virginia: I need to write a 5 page cause and effect research paper for my english class and I'm going to do it on the Virginia Tech Massacre. I don't know whether to format it with 3 effects or 3 causes or both cause and effect. How should I format the subject into paragraphs? Pleeeease help me ASAP. Many, many thanks in advance!|||It depends on what your explanation will be. If you have three separate causes that created three separate and unique effects, then go with that method. Be careful though, because it could look too much like a “shotgun” approach (when you try to cover everything but you end up covering nothing in depth). I think for this particular essay, you should thoroughly explore one cause and its effects, or multiple causes that created one effect. I think the more you can focus your essay, the better it will be. The best essays are when you thoroughly and completely analyze a topic and explain how your evidence supports your thesis, rather than just throwing out a bunch of facts that kindda sortta might support your thesis, but lack analysis. Good luck!|||Sorry to get back so late, but thank you for your advise. I got an A. :) Report Abuse