cause huge risks for humanity . The rapid progress of AI not only revealed new opportunities but also created reasons to be concerned.
• Artificial intelligence can reorganize whole industries . Just like the Industrial Revolution in the XVIII-XIX centuries turned the whole civilization upside down.
• Is a robot becoming the next president? How will it affect the democratic regime, social policy, or international diplomacy?
• What led to the battles for the militarization of space among countries? Refer to the Cold War and its role in the development of space research.
• Impact of information technology on a clothing company – a case study .
• Autonomous cars will reduce the number of traffic accidents.
• Effects of technology on human resource management.
• How does the increasing technological development influence our safety?
• What are the primary causes of people being skeptical about implanting microchips?
• The negative effects of poor information system planning .
• How does mass In-vitro fertilization shape the birth rates?

🕴️ Good Cause and Effect Topics on Business

• Why do college dropouts become successful entrepreneurs? What can be the causes of such a scenario?
• The Covid-19 crisis encouraged people to support small businesses. What are the benefits for the small sector and the broad range of suppliers?
• High competitiveness made it harder to develop a startup and enter a market . Provide the exact obstacles that entrepreneurs can face.
• Do online business courses undermine the authority of University programs? What can be the impact on the educational system?
• Major causes of businesses becoming bankrupt nowadays . It would be easy to use the Covid-19 economic crisis but consider other reasons.
• What can stimulate employees’ productivity to rise? Consider different incentives: salary, working schedule, regular training, team building, etc.
• How do monopolies affect the market?
• The accessibility of online shopping stimulated higher rates of consumerism.
• The influence of sustainable business on firm performance.
• Investment in social media advertising results in the attraction of a larger audience.

💰 Cause and Effect Topics on Economic

• The humanitarian crisis causes problems in all spheres of life . Provide the actual consequences on social, economic, and environmental issues.
• The role of feminism in the gender wage gap . Use examples of some public feminist movements that led to changes in women’s wages.
• Effects of Covid-19 lockdown on economics . How did the lockdown affect airlines? It can be a particular airline’s survival strategy or the industry in general.
• Climate change contributes to substituting petroleum with alternative energy sources . Discuss how the energy sector is influenced by climate change.
• What makes people invest in real estate during the world economic crisis?
• Consumer behavior and culture consequences.
• What influences the changes in the prices of products in the shops?
• What are the impacts of increasing unemployment?
• Do higher salaries for teachers result in better performance of students?
• What are the causes of a financial crisis in developed countries?
• How does e-marketing affect consumer behavior?
• How does the wealth of some persons affect the global economic equation?

📱 Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Social Media

• Effects of social networks on education. With free access to the Internet, students can easily exchange materials. At the same time, their work may lack individuality.
• Social media marketing has influenced the ways brands build up their vital activity . How do brands communicate with their clients, create a community of fans, participate in collaborations, etc.?
• Why are some trends becoming global while others are not? Explain why some social media trends have become viral and are supported worldwide.
• How does social media affect our perceptions of reality?
• Should we restrict children’s access to social media?
• The possibility of having a fake identity online increases the level of danger.
• Uncontrolled use of social media results in bad consequences for mental health.
• Social media usage in market research and forecasting.
• How has real-life communication changed with social media?
• How does social media influence sports brands’ marketing?
• What role does social media play in social inequality?
• Nursing career enhancement through social media.
• What can be the ways social media causes anxiety and depression?

🍲 Cause and Effect Ideas on Food

• Buying local food products increases sustainability. Local product supply is shorter: it saves the workforce, money, and the environment.
• A plant-based diet can have a great impact on climate change . The intense consumption of meat and dairy products contributes to global warming.
• Microplastic in food damage human health. What are the actual consequences of microplastic intake for human health?
• Why do some people prefer to meal prep for the week? Think of why it is more convenient for some people to cook for the whole week in advance.
• COVID-19 isolation stimulated many people to cook at home. How could it affect the catering industry?
• What are the harmful effects of fast food advertisements on children?
• Positive and negative effects of the Japanese diet on human health.
• How does genetically modified food affect human health?
• The cult of healthy eating made many people change their eating habits.
• Food & stress relationship and gender differences.
• What has facilitated the increasing popularity of the raw food diet?

🏞️ Good Cause and Effect Topics on Environment

• Activists like Greta Thunberg play a massive role in environmental protection . Consider the cases when certain persons contributed more than organizations.
• Will ecological policy on the state level make people have a sustainable lifestyle ? Take one country and provide the actual results of such policy’s efficiency.
• Deforestation makes many species lose their natural habitat . Discuss other effects of deforestation.
• Cow power utilization can save the planet from global warming . Research the methane collection from cows and describe the effect on the atmosphere.
• What may lead to the extinction of some species of fish? For example, increasing sea temperature or water pollution, etc.
• What are the main benefits of paper recycling?
• What can be the causes of massive malaria and cholera increase?
• Environmental change and impact on health.
• How do the natural environment and its condition impact human health?
• What can be the consequences of glaciers melting in Antarctica?
• Climate change impact on business activity in Malawi.
• How has the explosive population growth been affecting the environment?
• What can be the consequences of inaccurate weather forecasting?
• Climate change as a health determinant.

💉 Cause and Effect Topics on Health

• How do mental problems affect the strength of immunity?
• Regular junk food consumption influences the ability of an organism to produce energy.
• Use of marijuana: positive and negative effects on health.
• What can be the causes of poor digestion?
• What diseases can be caused by a lack of moral support?
• Effects of sleep on academic performance .
• Self-treatment can lead to making your disease worse.
• Which environmental changes can sharpen asthma and chronic bronchitis
• Music in nursing: positive effects and innovative strategies.
• How does belonging to a particular social class affect the health of a person?
• Regular annual health check-ups positively affect a person’s well-being.
• Dancing and its effects on self-esteem .
• What are the reasons some people become vaccine-hesitant?

⛷️ Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Sports

• What are the consequences of steroid abuse in sports?
• What are the ways for a human body to generate vital hormones?
• What is the effect of physical activity on academic achievement?
• How do sports from a young age affect kids’ socialization?
• Does youth sports play a part in character formation?
• How has feminism influenced the development of sports nowadays?
• Causes and effects of implementing corporate social responsibility in sports
• The presence of politics in worldwide competitions shapes the course of events.

🚬 Cause and Effect Ideas on Smoking

• Smoking in public places: health & economic effects.
• Increasing prices for cigarettes reduce the number of people smoking.
• The rates of lung and bronchus cancer among smoking adults in the U.S
• Effects of smoking on different organ systems.
• Why do teenager smoke?
• Effects of passive smoking.
• Tobacco under fire: advertising a harmful product.

🤝‍‍ Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Relationships

• How do family members’ financial capabilities shape a family’s overall well-being?
• Impact of the pandemic on people’s life.
• What are the effects of both spouses having stable jobs?
• Information and communication technology: impacts on society.
• The amount and quality of communication may determine the durability of relationships.
• The role of the father in the child’s life.
• How does parents’ divorce influence children ?
• Work-family conflict: antecedents and consequences .
• Which are the major issues leading to breakups nowadays?
• What difficulties may a bicultural couple face?
• Do stay-at-home mothers exhibit more indicators of happiness than full-time working mothers?
• What are the reasons for parents following particular role models?
• How does students’ attendance affect the psychological climate in the class?
• College students’ internet addiction and family relationships.

🏮Good Cause and Effect Topics on Culture

• How does mass media influence the perception of different issues?
• The importance of nonverbal communication .
• What are the significant effects of learning Chinese?
• Frequent visits to museums stimulate the development of a sense of beauty.
• The importance of understanding cultural differences in international business.
• How does the choice of college shape an individual’s circle of friends?
• Regular reading broadens the conceptual frames of an individual.
• The importance of an organization’s culture in nursing management.
• What were the consequences of mass media broadcasting beauty standards in the 1990-2000-s?
• Impact of culture on multinational marketing.
• Consumerism culture is the biggest threat to our planet.
• Chinese culture of one-child-per-family affects the ways parents raise their children.

🤝 Cause and Effect Topics on Social Issues

• Do stricter immigration policies cause additional tension or help?
• How do social determinants impact the quality of life?
• How do businesses aggravate or solve social issues?
• What is the primary cause of religious oppression?
• Gun Control: Does It Reduce or Increase Crime?
• Can the development of the feminist movement undermine the family institution?
• Drug Abuse in Adolescents: The Causes.
• What are the causes and effects of changes in tax legislation?
• Can increasing donations to the unemployed demotivate them?
• Health effects of environmental change.
• Growing up with food insecurity develops criminal inclinations in children.
• What are the most significant effects of illiteracy on human life?
• Effects of substance abuse amongst the military.
• Cause and effect of the internet on the promotion of social programs.
• How does depression affect a person’s work performance?
• Revolutionary change and its impact on women.
• What leads to homelessness, and what economic problems does it bring about?
• Population growth and related problems.
• International adoption may bridge the gap between advanced and developing countries.
• Drug and alcohol effects on emotional intelligence.
• Find the causes and effects of the popularity of social trends.
• What are the acute effects of gender inequality in the United States?
• The effects of teasing and name calling on children.
• What are the consequences of language barriers for minority groups?
• What causes retired or disabled people to look for employment?

