Cause and Effect Brainstorm Topics

Brainstorm on at least three of the following prompts. Be sure you have a good idea for an outline before you stop brainstorming.

1. Write about a personal experience that had a profound effect on you. Begin with a brief narration of the event and explore that variety of effects. Possible topics include (but are not limited to): trying to learn something difficult (you may or may not have been successful), a profound school experience (positive or negative), a time you got in trouble with a friend.

• Step 1: Brainstorm potential experiences
• Step 2: Brainstorm effects
• Step 3: Write a "So What?"

2. Think about something you do regularly (for example, reading for pleasure, a hobby, athletics, or texting friends). Brainstorm what causes you to participate in that activity. Brainstorm the effects the activity has on you. If you take this brainstorm to outline, focus on either the cause or the effects.

• Step 1: Brainstorm activities you do regularly.
• Step 2: Brainstorm causes
• Step 3: Brainstorm effects
• Step 4: Write a "So What?"

3. Think about a time when you have been stereotyped. What caused you to be stereotyped? What were the effects on you?

• Step 1: Brainstorm times when you've been stereotyped
  
• Step 2: Brainstorm causes
  
• Step 3: Brainstorm effects
• Step 4: Write a "So What?"

4. Think about times when you have felt threatened or when you have (intentionally or unintentionally) intimidated someone else. What caused the fear? What were the effects on you or on others?

• Step 1: Brainstorm times when you've felt threatened
  
• Step 2: Brainstorm causes
  
• Step 3: Brainstorm effects
• Step 4: Write a "So What?"

 5. Think about an invention or an item of technology and consider its effects on the world. Consider both the positive effects and negative effects.

• Step 1: Brainstorm a list of inventions/technology
  
• Step 2: Brainstorm causes
  
• Step 3: Brainstorm effects
• Step 4: Write a "So What?"