Political

• Exploring political events or situations can provide cause and effect essay topics. This can include the reasons leading up to the U.S. civil war or the causes of World War I. Exploring current discussions, such as the effect of changes to Social Security and Medicaid on senior citizens is another good subject. Definitive situations, such as presidential elections, can be explored by cause and effect as well.
  
  

Historical

• The Great Depression, the rise and fall of the Mafia in the United States, the effect of the automobile on the U.S. economy are examples of topics that cover the cause and effect of historical events. Explore the reasons for the events, the outcomes and the long-term effects in your cause and effect essay. The causes leading to and the effects of terrorism on U.S. soil is a good topical theme to explore and one that still has many avenues of discussion.
  
  

Societal

• The effects of the introduction of television into American society and the computer age and its effect on the world are good cause and effect essay themes. Many causes and effects can be explored for these types of topics, from such simple things as the effect of fast food on the diet of inner city children to the cause and effect of the Internet on global commerce.
  
  

Whimsical

• Sports figures you love or hate and the reasons they become celebrities, or even why candy bars are a universally cherished treat are cause and effect themes that involve fun topics. Something simple and nonsensical can be argued in a serious format. Why Dixie cups are an important bathroom item could be a cause and effect essay with both whimsy and serious tones when relating to the fun of the item and it's importance in fighting germs. Choose a topic that is dear to your heart in this theme for your cause and effect essay.