🏺 Cause and Effect Essay Topics on Historical Issues

• Although slavery was abolished, it continues to produce effects on present-day society.
• The WWII veterans’ war experience has dramatically influenced their life.
• The Motives of Individual Soldiers Who Fought in the Civil War .
• What effects does religion have on modern society?
• How may the history of a state influence its present-day political and economic status?
• The origins of the Cold War.
• What triggered the Arab Spring, and what results did it bring about?
• What are the critical effects of British colonialism?
• The Great Depression: what are the causes and effects?
• How has the invention of printing changed the status of the mass media?
• Globalization influenced the present-day position of women.
• Oil discovery in the United Arab Emirates: historical research.
• How did the French revolution affect its success in the political arena?
• Causes and effects of the Colombian drug wars: economic and social aspects.
• American revolutionary war, its causes & effects.
• The state of abject poverty in developing countries triggers illegal immigration.
• Excessive immigration to America in the 20th century created plenty of economic problems.
• Natural resources’ role in the wars.
• The appearance of online sales brought businesses to a new level.
• What are the relationships between terroristic activity and American drone attacks?
• The history of the US that led to 9/11.
• Cause and effect analysis of the increased militancy of North Korea.

📜 Cause and Effect Ideas on Educational Problems

• How is the school curriculum affected by standardized testing?
• Use of computer technology for education process & the role of teachers.
• Being labeled an indigo kid often ruins students’ life.
• How do ADHD, dyslexia, or other problems affect the quality of the received education?
• Can we use video games as educational tools?
• Why is studying boring?
• Do technologies undermine the quality of learning?
• Ways to stop bullying at school: addressing children’s needs.
• The use of eBooks and interactive boards in class.
• How does homeschooling impact future education?
• Shakespeare’s influence on the English language.
• What benefits do charter schools have?
• What effects do anti-bullying programs have?
• Should schools distribute condoms among students?
• Did single-sex classrooms lead to lower socialization skills?
• Do school uniforms make children less prejudiced?
• How to prevent obesity in schools?
• Can racial integration lead to total elimination of bias?
• Living on campus develops independence.
• Should mandatory vaccination at school be eliminated?
• English language learning in early school.
• Why do students show poor performance on international exams?
• Why do some educational institutions fail to prepare good specialists?
• Latino school-age population and obesity.
• Does physical education have a positive effect on elementary students?
• Longer school days negatively influence students’ performance.
• School counselors crisis management.

😉 Optimistic Cause and Effect Topics

• Can video games boost students’ IQ?
• Economic impacts of World Cup.
• Does optimism improve immunity?
• What is the positive impact of the environment on families?
• Using social media improves communication skills.
• The promotion of bicycle use helps reduce traffic jams .
• What is the impact of media on the police image?
• Social media can help teens with their socialization process.
• Living together before marriage makes relationships stronger.
• Effects of animal reburial on soil structure and water.
• How does a happy marriage influence the health of a person?
• The history and positive effects of meditation.
• Going to college affects the decision-making skills of a person.
• What are the effects of the abortion ban?
• The impact of corporate social responsibility on contemporary organizations.
• Does self-isolation result in harmful consequences for health?
• Concentrating on your meal contributes to better digestion of food.
• An inferiority complex makes people create fake identities on social media.
• How will artificial intelligence influence our future?
• A lack of education results in low tolerance.
• The boom of fast food causes a growth in obesity rates in the US.
• Why does the fear of side effects make people avoid vaccinations?
• Insufficient physical activity increases the risk of a heart attack .

🪁 Miscellaneous Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• Does cramming affect test scores?
• How does advertising affect price elasticity?
• How do illegal ways of music downloading hurt the creativity of the artist?
• How can watching good movies impact the vision of a person?
• Factors affecting the efficiency of financial institutions in the UAE.
• What can be the significant impacts of insomnia on everyday life?
• Uncontrolled use of the Internet at a young age can result in mental health disorders in the future.
• How do business strategies affect HR strategies?
• Reading fiction helps develop empathy.
• Risk factors of contraceptive failures resulting in pregnancies.
• Does a sense of humor help improve personal relations?
• How does an unhealthy diet influence career opportunities?
• What are the major causes of currency rate fluctuations?

🎓 Cause and Effect Topics for College Students

• How does technological development influence the process of education?
• Greenhouse effect and global warming.
• What are the positive and negative effects of studying abroad?
• Organized crime in Russia and the impact on the economy .
• How does cheating in school affect other spheres of life?
• Global warming affects wildlife.
• What are the results of regular cramming instead of exercising and understanding?
• Childhood obesity: causes and consequences.

🧒 Fun Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• Do changes in the weather influence people’s moods?
• Reasons behind fast food addiction in the UAE .
• Having a pet makes its owners more friendly towards other pets.
• Influencer marketing impacts consumer behavior.
• Frequent eating of junk food causes many health diseases among children.
• Food prices increase: causes and solutions.
• Cleaning your room boosts your productivity.
• The impact of a growing elderly population.
• Doing homework helps students be more appreciated by teachers.
• What caused the increase of conspiracy theories believers?
• Cybercrime and its impact in the Gulf Cooperation Council region.
• Regular traveling makes you more open to different lifestyles.
• The impact of healthcare reform on nursing practitioners .
• What would happen if the sun disappeared?
• What would happen if the moon disappeared?
• Nursing informatics – how can it impact nurses’ work?
• The level and sphere of education impact music taste.
• What are the critical effects of political activism on society?
• How does a change in one’s socioeconomic status affect tolerance towards different layers of society?
• The effects of artificial intelligence on future job markets.
• Effects of online social networking on face-to-face communication skills.
• Effects of mindfulness meditation on stress reduction and mental health.
• The benefits and challenges of cultural diversity in multinational corporations.
• The impact of virtual reality technology on empathy and perspective-taking.
• The influence of social media on political polarization and public discourse.
• Effects of remote work on work-life balance and productivity.
• The impact of early childhood education on long-term academic achievement.
• Effects of biodiversity loss on ecosystem stability and resiliency.
• The influence of video game streaming on gaming culture and behaviors.
• Causes and effects of sleep disorders on overall health and cognitive function.
• Effects of renewable energy development on job creation and economic growth.
• The impact of cultural assimilation on immigrant mental health.
• Effects of green urban planning on community well-being and quality of life.
• The impact of open-access educational resources on learning outcomes.

🔍 References

• Cause and Effect – Writing for Success: University of Minnesota
• Cause and Effect Essay Examples
• Cause-and-Effect Essay: University of Michigan Press
• Cause and Effect Essay Paper Topics
• 100 Cause and Effect Essay Topics
• Teacher Discusses a Cause/Effect Essay – Writing Cause/Effect Essays: Coursera.org

414 Proposal Essay Topics for Projects, Research, & Proposal Arguments

725 research proposal topics & title ideas in education, psychology, business, & more.

Cause and Effect Essay Topics

That’s why cause-and-effect essays are one of the most commonly assigned writing assignments in all of academia. They test a student’s ability to draw connections and make logical arguments as well as research abilities and writing skills. 

They can be very enjoyable to write if you know the fundamentals of essay writing, understand what this type of essay requires, and choose the right topic. In this article, you’ll get a brief overview of what a cause and effect essay is, tips on how to choose the right topic, and a list of over 150 topics to inspire you!

What is a Cause and Effect Essay?

A cause and effect essay is a writing assignment that asks you to explore the causes of certain events and link them to their outcomes. These types of essays can be focussed on the causes, the effects, or both. They can follow the typical 5 paragraph essay format, or they can have more body paragraphs than usual, depending on the complexity of the topic chosen. 

How to Choose a Cause and Effect Essay Topic

Since the entire paper will be about the causes and effects of your topic, choosing the right topic is vitally important for this type of essay. Sometimes teachers give a general theme to follow which makes it easier to choose a specific topic. Having the freedom to choose any topic you want can be daunting but as long as you keep the following points in mind, you’ll find an excellent topic to write about. 

• If you’ve been assigned a theme, spend time brainstorming several ideas to get a unique and interesting topic.
• Get ideas about what you want to write about from articles you’ve recently read. This will also give you a headstart on research.
• Take a broad topic and narrow it down to specific issues and relationships.
• The scope of your essay shouldn’t be too broad or too narrow. Think about your word count and choose a topic you can explore properly within that limit.
• You should always have facts and research to back up any claims you’re making, so choose a topic that has credible information available.
• Use personal conversations and experiences to narrow down the list of potential topics.
• Make sure there are a clear cause and effect relationship to explore in your topic. 
• Always try and choose a topic that you feel personally interested in. Passion will make the research more enjoyable, make your writing more interesting, and cut down on the amount of time you spend on the assignment.

Cause and Effect Essay Topics List for Students

Cause and effect essay topics for high school.

20 topics for cause and effect essay for high school students related to their experiences and chosen to match the level of complexity expected. 

Can student activism cause changes in the world?

What is the impact of growing up a child of divorce?

What are the main causes of anxiety in high school?

What are the effects of having very rich or famous parents?

How does having a messy room impact productivity?

What are the reasons that comic book movies rarely get Academy Awards?

Why is music better today, or why was it better in the past?

Why do students cheat?

What are the effects of playing group sports on social bonding?

What should people do to avoid getting sick?

Can online shopping cause shopping addiction?

Why are some video games more fun than others?

Why are oil spills so bad for marine ecosystems?

Why does weight have such a large impact on self-esteem?

What is the effect of family vacation on family relationships?

Why are people afraid of trying new things?

Why should humans protect endangered species?

How does theoretical physics affect the real world?

What are the long-term effects of vaping?

Is there a connection between bullying culture and school violence?

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Cause and Effect Essay Topics for College Students

Here’s a collection of 20 unique topics for college-level papers that will benefit from research and deep analytical skills.

Why do so many Americans still live in poverty?

What is the impact of underage drinking?

How does fasting impact your overall health?

What would be the difference if an asteroid impacted land or ocean?

Why do we buy so many things we don’t need?

What is the UN doing to combat modern-day slavery?

What is the impact of religious oppression in a country?

Why do sports and physical activity release endorphins?

Why is Japan more technologically advanced than many countries in the world?

How has the internet affected education in remote villages in developing nations?

How did Christianity shape colonialism?

