Step 1: Prewriting

A cause or effect paragraph usually highlights either the causes or the effects of a particular circumstance. Your first step is to think about a specific circumstance and decide whether you will write about the causes or the effects of that circumstance.

See this week's reading for possible topics. Once you have a topic, spend about 10 minutes gathering your thoughts about it. See the readings from Week 1 for tips on prewriting.

Ask yourself:

• What is the main point of the paragraph, cause or effect?
• What are the important causes or effects?

Step 2: Planning

Consider the material you gathered in your prewriting and form an outline for your paragraph. Organize your ideas by order of importance.Organize your ideas following the template below or better yet, the A-Z Cause and Effect Template.Download A-Z Cause and Effect Template.

Topic sentence

Cause or effect 1

Support

Support

Cause or effect 2

Support

Support

Cause or effect 3

Support

Support

Conclusion

Check your outline for unity, development, and coherence by asking yourself:

• Is your main idea or topic sentence clear?
• Do your supporting points actually support the main idea? Delete anything off topic
• Do you have enough supporting points and examples? You should have at least three
• Are your supporting points organized in a logical order?

Step 3: Drafting

Using that outline, write the first draft.

• "Flesh out" the ideas from your outline
• Include transitional words and phrases to create a flow between sentences. See this week's reading for a list of transitions for a descriptive paragraph
• Compose a title for your work

Step 4: Polishing

Ask yourself:

• Are my sentences too long or too short?
• Do I have enough sentence variety?
• Are my words appropriate for academic purposes?
• Do I have any major grammatical errors (e.g., fragments, comma splices, or run-on sentences)?
• Do I have any spelling or mechanical errors?
• Are my verb tenses or persons (first, second, third) consistent?
• Are there verbs or adjectives I could replace with better ones (e.g., nice = cordial, amiable, gracious; do = accomplish, undertake, perform)? Let thesaurus.comLinks to an external site. become your new best friend

The use of social media has significant effects on individuals' mental health and well-being. With the rise of digital platforms, several detrimental consequences have emerged, including increased feelings of loneliness and isolation, a negative impact on self-esteem and body image, as well as heightened anxiety and depression symptoms.

One prominent effect of social media is the increased feelings of loneliness and isolation experienced by users. Excessive time spent on social media can lead to decreased real-life social interactions, as individuals become engrossed in virtual connections rather than nurturing their offline relationships. Moreover, the act of comparing one's life to carefully curated posts and seemingly perfect portrayals of others' lives can contribute to a sense of social isolation, exacerbating feelings of loneliness.

Furthermore, social media platforms have been associated with a negative impact on self-esteem and body image. The constant exposure to idealized and edited images on social media creates unrealistic standards of beauty, leading individuals to feel inadequate or dissatisfied with their appearance. The pervasive nature of comparison, fueled by the endless stream of others' highlight reels, can erode self-confidence and instill a sense of unworthiness.

Additionally, social media usage has been linked to heightened anxiety and depression symptoms. Continuous exposure to negative news, cyberbullying, and online harassment can contribute to increased levels of anxiety. The pressure to maintain an online persona, constantly striving for likes, followers, and validation, can lead to chronic stress and depressive symptoms. The performative aspect of social media can amplify feelings of inadequacy and the fear of missing out (FOMO), exacerbating anxiety and depressive tendencies.

In conclusion, the impact of social media on mental health is profound. It manifests in various ways, including increased feelings of loneliness and isolation, a negative impact on self-esteem and body image, as well as heightened anxiety and depression symptoms. To mitigate these effects, it is crucial to use social media mindfully, promoting healthy online habits, fostering genuine connections, and prioritizing self-care in the digital age.