diff --git a/fs_edit_effects.lua b/fs_edit_effects.lua
index 9a3ebf0..00f5ef1 100644
--- a/fs_edit_effects.lua
+++ b/fs_edit_effects.lua
@@ -1,4 +1,33 @@
 
+-- Which diffrent types of effects are available?
+-- -> The following fields are part of an effect/result:
+-- 	r_id		the ID/key of the effect/result
+-- 	r_type		selected from values_what; the staffs allow to use other
+-- 			types like "function" or "give_item" etc. - but that is not
+-- 			supported here (cannot be edited or created; only be shown)
+-- 	r_value		used to store the subtype of r_type
+--
+-- a state/variable:
+--	r_variable	name of a variable the player has *write* access to;
+--	                dropdown list with allowed options
+--	r_operator	selected from values_operator
+--	r_var_cmp_value can be set freely by the player (the variable will be
+--	                set to this value)
+--
+-- a block in the world:
+--	r_pos		a position in the world; determined by asking the player
+--			to punch the block
+--	r_node		(follows from r_pos)
+--	r_param2	(follows from r_pos)
+--
+-- a craft receipe: TODO
+--
+-- on_failure: TODO
+--
+-- Unlike in preconditions, trade (the trade action already happened) and
+-- inventory actions are not supported as effects.
+--
+
 -- some helper lists for creating the formspecs and evaulating
 -- the player's answers:
 
@@ -39,6 +68,77 @@ local check_operator = {
 -- how to store these as r_value (the actual variable is stored in r_variable, and the value in r_new_value):
 local values_operator = {"", "set_to", "unset"}
 
+
+-- get the list of variables the player has *write* access to
+yl_speak_up.get_sorted_player_var_list_write_access = function(pname)
+	local var_list = {}
+	-- some values - like hour of day or HP of the player - can be read in
+	-- a precondition but not be modified
+	-- get the list of variables the player can *write*
+	local tmp = yl_speak_up.get_quest_variables_with_write_access(pname)
+	-- sort that list (the dropdown formspec element returns just an index)
+	table.sort(tmp)
+	for i, v in ipairs(tmp) do
+		table.insert(var_list, v)
+	end
+	return var_list
+end
+
+
+-- returns a human-readable text as description of the effects
+-- (as shown in the edit options dialog and in the edit effect formspec)
+yl_speak_up.show_effect = function(r)
+	if(not(r.r_type) or r.r_type == "") then
+		return "(nothing): Nothing to do. No effect."
+	elseif(r.r_type == "give_item") then
+		return "give_item: Add \""..tostring(r.r_value).."\" to the player's inventory."
+	elseif(r.r_type == "take_item") then
+		return "take_item: Take \""..tostring(r.r_value).."\" from the player's inventory."
+	elseif(r.r_type == "move") then
+		return "move: Move the player to "..tostring(r.r_value).."."
+	elseif(r.r_type == "function") then
+		return "function: execute \""..tostring(r.r_value).."\"."
+	elseif(r.r_type == "trade") then
+		return "trade: obsolete (now defined as an action)"
+	elseif(r.r_type == "dialog") then
+		return "Switch to dialog \""..tostring(r.r_value).."\"."
+	elseif(r.r_type == "state") then
+		if(not(r.r_operator)) then
+			return "Error: Operator not defined."
+		elseif(r.r_operator == "set_to") then
+			return "set VARIABLE[ "..tostring(r.r_variable).." ] to value \""..
+				tostring(r.r_var_cmp_value).."\""
+		elseif(r.r_operator == "unset") then
+			return "discard VARIABLE[ "..tostring(r.r_variable).." ] (unset)"
+		else
+			return "ERROR: Wrong operator \""..tostring(r.r_operator).."\" for "..
+				"VARIABLE[ "..tostring(r.r_variable).." ]"
+		end
+	elseif(r.r_type == "block") then
+		if(not(r.r_pos) or type(r.r_pos) ~= "table"
+		  or not(r.r_pos.x) or not(r.r_pos.y) or not(r.r_pos.z)) then
+			return "ERROR: r.r_pos is "..minetest.serialize(r.r_pos)
+		elseif(r.r_value == "place") then
+			return "Place \""..tostring(r.r_node).."\" with param2: "..tostring(r.r_param2)..
+				" at "..minetest.pos_to_string(p.p_pos).."."
+		elseif(r.r_value == "dig") then
+			return "Dig the block at "..minetest.pos_to_string(r.r_pos).."."
+		elseif(r.r_value == "punch") then
+			return "Punch the block at "..minetest.pos_to_string(r.r_pos).."."
+		elseif(r.r_value == "right-click") then
+			return "Right-click the block at "..minetest.pos_to_string(r.r_pos).."."
+		else
+			return "ERROR: Don't know what to do with the block at "..
+				minetest.pos_to_string(r.r_pos)..": \""..tostring(r.r_value).."\"?"
+		end
+	elseif(r.r_type == "craft") then
+		return "TODO. Crafting is not yet supported."
+	end
+	-- fallback
+	return tostring(r.r_value)
+end
+
+
 -- these are only wrapper functions for those in fs_edit_general.lua
 