Why is it dangerous not to finish a course of prescription medication?

What are the effects of picture and video apps on self-esteem?

Should standardized testing have such a large impact on a student’s future?

What is the impact of colonialism on modern-day Africa?

What is the impact of distance learning on mental health?

What are the benefits of studying in a group versus studying alone?

Is it possible to date and still be focused on academics?

Do violent movies and video games lead to real-life violence?

What is the impact of being raised in a multi-generational household?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics for Middle School

These 20 topics are perfect for teenagers to think about and should inspire them to write a fantastic essay. 

What is the effect of bullying on school culture and school spirit?

Why is it important to think about the environment?

What are the effects of spending time in nature?

What were the causes of World War II?

How has Covid-19 changed your daily routine?

What would happen if everybody did only what they wanted to?

What is the connection between music and mathematics?

How can social media and the internet reduce loneliness?

Why was the invention of the steam engine so important?

Describe a society where people learned to get along with each other.

Should famous people who say or do bad things lose their fans?

Why do countries close to the equator usually have spicy food?

What has been the effect of rap lyrics on poetry?

What are some of the benefits of colonizing Mars?

How do video games affect academic achievement?

What is the role of parental punishment on motivation?

What are the benefits of celebrating holidays from different religions?

What is the fallout from posting an unpopular story on Instagram?

How can you build a successful social media channel?

How does having a fun teacher affect student motivation?

Cause and Effect Essay Topics for Elementary Level

While these types of essays can become very complex, it is important for young children to start understanding the connection between things and exploring causes and effects at an early age. Here are 20 topics perfect for kids!

Why is it important to learn to share?

Why is it important to eat a good breakfast?

What have you learned from your favorite cartoon character?

How does the weather impact your mood?

Why should children get more time to play?

How do you feel after getting a good night’s sleep?

Why should Santa Claus bring you the toys you want?

What would you do if you saw an injured animal?

Why are birthdays important?

Why is riding a bike good for the environment?

How would having a smartphone improve your life?

How does being an older brother or sister make you different?

How does being a younger brother or sister make you different?

Why is it important to learn math?

Do having pets make you more responsible?

What are the effects of bullying on the bully?

What is the impact of your favorite Marvel superhero on the plot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

What are the causes and effects of being popular?

Why is littering bad for society?

Why is it important to eat vegetables?

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Cause and Effect Essay Topics Ideas

Fun cause and effect essay topics.

20 good cause and effect essay topics that are just plain fun to think about!

How are esports going to change the future?

What would it be like to give up all social media as a high school student?

Should people with more money be taxed at a higher rate?

Are periodic revolutions good for the progression of society?

How does smiling affect how long you live?

What are the benefits of owning a pet?

What started the domestication of animals by humans?

How has the use of cell phones affected in-person interaction?

What would be the impact on society if people could directly vote for every important issue?

What makes Elon Musk such a magnetic person?

What would the world be like if Facebook never existed?

Why are young people better at gaming than older people?

How is virtual reality going to change entertainment?

Why have science fiction movies become so popular over the last decade?

What responsibilities should social media influencers automatically be aware of?

What was the impact of Star Wars on the film industry?

How did YouTube change the way humans create and consume media?

Would Harry Potter have been less popular if the main character was a woman?

What effect does the language you speak have on the way you think?

What would the impact of raising the minimum wage be?

Easy Cause and Effect Essay Topics

You don’t have to write something too complicated to get a good grade! Here are 20 easy essay topic examples for your paper. 

What are the main causes of teenage smoking?

How do school uniforms improve cohesion and morale?

What is the impact of sweet fruit juices on health?

What role does the media have on public opinion?

What are the benefits of traveling abroad?

Do people feel better after crying?

Does using a smartphone right before sleeping negatively impact sleep quality?

Why is it more difficult for immigrants to find a job?

What are the effects of working out too much?

Does online dating make people have lower social skills?

How can improving time management reduce stress?

What is the impact of family stability on academic performance?

How does attending college impact lifelong earning potential?

Why is Google the most popular search engine?

How is carbon dioxide a greenhouse gas?

Why was the #Metoo movement so important?

What are the benefits of reading for pleasure as a child?

How has globalization impacted the role of women in societies?

What are the negative impacts of sound pollution?

How can a single species impact large ecosystems?

Personal Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Go over these 20 essay topics to write an essay that relies more on self reflection and personal growth. 

How has your favorite book impacted your life?

Is parenthood always a rewarding experience?

How does being selfish eventually impact oneself negatively?

What are the impacts of optimism on happiness?

How can a single individual make a significant change in the world?

How can meditation improve quality of life?

How has guilt affected your life personally?

How do people do bad things without realizing it?

Why are people afraid of commitment?

How does being in an abusive relationship impact both people?

What is the impact of being a minority on self-identity?

What is the connection between overthinking and depression?

How has the most significant relationship in your life shaped you?

How does getting older impact the ability to learn new things?

Why do people chase a feeling of control?

What are the impacts of living with someone with a mental disorder?

How long does it take to get over a serious breakup?

What are the reasons you want to be rich?

What would make you happy?

What is the best way of using social power?

Interesting Cause and Effect Essay Topics

20 interesting essay topics that will make your essay stand out amongst the crowd. 

What are some of the ways the world would have been different if the axis powers won WWII?

Do strikes and protests work effectively for different types of issues?

What would happen to coastal populations if ocean levels increased by 2 meters?

How much do tv shows and movies impact the way people think about other countries?

What has been the impact of rising internet penetration rates in developing countries?

What social care measures should countries implement in the face of catastrophes like Covid-19?

What is the connection between science and religion?

What would you do if you could become president of the world for 1 year?

How do phytoplankton in the ocean impact life on Earth?

Why is going to college an indicator of long-term happiness?

Why are certain video games popular amongst certain groups?

How does someone decide which music genre is their favorite?

How is artificial intelligence going to change the military and therefore the world?

What makes someone exceptional in their chosen field?

What are the most important characteristics of a good boss?

Can escapism be beneficial in situations such as trauma?

Does living together before marriage hurt or harm the long-term relationship?

What effect do different colors have on mood?

Is the continued growth of technology going to make people value in-person events more?

How has the first amendment impacted countries around the world?

Controversial Cause and Effect Essay Topics

Here are 20 controversial topics to think about. Be warned! You’ll have to do really solid research and make your point eloquently.

What was the impact of American foreign policy during the Cold War?

Does stem cell research have the potential to save millions of lives?

How do genetically modified crops impact the human body?

How do increasing temperatures impact rates of transmissible diseases?

How do oil-producing companies and their lobbies impact the search for renewable energy?

How do fashion companies end up employing children in sweatshops?

Can pizza now be considered an American food?

How do kings, queens, or any form of royalty impact the society of a country?

What are some of the negative outcomes of social Darwinism?

Why did the communism of the Soviet Union fail?

What has China’s one-child policy done to advance economic growth in the country?

How have sedition laws been used to censor free speech?

If artificial intelligence develops sentience, should they be given human rights?

How does a bad president impact that country's international reputation?

What are the roots of Russia’s aggressive international policies?

What are the negative impacts of the introduction of nonnative species?

What are the effects of gun regulation laws on murder rates around the world?

Are certain drugs beneficial for psychiatric treatment?

What was the root of the eugenics movement around the world in the early 1900s?

What has the impact of animal testing been on human health?

Final Thoughts

If you want to delve deep into a particular topic and analyze the causes and effects, a cause and effect essay is the perfect choice for you. It can be a fascinating process if you choose the right topic. This article has provided you with 180 topics to consider and guidelines on selecting a topic. If you need any help with coursework writing , research paper writing service , or custom essay writing , Studyfy's team of professional writers and dissertation writing services can guide you in the right direction. Additionally, their essay editing and proofreading services can help you improve your essay and make it stand out. Choose Studyfy, the best essay service , to help you achieve academic success.

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Definition essay topics.

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The Big List of Essay Topics for High School (120+ Ideas!)

Ideas to inspire every young writer!

High school students generally do a lot of writing, learning to use language clearly, concisely, and persuasively. When it’s time to choose an essay topic, though, it’s easy to come up blank. If that’s the case, check out this huge round-up of essay topics for high school. You’ll find choices for every subject and writing style.

• Argumentative Essay Topics
• Cause-and-Effect Essay Topics
• Compare-Contrast Essay Topics
• Descriptive Essay Topics
• Expository and Informative Essay Topics
• Humorous Essay Topics

Literary Essay Topics

• Narrative and Personal Essay Topics
• Personal Essay Topics
• Persuasive Essay Topics

Research Essay Topics

Argumentative essay topics for high school.

When writing an argumentative essay, remember to do the research and lay out the facts clearly. Your goal is not necessarily to persuade someone to agree with you, but to encourage your reader to accept your point of view as valid. Here are some possible argumentative topics to try. ( Here are 100 more compelling argumentative essay topics. )

• The most important challenge our country is currently facing is … (e.g., immigration, gun control, economy)
• The government should provide free internet access for every citizen.
• All drugs should be legalized, regulated, and taxed.
• Vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco.
• The best country in the world is …
• Parents should be punished for their minor children’s crimes.
• Should all students have the ability to attend college for free?
• Should physical education be part of the standard high school curriculum?

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• Schools should require recommended vaccines for all students, with very limited exceptions.
• Is it acceptable to use animals for experiments and research?
• Does social media do more harm than good?
• Capital punishment does/does not deter crime.
• What one class should all high schools students be required to take and pass in order to graduate?
• Do we really learn anything from history, or does it just repeat itself over and over?
• Are men and women treated equally?

