Cause and Effect Checklist

Yes

50/50

NO

CAUSE-EFFECT ESSAY CHECKLIST

 J

K

L

1. The paragraphs are indented (tabbed 5 spaces at the beginning of each paragraph).

2. The introduction contained a general statement or two about the current situation (and maybe the past) and a thesis statement (topic sentence) for the entire essay

3. There is a paragraph for causes (reasons), including a short topic sentence, 2-4 main points and additional details (examples) for each main point.

4. There is a paragraph for effects (results), including a short topic sentence, 2-4 main points, and additional details (examples for each main point.

5. The weakest points for both the cause and effect paragraphs are “hidden” in the middle of each paragraph (not the first or last point).

6. There is a balance in length and, preferably, number of main points for the cause and effect paragraphs (e.g. 3 causes, also 3 effects).

7. Sequence markers (e.g. “first”, “Another outcome”, “A final result”) are used correctly. Circle them. Can you add any others?

8. The writer uses vocabulary that is suitable for the task and uses a variety of words (e.g.: result, outcome, consequence). 

9. The correct verb tenses are used (usually simple present in the body paragraphs, and some modal verbs such as “could”, “might”, “may”).

10. The “fanboys” (conjunctions “for”, “and”, “nor”, “but”, “or”, “yet”, “so” ) are used correctly. They are not capitalized: when/if used, they connect two main clauses (“sentence” + “sentence”).

11. The conclusion points back in general to causes and effects and includes a future statement (a suggestion about the future that, preferably, is a balanced viewpoint).

12. The writer reaches or exceeds the word count (250 words).

About how many words is it? ___________ words

L The writer’s problem area is:

• capitalization;

• agreement (e.g. “they is”);

• spelling;

• punctuation;

• word order;

• article use (a/an/the);

• fragments (incomplete sentences);

• run-on sentences;

• Other

(Circle one or write something else in the blank) Give an example or examples from the text. 

J What did the writer do well?