 yl_speak_up.input_fs_edit_effects = function(player, formname, fields)
@@ -48,9 +148,8 @@ yl_speak_up.input_fs_edit_effects = function(player, formname, fields)
 		"Please punch the block you want to manipulate in your effect!",
 		values_what, values_operator, values_block, {}, {},
 		check_what, check_operator, check_block, {}, {},
-		-- TODO: this needs to be implemented
 		-- player variables with write access
-		get_sorted_player_var_list,
+		yl_speak_up.get_sorted_player_var_list_write_access,
 		"edit_effects"
 		)
 end
@@ -61,11 +160,9 @@ yl_speak_up.get_fs_edit_effects = function(player, table_click_result)
 		"(Ef)fect", "tmp_result",
 		"What do you want to change with this effect?",
 		check_what, check_operator, check_block, {}, {},
-		-- TODO: this needs to be implemented
 		-- player variables with write access
-		get_sorted_player_var_list,
-		-- TODO: the show_result function needs to be implemented
-		yl_speak_up.show_result,
+		yl_speak_up.get_sorted_player_var_list_write_access,
+		yl_speak_up.show_effect,
 		"table_of_elements",
 		"Change the value of the following variable:", "What to do:", "New value:",
 		"The NPC shall do something to the block at the following position:"
diff --git a/fs_edit_options_dialog.lua b/fs_edit_options_dialog.lua
index e5133ff..8058bf2 100644
--- a/fs_edit_options_dialog.lua
+++ b/fs_edit_options_dialog.lua
@@ -192,14 +192,16 @@ yl_speak_up.get_fs_edit_option_dialog = function(player, n_id, d_id, o_id)
 				list_of_effects = list_of_effects..
 					minetest.formspec_escape(v.r_id)..",#999999,"..
 					minetest.formspec_escape(v.r_type)..","..
-					minetest.formspec_escape(v.r_value)..","
+					minetest.formspec_escape(
+						yl_speak_up.show_effect(v))..","
 				-- there may be more than one in the data structure
 				target_dialog = v.r_value
 			elseif v.r_type ~= "dialog" then
 				list_of_effects = list_of_effects..
 					minetest.formspec_escape(v.r_id)..",#FFFF00,"..
 					minetest.formspec_escape(v.r_type)..","..
-					minetest.formspec_escape(v.r_value)..","
+					minetest.formspec_escape(
+						yl_speak_up.show_effect(v))..","
 			end
 			count_effects = count_effects + 1
 		end
diff --git a/fs_edit_preconditions.lua b/fs_edit_preconditions.lua
index 6fe11f0..860fa9c 100644
--- a/fs_edit_preconditions.lua
+++ b/fs_edit_preconditions.lua
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ yl_speak_up.show_precondition = function(p)
 	if(not(p.p_type) or p.p_type == "") then
 		return "(nothing): Always true."
 	elseif(p.p_type == "item") then
-		return "item: The player has "..tostring(p.p_value).." in his inventory."
+		return "item: The player has \""..tostring(p.p_value).."\" in his inventory."
 	elseif(p.p_type == "quest") then
 		return "quest: Always false."
 	elseif(p.p_type == "auto") then