Cause-and-Effect Essay Topics for High School

A cause-and-effect essay is a type of argumentative essay. Your goal is to show how one specific thing directly influences another specific thing. You’ll likely need to do some research to make your point. Here are some ideas for cause-and-effect essays. ( Get a big list of 100 cause-and-effect essay topics here. )

• Humans are causing accelerated climate change.
• Fast-food restaurants have made human health worse over the decades.
• What caused World War II? (Choose any conflict for this one.)
• Describe the effects social media has on young adults.

• How does playing sports affect people?
• What are the effects of loving to read?
• Being an only/oldest/youngest/middle child makes you …
• What effect does violence in movies or video games have on kids?
• Traveling to new places opens people’s minds to new ideas.
• Racism is caused by …

Compare-Contrast Essay Topics for High School

As the name indicates, in compare-and-contrast essays, writers show the similarities and differences between two things. They combine descriptive writing with analysis, making connections and showing dissimilarities. The following ideas work well for compare-contrast essays. ( Find 80+ compare-contrast essay topics for all ages here. )

• Public and private schools
• Capitalism vs. communism
• Monarchy or democracy
• Dogs vs. cats as pets

• Paper books or e-books
• Two political candidates in a current race
• Going to college vs. starting work full-time
• Working your way through college as you go or taking out student loans
• iPhone or Android
• Instagram vs. Twitter (or choose any other two social media platforms)

Descriptive Essay Topics for High School

Bring on the adjectives! Descriptive writing is all about creating a rich picture for the reader. Take readers on a journey to far-off places, help them understand an experience, or introduce them to a new person. Remember: Show, don’t tell. These topics make excellent descriptive essays.

• Who is the funniest person you know?
• What is your happiest memory?
• Tell about the most inspirational person in your life.
• Write about your favorite place.
• When you were little, what was your favorite thing to do?
• Choose a piece of art or music and explain how it makes you feel.
• What is your earliest memory?

• What’s the best/worst vacation you’ve ever taken?
• Describe your favorite pet.
• What is the most important item in the world to you?
• Give a tour of your bedroom (or another favorite room in your home).
• Describe yourself to someone who has never met you.
• Lay out your perfect day from start to finish.
• Explain what it’s like to move to a new town or start a new school.
• Tell what it would be like to live on the moon.

Expository and Informative Essay Topics for High School

Expository essays set out clear explanations of a particular topic. You might be defining a word or phrase or explaining how something works. Expository or informative essays are based on facts, and while you might explore different points of view, you won’t necessarily say which one is “better” or “right.” Remember: Expository essays educate the reader. Here are some expository and informative essay topics to explore. ( See 70+ expository and informative essay topics here. )

• What makes a good leader?
• Explain why a given school subject (math, history, science, etc.) is important for students to learn.
• What is the “glass ceiling” and how does it affect society?
• Describe how the internet changed the world.
• What does it mean to be a good teacher?

• Explain how we could colonize the moon or another planet.
• Discuss why mental health is just as important as physical health.
• Describe a healthy lifestyle for a teenager.
• Choose an American president and explain how their time in office affected the country.
• What does “financial responsibility” mean?

Humorous Essay Topics for High School

Humorous essays can take on any form, like narrative, persuasive, or expository. You might employ sarcasm or satire, or simply tell a story about a funny person or event. Even though these essay topics are lighthearted, they still take some skill to tackle well. Give these ideas a try.

• What would happen if cats (or any other animal) ruled the world?
• What do newborn babies wish their parents knew?
• Explain the best ways to be annoying on social media.
• Invent a wacky new sport, explain the rules, and describe a game or match.

• Imagine a discussion between two historic figures from very different times, like Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth I.
• Retell a familiar story in tweets or other social media posts.
• Describe present-day Earth from an alien’s point of view.
• Choose a fictional character and explain why they should be the next president.
• Describe a day when kids are in charge of everything, at school and at home.

Literary essays analyze a piece of writing, like a book or a play. In high school, students usually write literary essays about the works they study in class. These literary essay topic ideas focus on books students often read in high school, but many of them can be tweaked to fit other works as well.

• Discuss the portrayal of women in Shakespeare’s Othello .
• Explore the symbolism used in The Scarlet Letter .
• Explain the importance of dreams in Of Mice and Men .
• Compare and contrast the romantic relationships in Pride and Prejudice .

• Dissect the allegory of Animal Farm and its relation to contemporary events.
• Interpret the author’s take on society and class structure in The Great Gatsby .
• Explore the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia.
• Discuss whether Shakespeare’s portrayal of young love in Romeo and Juliet is accurate.
• Explain the imagery used in Beowulf .

Narrative and Personal Essay Topics for High School

Think of a narrative essay like telling a story. Use some of the same techniques that you would for a descriptive essay, but be sure you have a beginning, middle, and end. A narrative essay doesn’t necessarily need to be personal, but they often are. Take inspiration from these narrative and personal essay topics.

• Describe a performance or sporting event you took part in.
• Explain the process of cooking and eating your favorite meal.
• Write about meeting your best friend for the first time and how your relationship developed.
• Tell about learning to ride a bike or drive a car.
• Describe a time in your life when you’ve been scared.

• Share the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you.
• Tell about a time when you overcame a big challenge.
• Tell the story of how you learned an important life lesson.
• Describe a time when you or someone you know experienced prejudice or oppression.
• Explain a family tradition, how it developed, and its importance today.
• What is your favorite holiday? How does your family celebrate it?
• Retell a familiar story from the point of view of a different character.
• Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
• Tell about your proudest moment.

Persuasive Essay Topics for High School

Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative , but they rely less on facts and more on emotion to sway the reader. It’s important to know your audience, so you can anticipate any counterarguments they might make and try to overcome them. Try these topics to persuade someone to come around to your point of view. ( Discover 60 more intriguing persuasive essay topics here. )

• Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?
• Everyone should be vegetarian or vegan.
• What animal makes the best pet?
• Visit an animal shelter, choose an animal that needs a home, and write an essay persuading someone to adopt that animal.
• Who is the world’s best athlete, present or past?
• Should little kids be allowed to play competitive sports?
• Are professional athletes/musicians/actors overpaid?
• The best music genre is …

• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Is capitalism the best form of economy?
• Students should/should not be able to use their phones during the school day.
• Should schools have dress codes?
• If I could change one school rule, it would be …
• Is year-round school a good idea?

A research essay is a classic high school assignment. These papers require deep research into primary source documents, with lots of supporting facts and evidence that’s properly cited. Research essays can be in any of the styles shown above. Here are some possible topics, across a variety of subjects.

• Which country’s style of government is best for the people who live there?
• Choose a country and analyze its development from founding to present day.
• Describe the causes and effects of a specific war.
• Formulate an ideal economic plan for our country.
• What scientific discovery has had the biggest impact on life today?

• Analyze the way mental health is viewed and treated in this country.
• Explore the ways systemic racism impacts people in all walks of life.
• Defend the importance of teaching music and the arts in public schools.
• Choose one animal from the endangered species list, and propose a realistic plan to protect it.

What are some of your favorite essay topics for high school? Come share your prompts on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out the ultimate guide to student writing contests .

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• Patient Care & Health Information
• Diseases & Conditions
• Drug addiction (substance use disorder)

Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you're addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.

Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins when they take prescribed medicines or receive them from others who have prescriptions.

The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others.

As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high. Soon you may need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you may find that it's increasingly difficult to go without the drug. Attempts to stop drug use may cause intense cravings and make you feel physically ill. These are called withdrawal symptoms.

Help from your health care provider, family, friends, support groups or an organized treatment program can help you overcome your drug addiction and stay drug-free.

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Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:

• Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a day
• Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
• Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
• Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended
• Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
• Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it
• Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use
• Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological harm
• Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
• Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug
• Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug
• Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug

Recognizing unhealthy drug use in family members

Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish normal teenage moodiness or anxiety from signs of drug use. Possible signs that your teenager or other family member is using drugs include:

• Problems at school or work — frequently missing school or work, a sudden disinterest in school activities or work, or a drop in grades or work performance
• Physical health issues — lack of energy and motivation, weight loss or gain, or red eyes
• Neglected appearance — lack of interest in clothing, grooming or looks
• Changes in behavior — major efforts to bar family members from entering the teenager's room or being secretive about going out with friends; or drastic changes in behavior and in relationships with family and friends
• Money issues — sudden requests for money without a reasonable explanation; or your discovery that money is missing or has been stolen or that items have disappeared from your home, indicating maybe they're being sold to support drug use

Recognizing signs of drug use or intoxication

Signs and symptoms of drug use or intoxication may vary, depending on the type of drug. Below you'll find several examples.

Marijuana, hashish and other cannabis-containing substances

People use cannabis by smoking, eating or inhaling a vaporized form of the drug. Cannabis often precedes or is used along with other substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs, and is often the first drug tried.

Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:

• A sense of euphoria or feeling "high"
• A heightened sense of visual, auditory and taste perception
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Decreased coordination
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Slowed reaction time
• Anxiety or paranoid thinking
• Cannabis odor on clothes or yellow fingertips
• Major cravings for certain foods at unusual times

Long-term use is often associated with:

• Decreased mental sharpness
• Poor performance at school or at work
• Ongoing cough and frequent lung infections

K2, Spice and bath salts

Two groups of synthetic drugs — synthetic cannabinoids and substituted or synthetic cathinones — are illegal in most states. The effects of these drugs can be dangerous and unpredictable, as there is no quality control and some ingredients may not be known.

Synthetic cannabinoids, also called K2 or Spice, are sprayed on dried herbs and then smoked, but can be prepared as an herbal tea. A liquid form can be vaporized in electronic cigarettes. Despite manufacturer claims, these are chemical compounds rather than "natural" or harmless products. These drugs can produce a "high" similar to marijuana and have become a popular but dangerous alternative.

