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.