I need some ideas for a cause and effect essay. It needs to be complex enough to get five paragraphs from it - but not so complex that I go much over that.

My text says that it can be on any subject. I'm just having a hard time coming up with one. Any ideas on one that wouldnt require a lot of research?

They also want me to list "Choose the topic you like the best and create a list or table that includes causes and effects." I have to have at least four causes and effects.

Any help would be much appreciated. :)

Here is one of the best webpages I've found that provides a good set of examples and instruction for this type of essay:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/cause_effect.htm

This discusses the 5-paragraph paper:
(Broken Link Removed)

And here's another topic/example:
http://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/owl&writingcenter/OWL/Cause.html

Here are a couple of sites that have lots of graphic organizers to help you come up with a list or table/chart:
http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/
(The fishbone is a frequently used graphic for cause/effect planning.)

Be sure to use these as idea-generators, but then to make up and develop your own topic.

=)

The fisherman had to be rescued after his boat sank.

One potential topic for a cause and effect essay could be the sinking of the boat and the rescue of the fisherman. Here is an example of how you could break down the causes and effects for this topic:

Causes:
1. Poor weather conditions (e.g., stormy seas, high winds)
2. Boat equipment failure (e.g., engine malfunction, structural issues)
3. Lack of experience or training for the fisherman
4. Negligence in safety precautions (e.g., not checking the weather forecast, not wearing a life jacket)

Effects:
1. Boat sinking
2. Fisherman being stranded in the water
3. Potential injuries or health risks for the fisherman (e.g., hypothermia, injuries from being in the water)
4. Rescue operation initiated
5. Fisherman being successfully rescued

To further develop your essay, you can expand on each cause and effect, providing more details, examples, and evidence to support your points. You can also consider linking the causes and effects together to show a clear sequence of events and demonstrate the relationships between them.

Remember to consult the sources provided earlier to gather more ideas and examples, and use the graphic organizers to plan and organize your thoughts effectively. Good luck with your essay!