• Elevated mood
• An altered sense of visual, auditory and taste perception
• Extreme anxiety or agitation
• Hallucinations
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure or heart attack
• Violent behavior

Substituted cathinones, also called "bath salts," are mind-altering (psychoactive) substances similar to amphetamines such as ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine. Packages are often labeled as other products to avoid detection.

Despite the name, these are not bath products such as Epsom salts. Substituted cathinones can be eaten, snorted, inhaled or injected and are highly addictive. These drugs can cause severe intoxication, which results in dangerous health effects or even death.

• Feeling "high"
• Increased sociability
• Increased energy and agitation
• Increased sex drive
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Problems thinking clearly
• Loss of muscle control
• Panic attacks
• Psychotic and violent behavior

Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hypnotics

Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hypnotics are prescription central nervous system depressants. They're often used and misused in search for a sense of relaxation or a desire to "switch off" or forget stress-related thoughts or feelings.

• Barbiturates. An example is phenobarbital.
• Benzodiazepines. Examples include sedatives, such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).
• Hypnotics. Examples include prescription sleeping medicines such as zolpidem (Ambien) and zaleplon (Sonata).
• Slurred speech
• Lack of coordination
• Irritability or changes in mood
• Problems concentrating or thinking clearly
• Memory problems
• Involuntary eye movements
• Lack of inhibition
• Slowed breathing and reduced blood pressure
• Falls or accidents

Meth, cocaine and other stimulants

Stimulants include amphetamines, meth (methamphetamine), cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, others) and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall XR, Mydayis). They're often used and misused in search of a "high," or to boost energy, to improve performance at work or school, or to lose weight or control appetite.

• Feeling of happy excitement and too much confidence
• Increased alertness
• Increased energy and restlessness
• Behavior changes or aggression
• Rapid or rambling speech
• Larger than usual pupils, the black circles in the middle of the eyes
• Confusion, delusions and hallucinations
• Irritability, anxiety or paranoia
• Changes in heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature
• Nausea or vomiting with weight loss
• Poor judgment
• Nasal congestion and damage to the mucous membrane of the nose (if snorting drugs)
• Mouth sores, gum disease and tooth decay from smoking drugs ("meth mouth")
• Depression as the drug wears off

Club drugs are commonly used at clubs, concerts and parties. Examples include methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also called MDMA, ecstasy or molly, and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, known as GHB. Other examples include ketamine and flunitrazepam or Rohypnol — a brand used outside the U.S. — also called roofie. These drugs are not all in the same category, but they share some similar effects and dangers, including long-term harmful effects.

Because GHB and flunitrazepam can cause sedation, muscle relaxation, confusion and memory loss, the potential for sexual misconduct or sexual assault is associated with the use of these drugs.

Signs and symptoms of use of club drugs can include:

• Larger than usual pupils
• Chills and sweating
• Involuntary shaking (tremors)
• Behavior changes
• Muscle cramping and teeth clenching
• Muscle relaxation, poor coordination or problems moving
• Reduced inhibitions
• Heightened or altered sense of sight, sound and taste
• Memory problems or loss of memory
• Reduced consciousness
• Increased or decreased heart rate and blood pressure

Hallucinogens

Use of hallucinogens can produce different signs and symptoms, depending on the drug. The most common hallucinogens are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and phencyclidine (PCP).

LSD use may cause:

• Greatly reduced perception of reality, for example, interpreting input from one of your senses as another, such as hearing colors
• Impulsive behavior
• Rapid shifts in emotions
• Permanent mental changes in perception
• Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure
• Flashbacks, a reexperience of the hallucinations — even years later

PCP use may cause:

• A feeling of being separated from your body and surroundings
• Problems with coordination and movement
• Aggressive, possibly violent behavior
• Lack of pain sensation
• Increase in blood pressure and heart rate
• Problems with thinking and memory
• Problems speaking
• Intolerance to loud noise
• Sometimes seizures or coma

Signs and symptoms of inhalant use vary, depending on the substance. Some commonly inhaled substances include glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids and household aerosol products. Due to the toxic nature of these substances, users may develop brain damage or sudden death.

Signs and symptoms of use can include:

• Possessing an inhalant substance without a reasonable explanation
• Brief happy excitement
• Behaving as if drunk
• Reduced ability to keep impulses under control
• Aggressive behavior or eagerness to fight
• Nausea or vomiting
• Appearing under the influence of drugs, with slurred speech, slow movements and poor coordination
• Irregular heartbeats
• Lingering odor of inhalant material
• Rash around the nose and mouth

Opioid painkillers

Opioids are narcotic, painkilling drugs produced from opium or made synthetically. This class of drugs includes, among others, heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone, fentanyl and oxycodone.

Sometimes called the "opioid epidemic," addiction to opioid prescription pain medicines has reached an alarming rate across the United States. Some people who've been using opioids over a long period of time may need physician-prescribed temporary or long-term drug substitution during treatment.

Signs and symptoms of narcotic use and dependence can include:

• A sense of feeling "high"
• Reduced sense of pain
• Agitation, drowsiness or sedation
• Problems with attention and memory
• Pupils that are smaller than usual
• Lack of awareness or inattention to surrounding people and things
• Problems with coordination
• Constipation
• Runny nose or nose sores (if snorting drugs)
• Needle marks (if injecting drugs)

When to see a doctor

If your drug use is out of control or causing problems, get help. The sooner you seek help, the greater your chances for a long-term recovery. Talk with your health care provider or see a mental health provider, such as a doctor who specializes in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.

Make an appointment to see a provider if:

• You can't stop using a drug
• You continue using the drug despite the harm it causes
• Your drug use has led to unsafe behavior, such as sharing needles or unprotected sex
• You think you may be having withdrawal symptoms after stopping drug use

If you're not ready to approach a health care provider or mental health professional, help lines or hotlines may be a good place to learn about treatment. You can find these lines listed on the internet or in the phone book.

When to seek emergency help

Seek emergency help if you or someone you know has taken a drug and:

• May have overdosed
• Shows changes in consciousness
• Has trouble breathing
• Has seizures or convulsions
• Has signs of a possible heart attack, such as chest pain or pressure
• Has any other troublesome physical or psychological reaction to use of the drug

Staging an intervention

People struggling with addiction usually deny they have a problem and hesitate to seek treatment. An intervention presents a loved one with a structured opportunity to make changes before things get even worse and can motivate someone to seek or accept help.

It's important to plan an intervention carefully. It may be done by family and friends in consultation with a health care provider or mental health professional such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or directed by an intervention professional. It involves family and friends and sometimes co-workers, clergy or others who care about the person struggling with addiction.

During the intervention, these people gather together to have a direct, heart-to-heart conversation with the person about the consequences of addiction. Then they ask the person to accept treatment.

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Like many mental health disorders, several factors may contribute to development of drug addiction. The main factors are:

• Environment. Environmental factors, including your family's beliefs and attitudes and exposure to a peer group that encourages drug use, seem to play a role in initial drug use.
• Genetics. Once you've started using a drug, the development into addiction may be influenced by inherited (genetic) traits, which may delay or speed up the disease progression.

Changes in the brain

Physical addiction appears to occur when repeated use of a drug changes the way your brain feels pleasure. The addicting drug causes physical changes to some nerve cells (neurons) in your brain. Neurons use chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate. These changes can remain long after you stop using the drug.

Risk factors

People of any age, sex or economic status can become addicted to a drug. Certain factors can affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction:

• Family history of addiction. Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely involves an increased risk based on genes. If you have a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, with alcohol or drug addiction, you're at greater risk of developing a drug addiction.
• Mental health disorder. If you have a mental health disorder such as depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or post-traumatic stress disorder, you're more likely to become addicted to drugs. Using drugs can become a way of coping with painful feelings, such as anxiety, depression and loneliness, and can make these problems even worse.
• Peer pressure. Peer pressure is a strong factor in starting to use and misuse drugs, particularly for young people.
• Lack of family involvement. Difficult family situations or lack of a bond with your parents or siblings may increase the risk of addiction, as can a lack of parental supervision.
• Early use. Using drugs at an early age can cause changes in the developing brain and increase the likelihood of progressing to drug addiction.
• Taking a highly addictive drug. Some drugs, such as stimulants, cocaine or opioid painkillers, may result in faster development of addiction than other drugs. Smoking or injecting drugs can increase the potential for addiction. Taking drugs considered less addicting — so-called "light drugs" — can start you on a pathway of drug use and addiction.

Complications

Drug use can have significant and damaging short-term and long-term effects. Taking some drugs can be particularly risky, especially if you take high doses or combine them with other drugs or alcohol. Here are some examples.

• Methamphetamine, opiates and cocaine are highly addictive and cause multiple short-term and long-term health consequences, including psychotic behavior, seizures or death due to overdose. Opioid drugs affect the part of the brain that controls breathing, and overdose can result in death. Taking opioids with alcohol increases this risk.
• GHB and flunitrazepam may cause sedation, confusion and memory loss. These so-called "date rape drugs" are known to impair the ability to resist unwanted contact and recollection of the event. At high doses, they can cause seizures, coma and death. The danger increases when these drugs are taken with alcohol.
• MDMA — also known as molly or ecstasy — can interfere with the body's ability to regulate temperature. A severe spike in body temperature can result in liver, kidney or heart failure and death. Other complications can include severe dehydration, leading to seizures. Long-term, MDMA can damage the brain.
• One particular danger of club drugs is that the liquid, pill or powder forms of these drugs available on the street often contain unknown substances that can be harmful, including other illegally manufactured or pharmaceutical drugs.
• Due to the toxic nature of inhalants, users may develop brain damage of different levels of severity. Sudden death can occur even after a single exposure.

