Create cause-and-effect or compare-and-contrast essays

Skilled fifth-grade writers can pick the RIGHT essay shape for the question they are answering. Two of the most useful shapes are the CAUSE-AND-EFFECT essay and the COMPARE-AND-CONTRAST essay. Each one has its own job, its own structure, and its own set of signal words.

Cause-and-Effect Essays

A cause-and-effect essay explains WHY something happened (the CAUSE) and what RESULTED from it (the EFFECT). The writer connects events in a clear chain so the reader sees the link between them.

• CAUSE — the reason something happened. Example: It rained heavily for three hours.
• EFFECT — the result that followed. Example: The street flooded and traffic stopped.
• Signal words for cause-effect: BECAUSE, SINCE, AS A RESULT, THEREFORE, SO, DUE TO.
• Structure: name the cause, explain it, then walk the reader through one or more effects.

Compare-and-Contrast Essays

A compare-and-contrast essay explains how two things are ALIKE (similarities) and how they are DIFFERENT (differences). The writer picks two subjects worth comparing and shows the reader what they share and where they part ways.

• SIMILARITY — a way the two subjects are alike. Example: Both cats and dogs are mammals.
• DIFFERENCE — a way the two subjects are not the same. Example: Cats meow but dogs bark.
• Signal words for compare-contrast: LIKE, BOTH, SIMILARLY, HOWEVER, UNLIKE, WHILE, ON THE OTHER HAND.

Two Ways to Organize a Compare-Contrast Essay

1. SUBJECT-BY-SUBJECT — write everything about subject A first, then everything about subject B. Easier for short essays.
2. POINT-BY-POINT — pick the points you will compare (size, food, behavior) and discuss both subjects under each point. Stronger for longer essays because the reader sees the comparison directly.