The Purpose of a Cause and Effect - Essay Example

A good cause-and-effect essay should move beyond establishing what the two parts are, and should also make an argument for why the cause and effect are directly related. The purpose of a cause-and-effect essay is to make an argument, not just to describe a process. The writer should prove the relationship of the cause and effect, and therefore have a thesis in the essay. The writer can’t just tell the reader the focus of the essay, because having a focus or purpose that is sole to explain a cause and effect will leave the reader disinterested.

Overall, asking questions about the cause-and-effect process is a good way to develop the essay, but answering those questions persuasively is even more important. The reader does not just want to know the reason why the effect happened is because of the cause, but also if there are alternative causes or alternative effects that may disprove the usual idea of any cause and effect. The essay should not just analyze or inform but should convey an argument and prove to the reader that the cause and effect are linked.