Knowing whether to use effect or affect may not qualify you as a genius, but you will be demonstrating an understanding about a grammar issue most people find perplexing. I trust that the strategies offered here will clear up any confusion you have had.

Rule: Use the verb effect when you mean bring about or brought about, cause or caused.

Example: He effected a commotion in the crowd.

Meaning: He caused a commotion in the crowd.

Example: She effected a change in procedure.

Meaning: She brought about a change in procedure.

Rule: Use the noun effect when you mean result.

Example: What effect did that speech have?

Rule: Also use the noun effect whenever any of these words precede it: a, an, any, the, take, into, no.

Note: These words may be separated from effect by an adjective.

Examples:
That book had a long-lasting effect on my thinking.
Has the medicine produced any noticeable effects?

Rule: Use the verb affect when you mean to influence rather than to cause.

Example: How do the budget cuts affect your staffing?

Rule: Affect is also used as a noun to mean emotional expression.

Example: She showed little affect when told she had won the lottery.

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