Other life-changing complications

Dependence on drugs can create a number of dangerous and damaging complications, including:

• Getting an infectious disease. People who are addicted to a drug are more likely to get an infectious disease, such as HIV , either through unsafe sex or by sharing needles with others.
• Other health problems. Drug addiction can lead to a range of both short-term and long-term mental and physical health problems. These depend on what drug is taken.
• Accidents. People who are addicted to drugs are more likely to drive or do other dangerous activities while under the influence.
• Suicide. People who are addicted to drugs die by suicide more often than people who aren't addicted.
• Family problems. Behavioral changes may cause relationship or family conflict and custody issues.
• Work issues. Drug use can cause declining performance at work, absenteeism and eventual loss of employment.
• Problems at school. Drug use can negatively affect academic performance and motivation to excel in school.
• Legal issues. Legal problems are common for drug users and can stem from buying or possessing illegal drugs, stealing to support the drug addiction, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or disputes over child custody.
• Financial problems. Spending money to support drug use takes away money from other needs, could lead to debt, and can lead to illegal or unethical behaviors.

The best way to prevent an addiction to a drug is not to take the drug at all. If your health care provider prescribes a drug with the potential for addiction, use care when taking the drug and follow instructions.

Health care providers should prescribe these medicines at safe doses and amounts and monitor their use so that you're not given too great a dose or for too long a time. If you feel you need to take more than the prescribed dose of a medicine, talk to your health care provider.

Preventing drug misuse in children and teenagers

Take these steps to help prevent drug misuse in your children and teenagers:

• Communicate. Talk to your children about the risks of drug use and misuse.
• Listen. Be a good listener when your children talk about peer pressure and be supportive of their efforts to resist it.
• Set a good example. Don't misuse alcohol or addictive drugs. Children of parents who misuse drugs are at greater risk of drug addiction.
• Strengthen the bond. Work on your relationship with your children. A strong, stable bond between you and your child will reduce your child's risk of using or misusing drugs.

Preventing a relapse

Once you've been addicted to a drug, you're at high risk of falling back into a pattern of addiction. If you do start using the drug, it's likely you'll lose control over its use again — even if you've had treatment and you haven't used the drug for some time.

• Follow your treatment plan. Monitor your cravings. It may seem like you've recovered and you don't need to keep taking steps to stay drug-free. But your chances of staying drug-free will be much higher if you continue seeing your therapist or counselor, going to support group meetings and taking prescribed medicine.
• Avoid high-risk situations. Don't go back to the neighborhood where you used to get your drugs. And stay away from your old drug crowd.
• Get help immediately if you use the drug again. If you start using the drug again, talk to your health care provider, your mental health provider or someone else who can help you right away.

Drug addiction (substance use disorder) care at Mayo Clinic

• Substance-related and addictive disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2013. https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org. Accessed Aug. 15, 2022.
• Brown AY. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. April 13, 2021.
• DrugFacts: Understanding drug use and addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction. Accessed Aug. 15, 2022.
• American Psychiatric Association. What is a substance use disorder? https://psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction-substance-use-disorders/what-is-a-substance-use-disorder. Accessed Sept. 2, 2022.
• Eddie D, et al. Lived experience in new models of care for substance use disorder: A systematic review of peer recovery support services and recovery coaching. Frontiers in Psychology. 2019; doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01052.
• Commonly used drugs charts. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/commonly-used-drugs-charts. Accessed Aug. 16, 2022.
• Drugs, brains, and behavior: The science of addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction. Accessed Aug. 16, 2022.
• Drugs of abuse: A DEA resource guide/2020 edition. United States Drug Enforcement Administration. https://admin.dea.gov/documents/2020/2020-04/2020-04-13/drugs-abuse. Accessed Aug. 31, 2022.
• Misuse of prescription drugs research report. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/overview. Accessed Aug. 17, 2022.
• Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide. 3rd ed. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/preface. Accessed Aug. 17, 2022.
• The science of drug use: A resource for the justice sector. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/drug-topics/criminal-justice/science-drug-use-resource-justice-sector. Accessed Sept. 2, 2022.
• Naloxone DrugFacts. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/naloxone. Accessed Aug. 31, 2022.
• Drug and substance use in adolescents. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/problems-in-adolescents/drug-and-substance-use-in-adolescents. Accessed Sept. 2, 2022.
• DrugFacts: Synthetic cannabinoids (K2/Spice). National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/synthetic-cannabinoids-k2spice. Accessed Aug. 18, 2022.
• Hall-Flavin DK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. March 5, 2021.
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What is the COVID-19 vaccine?

The COVID-19 vaccine lessens the severity of COVID-19 by teaching the immune system to recognize and fight the virus that causes the disease.

For fall/winter 2023–2024, the updated COVID-19 vaccine is based on the XBB.1.5 variant. The updated vaccine is made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax. This season, only one shot of the vaccine is needed for most people, and there are no boosters. (People who are immunocompromised or ages 6 months to 4 years may need more than one 2023–2024 vaccine.)

How is the 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine different from previous COVID-19 vaccines?

The 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine targets XBB.1.5, a subvariant of Omicron. While none of the variants currently circulating are exact matches to the vaccine, they are all closely related to the XBB.1.5 strain. Studies show that the updated vaccine is effective against the  variants currently causing the majority of COVID-19 cases  in the U.S.

Who should get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Because the 2023–2024 vaccine is effective for recent strains of COVID-19, it is recommended that everyone stay up to date with this vaccine. Previous vaccines or boosters were not developed to target the more recent strains. For 2023–2024, the CDC recommends:

• Everyone age 5 and older receive one shot of the updated vaccine.
• Children ages 6 months to 4 years may need more than one shot to be up to date.
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may need more than one shot.

You can review the full recommendations on the CDC’s Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines webpage . Be sure to talk to your primary care doctor or pediatrician if you are unsure about vaccine recommendations.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Side effects vary and may last one to three days. Common side effects are:

• Soreness at the injection site

COVID-19 Vaccine and Pregnancy

COVID-19 vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are safe and recommended for people who are pregnant or lactating, as well as for those r intending to become pregnant.

People who are pregnant or were recently pregnant are at a greater risk for severe COVID-19. Having a severe case of COVID-19 while pregnant is linked to a higher risk of pre-term birth and stillbirth and might increase the risk of other pregnancy complications.

What should parents know about the COVID-19 vaccine and children?

The CDC recommends the 2023–2024 vaccine for adolescents and teenagers ages 12 and older, and for children ages 6 months through 11 years.

• Children age 5 and older need one shot of the updated vaccine.

Children are less likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19 than adults, although serious illness can happen. Speak with your pediatrician if you have questions about having your child vaccinated.

If I recently had COVID-19, do I need a 2023–2024 vaccine?

If you recently had COVID-19, the CDC recommends waiting about three months before getting this updated vaccine. If you encounter the virus again, having the updated vaccine will:

• Lessen your risk of severe disease that could require hospitalization
• Reduce the chance that you infect someone else with COVID-19
• Help keep you protected from currently circulating COVID-19 variants

How long should I wait to get this vaccine if I recently had an earlier version of a COVID-19 vaccine or booster?

People age 5 years and older should wait at least two months after getting the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine before receiving the 2023–2024 vaccine,  according to CDC guidance .

Is natural immunity better than a vaccine?

Natural immunity is the antibody protection your body creates against a germ once you’ve been infected with it. Natural immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 is no better than vaccine-acquired immunity, and it comes with far greater risks. Studies show that natural immunity to the virus weakens over time and does so faster than immunity provided by COVID-19 vaccination.

Do I need a COVID-19 booster?

The 2023–2024 vaccine is a one-shot vaccine for most people, and there is no booster this season. (People who are immunocompromised or ages 6 months to 4 years may need more than one 2023–2024 vaccine.)

The FDA calls this an updated vaccine (not a “booster” like previous shots) because it builds a new immune response to variants that are currently circulating. This change reflects the current approach of treating COVID-19 similarly to the flu, with preventive measures such as an annual vaccination.

When should I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Like the flu and other respiratory diseases, COVID-19 tends to be more active in the fall and winter, so getting a vaccine in the fall is recommended.

How quickly does the COVID-19 vaccine become effective?

It usually takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become effective. The CDC website provides more information on how the COVID-19 vaccines work .

How long does the COVID-19 vaccine last?

Studies suggest that COVID-19 vaccines are most effective during the first three months after vaccination.

Is it safe to get a flu and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?

Yes, it safe to get both shots at the same time. Keep in mind that each has similar side effects and you may experience side effects from both.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe?

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines approved by the FDA meet rigorous testing criteria and are safe and effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death. Millions of people have received the vaccines, and the CDC continues to monitor their safety and effectiveness as well as rare adverse events.

Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?

The COVID-19 vaccine is available at pharmacies. See vaccines.gov to find a convenient location.

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StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.

StatPearls [Internet].

Ketogenic diet.

Wajeed Masood ; Pavan Annamaraju ; Mahammed Z. Khan Suheb ; Kalyan R. Uppaluri .

Affiliations

Last Update: June 16, 2023 .

• Continuing Education Activity

Despite continuous advances in the medical world, obesity remains a significant worldwide health hazard, contributing to adult mortality rates as high as 2.8 million per year. Obesity is closely linked to numerous chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, often resulting from an unhealthy lifestyle and poor dietary habits. The implementation of appropriately tailored diet regimens for weight reduction can help mitigate the obesity epidemic to some extent. One diet regimen that has shown efficacy in rapid weight loss is the very low-carbohydrate and high-fat ketogenic diet. This activity aims to review the evaluation and considerations for the ketogenic diet while highlighting the role of the interprofessional team in educating patients about the associated risks and benefits of this dietary approach.

