Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
How to Recognise This Type
Look for: “What are the causes and effects of…?”, “Why is this happening and what impact does it have?”, “What has led to [trend] and what are the consequences?”
Recommended Structure
| Paragraph | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase the topic. State you will examine causes and effects. |
| Body 1: Causes | 2–3 main causes, each with explanation and example. |
| Body 2: Effects | 2–3 main effects/consequences that logically follow from the causes. |
| Conclusion | Summarise the cause-effect relationship. Optionally suggest what could be done. |
Building Logical Connections
The difference between a Band 6 and Band 7 cause/effect essay is often the quality of reasoning. Don’t just list causes and effects separately — show how they connect. Each effect should logically flow from a cause you identified.
Useful Language
Causes: “One of the primary reasons for this is…”, “This is largely attributable to…”, “A contributing factor is…”, “This stems from…”
Effects: “As a result of this…”, “This leads to…”, “The consequence of this is…”, “This has a significant impact on…”
Connecting: “Because of [cause], [effect] occurs”, “This, in turn, leads to…”, “The knock-on effect is that…”
Explore Other Essay Types
- Identify 2–3 causes and 2–3 effects, showing how they connect logically.
- Each effect should follow from a cause you identified — don’t list them in isolation.
- Use cause/effect linking language to demonstrate logical reasoning.
- Only propose solutions if the prompt specifically asks for them.