1. Classification Essay

2. Organize this closet into three categories:
We have taken a big entity – closet – and divided it into some of its component parts, each with its own function.

3. Objectives Why write this essay?
Division is a helpful strategy in any prewriting stage, especially complex subjects:
The structure of a film
Motivation of a character
Controversy surrounding school prayer.
Strategy is helpful for analyzing complex issues.
Many college essays will veil this essay in a prompt:
“From your observations, what kinds of appeals do television advertisers use when selling automobiles? In your view, are any of these appeals morally irresponsible?”

4. What is classification?
Writing a classification essay means dividing the members of a group.
The members in any class must share basic similar characteristics.
When classifying, you need a principle of classification.

5. What is the basis of division?
For example, we can divide the students in Advanced ESL by
Ethnic Background
Hispanics
Europeans
Africans
Asians
Which prayer is
categorically different?

6. Don’t mix classifying principles!
It’s confusing to have overlapping bases for classification.
In dividing students by ethnic background, don’t use classes like “hard-working” or “easy-going.”
After all, there are hard-working people in any ethnic background!
Why would cats care to
classify types of rats?

7. Can you find the misfits?
Autos: SUV, pickup, economy
Transport: land, train, air, water
Rivers: dangerous, short, wide
Drugs: uppers, illegal, downers
Colleges: private, famous, public
Courses: year-long, half-term, math
Housing: rooms, cheap, apartments

8. What are the principles of division?
__1. SUV, pickup, sedan
__2. land, air, water
__3. short, wide, long
__4. uppers, downers, pain-killers
__5. private, public, religious
__6. year-long, half-term, full-term
__7. rooms, apartments, houses
type of college
type of housing
type of river
type of transportation
Type of vehicle
Type of medication
Type of semester

9. Here are the principles of division:
E 1. SUV, pickup, sedan
D 2. land, air, water
C 3. short, wide, long
F 4. uppers, downers, pain-killers
A 5. private, public, religious
G 6. year-long, half-term, full-term
B 7. rooms, apartments, houses
type of college
type of housing
type of river
type of transportation
type of vehicle
type of medication
type of semester

10. Suppose the writing prompt is
“In what manner do people answer when given questions?”
Don’t answer: “People answer in different ways, some of them take their time, others quick, still others kind of are, well, they’re between.”
Instead, organize 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.
Don’t mix and match the terminology!

11. Writing the Classification Essay

12. Questions to Consider
Do you use the most logical principle of division or classification for your purpose?
Do you stick to one principle throughout?
Have you identified components or categories that are comparable?
Have you used the best order for your components or categories?
Have you given specific examples for each of your components or categories?
Have you made a complex subject more accessible to your readers?