A mnemonic

This is a mnemonic to remember the difference between affect and effect.

A          Very Easy    Noun
Affect - verb, Effect - noun
In 95% of  time this is the rule.

Affect (verb) means to influence - example: The rain affected Amy's hairdo.
It can also mean to act in a way that you don't feel - example: She affected an air of superiority.

Effect (noun) a result - examples: The effect was eye-popping. The sound effects were amazing. The rain had no effect on Amy's hairdo.


Rare uses of affect and effect

Affect can be used as a noun when you're talking about psychology. It means the mood someone appears to have. For example: She displayed a happy affect. ( Psychologists find it useful because they know that you can never really understand what someone else is feeling. You can only know how they appear to be feeling.

Effect as verb - to bring about, to accomplish   -  Effect changes