Writing a Cause and Effect Essay

2nd Year Bac · Unit 9 · Writing

Learn to explain why something happens and what results from it — a common exam essay type, often about technology.

What the exam asks

In this task, you discuss the causes (reasons) and effects (results) of an issue — often related to technology, such as smartphone overuse or social media. You already learned the connectors for this in an earlier unit; now you’ll use them to build a full essay.

ماذا يطلب الامتحان؟
في هذه المهمة، تناقش أسباب ونتائج قضية معينة — غالبًا متعلقة بالتكنولوجيا، مثل الإفراط في استخدام الهاتف الذكي أو وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي. تعلمت سابقًا أدوات الربط لهذا الغرض؛ الآن ستستخدمها لبناء مقال كامل.

The structure

Introduction — introduce the issue and state that it has both causes and effects.

Causes — present 2–3 clear reasons, each explained.

Effects — present 2–3 clear results, each explained.

Conclusion — a summary and your point of view.

Golden order

Introduction → causes → effects → conclusion with your point of view.

1) The introduction

Useful openers

… is a serious issue that affects…… has become a growing concern in recent years.It is the outcome of several reasonsand it also has serious effects.I am going to shed light on both the causes and effects of…

Example

Smartphone addiction has become a growing concern in recent years. It is the outcome of several reasons, and it also has serious effects on young people’s lives.

2) Presenting causes

Reuse the cause connectors you already know: because, since, as, because of, due to.

Example

There are several reasons behind this problem. To begin with, smartphones offer constant entertainment, which makes them hard to put down. In addition, many young people feel pressure to stay connected on social media at all times.

3) Presenting effects

Reuse the effect connectors you already know: as a result, consequently, therefore, thus.

Example

As a result, many students struggle to concentrate on their studies. Consequently, their academic performance often declines. Excessive screen time can also affect sleep, which therefore impacts overall health.

4) The conclusion

Useful phrases

To sum up…In conclusion…All things considered…It is up to us to…

Example

To sum up, smartphone addiction has clear causes and serious effects. It is up to us to use technology wisely rather than let it control our lives.

Common mistakes to avoid

⚠️ Watch out

❌ Mixing causes and effects together with no clear order → keep them in separate, organised sections.

❌ Listing causes/effects with no connectors: “Phones are addictive. Grades go down.” → ✅ Link them clearly: “Phones are addictive; as a result, grades often go down.”

❌ No personal viewpoint in the conclusion — always end with your own take on the issue.

✏️

Your turn — test your understanding

1. A cause and effect essay discusses ___.
2. What comes FIRST in the essay?
3. Which phrase introduces a CAUSE section?
4. Which phrase introduces an EFFECT?
5. Choose the correct sentence.
6. A good conclusion should include ___.
7. Which connector fits a cause?
8. Which connector fits an effect?
9. Choose the correct sentence.
10. What’s a common mistake in this essay type?
11. “To sum up” belongs in the ___.
12. This essay type often relates to which theme in this unit?

✏️ Writing challenge ✍️

Write a cause and effect essay (about 12–15 sentences) on ONE of these topics:

The causes and effects of social media addiction
The causes and effects of artificial intelligence in the workplace
The causes and effects of screen time on children

Follow the structure: introduction → causes (2–3) → effects (2–3) → conclusion with your point of view.

Watch: How to Write a Cause and Effect Essay

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Writing a Cause and Effect Essay — 2 Bac