• Differentiate between the ketogenic diet and other dietary approaches, considering their specific mechanisms, macronutrient composition, and potential benefits and risks.
• Screen patients for potential contraindications or conditions that may require modifications or close monitoring when implementing the ketogenic diet.
• Assess and monitor patients' progress, including weight loss, metabolic markers, and potential adverse effects associated with the ketogenic diet.
• Collaborate with registered dietitians and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive support and education to patients on the ketogenic diet.
• Introduction

Despite continuous advances in the medical world, obesity remains a major worldwide health hazard, contributing to adult mortality as high as 2.8 million per year. [1] This pervasive issue is closely linked to the development of chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, all predominantly associated with an unhealthy lifestyle and poor dietary habits. However, implementing appropriately tailored diet regimens for weight reduction can potentially mitigate the obesity epidemic to some extent. Among these regimens, the very low-carbohydrate and high-fat ketogenic diet has emerged as a highly effective approach for rapid weight loss. [1] [2] [3]

The ketogenic or keto diet is a dietary approach characterized by high-fat and low-carbohydrate intake, aiming to facilitate weight loss, enhance mental clarity, and boost energy levels. [4] By significantly reducing carbohydrate consumption and increasing fat and protein intake, this diet induces a metabolic state called ketosis, where the body utilizes fat as its primary fuel source instead of carbohydrates. The primary goal of the ketogenic diet is to decrease overall body fat and improve metabolic health. Recent research indicates potential benefits in reducing the risk of certain diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, and cancer. [4]

A ketogenic diet primarily consists of high fat intake, moderate protein consumption, and low carbohydrate intake. The macronutrient distribution typically ranges from approximately 55% to 60% fat, 30% to 35% protein, and 5% to 10% carbohydrates. For instance, in a 2000 kcal per day diet, the carbohydrate allowance would amount to approximately 20 to 50 grams daily. [5]

History and Origin

Russell Wilder first used the ketogenic diet to treat epilepsy in 1921. [5] He also coined the term "ketogenic diet." Through his observations, Wilder noticed the diet reduced the frequency and intensity of seizures in a subset of his patients who followed this dietary approach. For almost a decade, the ketogenic diet was viewed as a therapeutic option for pediatric epilepsy, but its prominence diminished with the advent of antiepileptic drugs.

The diet was popularized in the 1970s and has since been widely studied as a potential treatment for various conditions. [5]  In recent years, the ketogenic diet has experienced a resurgence, particularly as a weight loss intervention, proving its efficacy in the short term. [6]

Physiology and Biochemistry

Carbohydrates typically serve as the main source of energy production in the body's tissues. However, when carbohydrate intake is restricted to less than 50 grams daily, insulin secretion decreases significantly, leading the body into a catabolic state. As a result, glycogen stores are depleted, triggering a series of metabolic changes. Two prominent metabolic processes come into play when carbohydrates are limited in body tissues: gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis. [7] [8]

Gluconeogenesis is the process by which the body produces glucose internally, primarily in the liver, using substrates such as pyruvate, lactic acid, glycerol, and specific amino acids classified as glucogenic. [9] [10] [9] When glucose availability drops, the endogenous breakdown of glucose cannot provide sufficient energy, ie, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The metabolic pathway switches to ketogenesis to provide an alternate energy source in the form of ketone bodies. Ketone bodies replace glucose as a primary source of energy.

During ketogenesis, insulin secretion is low due to feedback from blood glucose levels, leading to a decrease in the stimulation of fat and glucose storage. Other hormonal changes may contribute to the increased fat breakdown resulting in fatty acids. Fatty acids are metabolized to acetoacetate, later converted to beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetone. These primary ketone bodies (ie, acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetone) accumulate in the body as the ketogenic diet is sustained and serve as an alternative energy source for the body. This metabolic state is referred to as "nutritional ketosis." As long as the body is deprived of carbohydrates, the metabolism remains ketotic. Nutritional ketosis is generally considered safe since it involves the production of ketone bodies in moderate concentrations without significantly impacting blood pH. Nutritional ketosis differs from ketoacidosis, a severe and life-threatening condition characterized by excessively high levels of ketone bodies, leading to acidosis in the blood. [9]

Ketone bodies synthesized within the body can be effectively utilized as an energy source by vital organs such as the heart, muscle tissue, and kidneys. [11] Ketone bodies can also cross the blood-brain barrier to provide an alternative energy source for the brain. RBCs and the liver do not utilize ketones due to a lack of mitochondria and enzyme diaphorase.

Ketone body production depends on several factors, such as resting basal metabolic rate (BMR), body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage. Ketone bodies, often referred to as a "super fuel," produce a greater amount of ATP than glucose. When comparing energy production, 100 grams of acetoacetate generates 9,400 grams of ATP, 100 grams of beta-hydroxybutyrate yields 10,500 grams of ATP, while 100 grams of glucose produces only 8,700 grams of ATP. Ketone bodies enable the body to maintain efficient fuel production even when experiencing a caloric deficit. Additionally, ketone bodies can reduce free radical damage and enhance the body's antioxidant capacity. [11] [12]

Four types of ketogenic diets are categorized based on the percentage of macronutrients they contain, allowing for increased compliance with the regimens. These include the classic long-chain triglyceride (LCT) ketogenic diet, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) ketogenic diet, modified Atkins diet (MAD), and low glycemic index treatment.

• Issues of Concern

Adverse Effects

The ketogenic diet's short-term effects (up to 2 years) are well-reported and established. However, the long-term health implications are unknown due to limited literature. [13] [14] [15]

The ketogenic diet may present some common and generally mild short-term adverse effects, known as the "keto flu." These symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, reduced exercise tolerance, and constipation. These symptoms resolve in a few days to weeks. Ensuring adequate fluid and electrolyte intake can help counter some of these symptoms. Long-term adverse effects include hepatic steatosis, hypoproteinemia, hypocitraturia, hypercalciuria, kidney stones, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. [16] [5] [16]

• Nutrient deficiencies: Keto diets are very restrictive and can lead to inadequate intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. [4]
• Digestive issues: High-fat, low-fiber diets can cause digestive problems, such as constipation, diarrhea, and bloating.
• Kidney stones: A high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet can increase the risk of developing kidney stones.
• Heart disease: A ketogenic diet can increase the risk of heart disease due to its high saturated fat content and lack of fiber. [4]
• Muscle loss: Rapid weight loss on a ketogenic diet can lead to muscle loss, negatively impacting athletic performance.
• Cognitive decline: The effects of low-carbohydrate diets on brain metabolism can potentially lead to cognitive decline. [17] [18]

Cautions and Contraindications

Patients with diabetes taking insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents may experience severe hypoglycemia if their medications are not appropriately adjusted before initiating a ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet is contraindicated in individuals with pancreatitis, liver failure, disorders of fat metabolism, primary carnitine deficiency, carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency, carnitine translocase deficiency, porphyrias, or pyruvate kinase deficiency. Additionally, individuals following a ketogenic diet may rarely experience a false positive breath alcohol test due to the conversion of acetone to isopropanol by hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase, resulting in an inaccurate reading.

• Clinical Significance

Recent epidemiological studies have challenged the popular belief that high-fat diets directly cause obesity and diseases like coronary heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. These studies have not observed a conclusive causal relationship between dietary fat intake and these conditions. Additionally, research on animals fed high-fat diets has not demonstrated a direct link to obesity. On the contrary, very low-carbohydrate and high-fat diets, such as the ketogenic diet, have shown benefits for weight loss.

Evidence Behind the Ketogenic Diet

Regarding overall caloric intake, carbohydrates comprise around 55% of the typical American diet, ranging from 200 to 350 grams daily. [19]  Until recently, the significant potential of refined carbohydrates to cause detrimental effects was largely overlooked. However, emerging research has highlighted the negative impact of consuming excessive amounts of sugar-laden foods. Studies have shown that a higher intake of sugar-laden foods is associated with a 44% increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome and obesity and a 26% higher risk of developing diabetes. [19]

A comprehensive study conducted in 2012 examining cardiometabolic deaths in the United States revealed that approximately 45.4% of these deaths, including those attributed to heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, were associated with suboptimal intakes of 10 specific dietary factors. Among the nutritional factors examined, the study found that the highest estimated mortality was associated with high sodium intake, accounting for 9.5% of cardiometabolic deaths. This was followed by nuts and seeds (8.5%), high intake of processed meats (8.2%), low intake of omega-3 fats (7.8%), low intake of vegetables 7.6%), low intake of fruits (7.5%), and high intake of artificially sweetened beverages (7.4%). [20] The lowest estimated mortality was associated with consuming low polyunsaturated fats (2.3%) and unprocessed red meats (0.4%). In addition to the direct harm caused by excessive consumption of low-quality carbohydrates, another concern is that such consumption can crowd out healthier food options from the diet. When individuals consume an excess of low-quality carbohydrates, there may be limited space in their diet for more nutritious foods like nuts, unprocessed grains, fruits, and vegetables. [20]

1) Diabetes 

A recently published randomized crossover trial comparing the effects of ketogenic and Mediterranean diets revealed that patients who adhered to a well-formulated ketogenic diet experienced improved glucose control and reduced body weight. [21]  Although the blood sugar levels were reduced, the decrease in HbA1c levels was modest, with a reduction of less than 20%. Additionally, study participants had difficulty adhering to the strict dietary regimen. [21]  These findings have led to debates, as some argue that any restriction on carbohydrate intake would inevitably lead to a reduction in blood sugar and HbA1c levels.

2) Heart disease 

Research suggests that a ketogenic diet can reduce the risk of heart disease. A systematic review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2019 found that a ketogenic diet can lower markers of inflammation, which is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease. Furthermore, a study published in Circulation in 2020 demonstrated that a low-carbohydrate, high-fat ketogenic diet could reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, a significant risk factor for heart disease. These findings indicate that a ketogenic diet may effectively reduce the risk of heart disease.

