The Classification The Classification EssayEssay

Strategies for Writing Strategies for Writing Responses to “What Kind of?” Responses to “What Kind of?” EssaysEssays

Classification = Classification = DivisionDivision Writing a classification essay means Writing a classification essay means

dividing members of a group.dividing members of a group.

The members in a class must share The members in a class must share similar characteristicssimilar characteristics

When classifying, you need a principle When classifying, you need a principle of classification.of classification.

The Basis of DivisionThe Basis of Division

For example, we can divide For example, we can divide the the category “cell phones” into the category “cell phones” into the following:following:

– SizesSizes1.1. Small sized cell phonesSmall sized cell phones

2.2. Average sized cell phonesAverage sized cell phones

3.3. Large sized cell phonesLarge sized cell phones

Don’t Mix Principles!Don’t Mix Principles!

It’s confusing to have overlapping It’s confusing to have overlapping bases for classification.bases for classification.

– For example, if you’re characterizing For example, if you’re characterizing cell cell phonesphones by by sizesize, don’t include classes such , don’t include classes such as “as “expensiveexpensive”” or “ or “nice lookingnice looking.”.”

– Stay within the three categories you are Stay within the three categories you are classifyingclassifying!!

Find the out-of-place Find the out-of-place itemitem

1.1. Autos: SUV, pickup, economyAutos: SUV, pickup, economy

2.2. Transport: land, train, air, waterTransport: land, train, air, water

3.3. Rivers: dangerous, short, wideRivers: dangerous, short, wide

4.4. Drugs: uppers, illegal, downersDrugs: uppers, illegal, downers

5.5. Colleges: private, famous, publicColleges: private, famous, public

6.6. Courses: year-long, half-term, mathCourses: year-long, half-term, math

7.7. Housing: rooms, cheap, apartmentsHousing: rooms, cheap, apartments

Types of ClassificationTypes of Classification

TTwo of the wo of the most common types most common types of classification areof classification are

1.1. By By degreedegree, from lower to higher, from lower to higher

2.2. By By chronologychronology, in time periods, in time periods

Classifying by DegreeClassifying by Degree

To classify on the basis of To classify on the basis of degreedegree means to means to judge valuejudge value..

– Good (Good (C grades are goodC grades are good))– Better (Better (BB grades grades are betterare better))– Best (Best (AA grades grades are bestare best))

Classifying by DegreeClassifying by Degree

Another way tAnother way to classify on the o classify on the basis of basis of degreedegree would be as would be as follows:follows:

– Small (small size cars)Small (small size cars)– Medium (medium size cars)Medium (medium size cars)– Large (large size cars)Large (large size cars)

Classifying by DegreeClassifying by Degree

An example of how to An example of how to classify classify cell cell phones based on phones based on degreedegree::

– Good (Motorola)Good (Motorola)– Better (Sony)Better (Sony)– Best (Nokia)Best (Nokia)

Classifying by DegreeClassifying by Degree

Another example of how to Another example of how to classify classify cell phones based on cell phones based on degreedegree::

– Cheap (Cell phones without camera)Cheap (Cell phones without camera)– Affordable (Cell phones with camera)Affordable (Cell phones with camera)– Expensive (Cell phones with camera & Expensive (Cell phones with camera &

MP3 Player)MP3 Player)

Dividing by ChronologyDividing by Chronology

You also can write classifications You also can write classifications by time periodsby time periods

– For example, history can be For example, history can be divided asdivided as

1.1. AncientAncient

2.2. Middle AgesMiddle Ages

3.3. ModernModern

Dividing by ChronologyDividing by Chronology

Another example of Another example of classification by time periodclassification by time period::

1.1. Past (past forms of travel)Past (past forms of travel)

2.2. Present (present forms of travel)Present (present forms of travel)

3.3. Future (future forms of travel)Future (future forms of travel)

Complete the Complete the CategoriesCategories When you’re classifying, don’t When you’re classifying, don’t

leave anyone or anything out.leave anyone or anything out.

Look for obvious Look for obvious missing elementsmissing elements..– Say the writing prompt is “What kind of Say the writing prompt is “What kind of

students are there in your math class?”students are there in your math class?”– You answer: “Fast and slow learners.”You answer: “Fast and slow learners.”– But what about the But what about the averageaverage learners? learners?– After all, you need After all, you need three categoriesthree categories!!

Variations within a Variations within a classclass Rarely will everyone Rarely will everyone or everything or everything fit fit

in perfectlyin perfectly in your categories in your categories..

Then admit that there are variations Then admit that there are variations and complications in the categories.and complications in the categories.

– Although Although all all cell phones could be classified cell phones could be classified as being cheap or expensive, you must as being cheap or expensive, you must still find a middle point such as still find a middle point such as “affordable” cell phones.“affordable” cell phones.

Use Parallel Use Parallel ConstructionConstruction OrganizeOrganize your thesis statement your thesis statement

with parallelism:with parallelism:

““Most people respond in one of three ways: Most people respond in one of three ways: eagerlyeagerly, , indifferentlyindifferently, or , or reluctantlyreluctantly.” .”

Notice that each categorical word is in the Notice that each categorical word is in the same grammar formsame grammar form: adverbs.: adverbs.

Don’t mix and match the terminology!Don’t mix and match the terminology!

Types in ClassificationTypes in Classification

What kind of classification is this?What kind of classification is this?

““Teachers Teachers can be classified in three can be classified in three different ways; different ways; conservatively, conservatively, fashionably, or casually.”fashionably, or casually.”

The teachers here can be classified The teachers here can be classified according to _______________?according to _______________?

Types in ClassificationTypes in Classification

What kind of classification is this?What kind of classification is this?

““Cell Phones can be classified in three Cell Phones can be classified in three different ways; cheapdifferent ways; cheap, , affordableaffordable, or , or expensiveexpensive.”.”

The The cell phones cell phones here can be classified here can be classified according to _______________?according to _______________?