Solving Problems with a

Cause and Effect Essay: Organization

 

 

Introduction (paragraph 1)

Thesis (first sentence)

The thesis (main idea sentence) includes the cause and the effects. Since this essay will offer solutions to a problem, the cause will be your solution, and the effects will be the positive benefits of your solution.

 

Here are three examples:

· Installing bike racks on buses will help reduce traffic.

· Giving tax refunds to building owners who install solar panels will reduce air pollution.

· Building more outdoor places for children to play will make them better students.

 

Background Information

Beginning immediately, your introduction (first paragraph) should also fully explain the problem you are trying to solve. You must show the reader that you fully understand the problem AND you must show that the problem is an important one. If the reader does not care about the problem, the reader will not care about your solution. Be as specific as possible, and be sure to explain any concepts that may be unfamiliar to readers.

 

Here’s an example of background information to follow the second option above:

Giving tax refunds to building owners who install solar panels will reduce air pollution. Air pollution causes a variety of problems for people living in the city. It can irritate their eyes, nose, and throat, cause headaches and coughs, and make it difficult to breathe. Air pollution can also lead to more serious illnesses, like bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema, and even lung cancer. All of these have a serious negative impact on people’s lives and their productivity. Unfortunately, very few people are willing to give up things like electricity. Automobiles produce the most air pollution, but electrical power plants also produce a significant amount. What if we could reduce the amount of electricity we need from Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) by creating it ourselves?

 

Body (paragraphs 2-x)

· The body is the main part of your essay. It should support the statement you made in your first sentence (your MAIN IDEA). It should explain exactly how your solution would be implemented, and exactly how your solution would lead to the effects you mentioned in your main idea sentence. Be sure to include plenty of details and information, examples, reasons, and so on.

· If you are making more than one point, or if your solution has more than one effect, you should use more than one body paragraph. Each body paragraph should FOCUS on a single point or effect.

· Note that since you already talked about the problem in detail (in paragraph 1), the body paragraphs should focus on your solution–how it works and what its positive effects will be.

· A final tip on body paragraphs: it is a good idea to include arguments against you, but only if you can show that your argument is stronger. For example: It’s true that installing solar panels is expensive, but after about seven years, homeowners will recover their costs and begin saving money. Including counterarguments gives you more authority (presence), since it shows readers that you have thought deeply about your topic.

 

Conclusion (final paragraph)

Writing a conclusion is easy, but writing a good conclusion is difficult. There are three things a conclusion should do:

· Remind readers of the essay’s main argument (main idea).

· Remind readers of your main points, or the foci of your body paragraphs.

· Give readers a takeaway. The takeaway is the thing you want your readers to remember, to think about, to do, or to understand after they have finished reading your essay.