3) Obesity 

Over the past century, the prevalence of obesity has increased, leading to the emergence of various diet programs. Among them, the ketogenic diet has shown significant benefits compared to other diets. A meta-analysis of 11 studies found that the low-carbohydrate diet group experienced considerable weight reductions compared to the low-fat diet group. Individuals assigned to a very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (VLCKD) experienced decreases in body weight, triglycerides, and diastolic blood pressure, as well as increases in HDL-C and LDL-C. Moreover, the VLCKD resulted in more significant long-term weight loss compared to a low-fat diet, suggesting it is a potential alternative option for obesity management. [22]  Similarly, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) revealed that the ketogenic diet is particularly effective in improving metabolic parameters related to glycemic control, weight management, and lipid control in obese individuals, particularly those with preexisting diabetes. Compared to low-fat diets, the ketogenic diet demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of glycemic control, weight loss, and lipid markers. [23]  The ketogenic diet also showed positive effects on insulin resistance and lipid markers, suggesting it can improve metabolic markers independent of weight loss.

4) Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease 

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent disease characterized by hepatic adiposity, which can lead to liver damage, fibrosis, and inflammation. Weight loss is recommended as part of the general clinical management of NAFLD. However, it has been reported that low-carbohydrate diets, particularly those high in fat, may exacerbate hepatic steatosis due to their impact on cholesterol levels and liver function. [24] The ketogenic diet induces a shift in the gut microbiome, resulting in increased folate production and reduced inflammation and oxidative stress. Furthermore, the ketogenic diet promotes a sense of satiety and induces epigenetic modifications that play a role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and allows the expression of antiinflammatory markers at the genetic level. [24]  

5) Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)  

PCOS is related to increased insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, T2DM, dyslipidemia, and hyperandrogenism. The mechanism by which a ketogenic diet helps PCOS is unclear. However, many theories postulate lowering insulin resistance helps with improving androgen levels. A crossover study compared the effects of a standard diet and a low-carbohydrate diet on PCOS and showed that the low-carbohydrate diet decreased glycemia, fasting serum insulin, and testosterone and increased insulin sensitivity. [25]

6) Neurodegenerative disorders 

• Alzheimer disease: A ketogenic diet regulates brain metabolism, mitochondrial homeostasis, and inflammation in Alzheimer disease by increasing mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress. [26]
• Parkinson disease: A pilot RCT compared the effect of a low-fat diet versus the ketogenic diet in Parkinson's disease. The study had 47 patients, and both groups showed a decrease in the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS). However, the group on the ketogenic diet showed a more significant reduction than the low-fat diet group. Also, the ketogenic group showed more significant improvements in nonmotor symptoms. [27]
• Epilepsy: The ketogenic diet, described initially as a successful treatment for epilepsy, has regained attention through numerous studies showcasing its effectiveness in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and certain pediatric epilepsy syndromes. [28]

7) Cancer 

The therapeutic impact of the ketogenic diet on tumors, such as neuroblastoma, acute myeloid leukemia, and glioblastoma, is attributed to its ability to downregulate GPR109A expression, activate mTORC1, and reduce glucose uptake at the tumor site. This results in suppressed tumor growth, improved survival rates, and enhanced efficacy of chemotherapy.

A recent systemic review and meta-analysis of RCTs comparing the long-term effects (more than 1 year) of dietary interventions on weight loss revealed a lack of substantial evidence supporting the recommendation of low-fat diets. [29] Low-carbohydrate diets were found to be more effective in achieving significant weight loss compared to low-fat interventions. Additionally, a carbohydrate-restricted diet was found to maintain better an individual's basal metabolic rate (BMR), suggesting that the quality of calories consumed can impact the number of calories burned. In comparison to a very low-carb diet, a low-fat diet resulted in a decrease of more than 400 kcal per day in BMR. [29]

A well-formulated ketogenic diet not only restricts carbohydrates but also moderates protein intake to less than 1 gram per pound of body weight, with the option to increase to 1.5 grams per pound for individuals engaged in heavy exercise involving weight training. This limitation on protein intake aims to prevent endogenous glucose production through gluconeogenesis. However, there are no specific restrictions on fat or overall daily calorie intake.

Individuals on a ketogenic diet typically experience rapid weight loss, often up to 10 pounds in 2 weeks or less. This initial weight loss is attributed to the diet's diuretic effect; the loss of water weight is followed by fat loss. Interestingly, the ketogenic diet tends to preserve lean body muscle mass. As nutritional ketosis is sustained, hunger decreases, and the overall reduction in caloric intake further aids in weight loss.

• Other Issues

Long-term compliance with a ketogenic diet can be challenging, as is the case with any lifestyle change. While the ketogenic diet has shown superior results in inducing rapid and sustained weight loss in individuals with obesity for up to two years, understanding its clinical impacts, safety, tolerability, efficacy, treatment duration, and long-term prognosis after discontinuation of the diet requires further investigation.

The duration of following a ketogenic diet can range from a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks up to 6 to 12 months. Close monitoring of renal functions while on a ketogenic diet is imperative, and the transition from a ketogenic diet to a standard diet should be gradual and well-controlled.

• Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

To counter the obesity epidemic, some healthcare practitioners recommend the ketogenic diet. However, practitioners should use evidence-based medicine when recommending this diet for individualized patient care. 

Overweight individuals with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes will likely experience improvements in clinical markers of disease risk by adopting a well-formulated, very low-carbohydrate diet. This diet can enhance glucose control through reduced glucose intake and improved insulin sensitivity. In addition to weight reduction, particularly in abdominal obesity and insulin resistance, low-carb diets may also help improve blood pressure, blood glucose regulation, triglyceride levels, and HDL cholesterol levels. However, it's important to note that LDL cholesterol levels may increase when following this diet.

Numerous studies have highlighted the potential therapeutic benefits of the ketogenic diet in various neurological disorders, including epilepsy, dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and traumatic brain injury, and acne, cancers, and metabolic disorders. [5]

The lack of long-term studies and the complexity of the mechanism make it premature to generally recommend the ketogenic diet for preventing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. However, it can be considered for primary weight loss.

While the ketogenic diet may help one lose weight in the short term, this weight loss is not sustained over the long run. In addition, countless studies show that the diet is associated with many complications that often lead to emergency room visits and admissions for dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and hypoglycemia. [30] [31] [32]

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Disclosure: Wajeed Masood declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Pavan Annamaraju declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Mahammed Khan Suheb declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Kalyan Uppaluri declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

This book is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ), which permits others to distribute the work, provided that the article is not altered or used commercially. You are not required to obtain permission to distribute this article, provided that you credit the author and journal.

• Cite this Page Masood W, Annamaraju P, Khan Suheb MZ, et al. Ketogenic Diet. [Updated 2023 Jun 16]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.

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15.9: Cause-and-Effect Essay

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Learning Objectives

• Read an example of the cause-and-effect rhetorical mode.

Effects of Video Game Addiction

Video game addition is a serious problem in many parts of the world today and deserves more attention. It is no secret that children and adults in many countries throughout the world, including Japan, China, and the United States, play video games every day. Most players are able to limit their usage in ways that do not interfere with their daily lives, but many others have developed an addiction to playing video games and suffer detrimental effects.

An addiction can be described in several ways, but generally speaking, addictions involve unhealthy attractions to substances or activities that ultimately disrupt the ability of a person to keep up with regular daily responsibilities. Video game addiction typically involves playing games uncontrollably for many hours at a time—some people will play only four hours at a time while others cannot stop for over twenty-four hours. Regardless of the severity of the addiction, many of the same effects will be experienced by all.

One common effect of video game addiction is isolation and withdrawal from social experiences. Video game players often hide in their homes or in Internet cafés for days at a time—only reemerging for the most pressing tasks and necessities. The effect of this isolation can lead to a breakdown of communication skills and often a loss in socialization. While it is true that many games, especially massive multiplayer online games, involve a very real form of e-based communication and coordination with others, and these virtual interactions often result in real communities that can be healthy for the players, these communities and forms of communication rarely translate to the types of valuable social interaction that humans need to maintain typical social functioning. As a result, the social networking in these online games often gives the users the impression that they are interacting socially, while their true social lives and personal relations may suffer.

Another unfortunate product of the isolation that often accompanies video game addiction is the disruption of the user’s career. While many players manage to enjoy video games and still hold their jobs without problems, others experience challenges at their workplace. Some may only experience warnings or demerits as a result of poorer performance, or others may end up losing their jobs altogether. Playing video games for extended periods of time often involves sleep deprivation, and this tends to carry over to the workplace, reducing production and causing habitual tardiness.

Video game addiction may result in a decline in overall health and hygiene. Players who interact with video games for such significant amounts of time can go an entire day without eating and even longer without basic hygiene tasks, such as using the restroom or bathing. The effects of this behavior pose significant danger to their overall health.

The causes of video game addiction are complex and can vary greatly, but the effects have the potential to be severe. Playing video games can and should be a fun activity for all to enjoy. But just like everything else, the amount of time one spends playing video games needs to be balanced with personal and social responsibilities.

Online Cause-and-Effective Essay Alternatives

Norman Cousins examines cause and effect in boxing in Who Killed Benny Paret?

• ecmd.nju.edu.cn/UploadFile/6/2552/wb2427.doc

Lawrence Otis Graham examines racism, and whether it has changed since the 1970s, in The “Black Table” Is Still There :

• http://scremeens.googlepages.com/The...Tableessay.rtf

Robin Tolmach Lakoff discusses the power of language to dehumanize in From Ancient Greece to Iraq: The Power of Words in Wartime :

• http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/18/sc...n-wartime.html

Alan Weisman examines the human impact on the planet and its effects in Earth without People :

• http://discovermagazine.com/2005/feb/earth-without-people