The Classification Essay

Strategies for Writing Responses

to What Kind of? Essays
Classification = Division
Writing a classification essay means dividing
members of a group.

The members in a class must share similar
characteristics

When classifying, you need a principle of
classification.
The Basis of Division
For example, we can divide the
category cell phones into the
following:

Sizes
1. Small sized cell phones
2. Average sized cell phones
3. Large sized cell phones
Dont Mix Principles!
Its confusing to have overlapping
bases for classification.

For example, if youre characterizing cell phones
by size, dont include classes such as
expensive or nice looking.

Stay within the three categories you are
classifying!
Find the out-of-place item
1. Autos: SUV, pickup, economy
2. Transport: land, train, air, water
3. Rivers: dangerous, short, wide
4. Drugs: uppers, illegal, downers
5. Colleges: private, famous, public
6. Courses: year-long, half-term, math
7. Housing: rooms, cheap, apartments

Types of Classification
Two of the most common types of
classification are

1. By degree, from lower to higher

2. By chronology, in time periods

Classifying by Degree
To classify on the basis of degree
means to judge value.

Good (C grades are good)
Better (B grades are better)
Best (A grades are best)

Classifying by Degree
Another way to classify on the basis of
degree would be as follows:

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

Classifying by Degree
An example of how to classify cell
phones based on degree:

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

Classifying by Degree
Another example of how to classify cell
phones based on degree:

Cheap (Cell phones without camera)
Affordable (Cell phones with camera)
Expensive (Cell phones with camera &
MP3 Player)

Dividing by Chronology
You also can write classifications by
time periods

For example, history can be divided as
1. Ancient
2. Middle Ages
3. Modern
Dividing by Chronology
Another example of classification by
time period:

1. Past (past forms of travel)
2. Present (present forms of travel)
3. Future (future forms of travel)
Complete the Categories
When youre classifying, dont leave
anyone or anything out.

Look for obvious missing elements.
Say the writing prompt is What kind of students
are there in your math class?
You answer: Fast and slow learners.
But what about the average learners?
After all, you need three categories!
Variations within a class
Rarely will everyone or everything fit in
perfectly in your categories.

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

Although all cell phones could be classified as
being cheap or expensive, you must still find a
middle point such as affordable cell phones.
Use Parallel Construction
Organize your thesis statement with
parallelism:

Most people respond in one of three ways:
eagerly, indifferently, or reluctantly.

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

Dont mix and match the terminology!
Types in Classification
What kind of classification is this?

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

The teachers here can be classified
according to _______________?

Types in Classification
What kind of classification is this?

Cell Phones can be classified in three
different ways; cheap, affordable, or
expensive.

The cell phones here can be classified
according to _______________?