1. Colorado Northwestern Community College Developmental English ENG 075
Paragraph Mastery
Module PM9
Classification
Created by Sheila Harper and Victoria Berardi at CNCC, 2012
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License

2. You will learn to … Define classification
Identify the purpose of classification
Identify the elements of a classification paragraph
Write a well developed, purposeful, grammatically correct classification paragraph

3. What is classification?
Using a single principle to divide a large group into categories to make smaller groups.
Purpose: to help the reader better manage or understand the large group
Categories share common characteristics. If you discuss appearance or size in one category, you have to discuss it in all of them.

4. What do we use classification for?
We naturally classify our surroundings. When we …
shop in a store,
check out a book from a library or select a video to view,
drive to a particular address,
or mail a letter …
we are using classification to help us locate the specific item we want since like things are grouped together.
Classification papers are used in almost every discipline in college.
Being able to classify information into various categories is a necessary skill in most college classes, but it is one that students often struggle with. Usually students do one of two things: they fail to use the same basis or method of classification for all the information being classified, or they don't analyze each of the characteristics (that is, break down and examine the important traits) to make sure the item fits into the right category. This analysis, however, is one of the normal activities of almost any job that requires a college-level education. In other words, it's what people do in the real world, and practicing this kind of activity in school is an important way to prepare for your future career.

5. Practice with classification
Do the classification practice exercise, “Practice with Classification & Topic Sentences,” in the classification exercises folder.
This will make sure you understand how to identify the basis of classification and write topic sentences that refer to a single basis of classification as well as the categories.
When you are finished, show it to your instructor to review.

6. Elements of classification paragraphs
Main idea
Tells the topic (the larger group or item that is being classified), the basis of classification, and the point
Often includes the list of categories (like an essay map)
Example: To use the Internet more effectively for research, websites about Grizzly Bears can be classified according to the level of scholarship as scholarly, substantive, popular, and sensational.
Categories
The smaller groups or parts that the larger group or item is divided into
The basis of classification must be the same for each category.
Example: in the example above, the level of scholarship is what websites about Grizzly bears are divided by (the basis of classification), while scholarly, substantive, popular, and sensational are the categories the websites are divided into.
Characteristics
Each of the categories must be described in terms of the same group of characteristics. The descriptions will differ for each category, but the characteristics will be the same.
Example: each of the categories in the example above are explained in terms of the following six characteristics: appearance, documentation, author credentials, language, purpose, and publisher.
Organization
Like comparison and contrast, classification can be organized either by category (describe all the characteristics of one category and then move to the next category) or by characteristics (discuss all of the categories in terms of one characteristic and then move to the next characteristic)

7. Putting a classification paragraph together
Think of a topic
It must be something that can be broken into categories (groups or parts)
Determine your basis of classification
Make sure the basis can apply to all or most of the topic
Decide on the categories
All categories must apply to the same basis of classification
Make each category distinct from the others so one example doesn’t fit several categories
Choose the characteristics
Traits should apply to all the categories (size, color, personality, function, etc.)
Describe each characteristic for each category
Decide on a method or organization
By category or by characteristic, but not by both.

8. Parts of a classification topic sentence topics are in italics; points are in bold
A classification topic sentence includes the topic of the paragraph (what is being classified), the basis of classification, the point you’re making, and often, the categories you’re dividing the topic into.
Example: To use the Internet more effectively for research, websites about grizzly bears can be classified according to the level of scholarship as scholarly, substantive, popular, and sensational.
The topic, which tells us what is being classified: websites about grizzly bears
The point the writer is making: [classification allows us] to use the Internet more effectively for research
The basis of classification (can be classified according to the level of scholarship ) and the categories (as scholarly, substantive, popular, and sensational).

9. Problems with classification paragraphs
Using different bases of classification for different categories
Makes a confused mess
Choose one basis of classification, and then choose categories that fit
Choosing categories that overlap
If an example can fit in several categories, readers are confused
Make sure your categories are different enough that each example can only fit one category
Describing different categories with different sets of characteristics
Describe each category with the same set of characteristics
If you describe behavior (for example) in one category, describe it for all
Mixing up the organization of the paragraph
Either describe one category completely and move on to the next, or describe one characteristic for every category and then move to the next
Describing individuals instead of examples of an entire category

10. Example of a classification
To use the Internet more effectively for research, websites about Grizzly Bears can be classified according to the level of scholarship as scholarly, substantive, popular, and sensational. “Ursus Arctosor Grizzly Bears” at is a good example of a scholarly website where the researchers have summarized the results of their original research.1 “The biogeography of a Grizzly Bear” at is a good example of a substantive website and provides information to concerned citizens who are interested in grizzly bears.2 “Grizzly Bear Tours” at has the characteristics of a popular website, is designed to be entertaining, and promotes tours to see grizzly bears.3 “GrizzlyBears” at is an example of a sensational website.4 I could not understand the language in the scholarly website, and the information on the sensational one is too untrustworthy. The substantive website had a lot of information about the grizzly bear that was easier to read and understand, so I would use it for research, but if I wanted to take a tour and see the grizzly bears in their own habitat, a popular website would be a great way to book a trip to Alaska.
Color & formating code: topic sentence (topic and controlling idea), essay map (categories), supporting points, concluding statements, number of categories 1.

11. Practice writing classification paragraphs
Using one of the following prompts, write a classification paragraph. Include a topic sentence that clearly states the topic, the point, the basis of classification, and the categories if possible. Make sure you describe the categories in terms of the same characteristics.
Put your name on the six sentences and show them to your instructor for review.
Area restaurants
Neighbors
Drivers

12. If you have trouble writing classification paragraphs …
Watch the videos at and
Read Ch 10.4, pp , at in your textbook.

13. Show your mastery of classification paragraphs
Write a classification paragraph on any topic.
Use prewriting to come up with and organize your ideas.
Write a rough draft of the paragraph.
Revise the paragraph
Make sure your classification topic is divided into three to seven categories, all of which have the same basis of classification.
Make sure the characteristics that describe each category are the same.
Complete the Revision Worksheet (in the handouts folder of the Writing Process--Revision module).
Fix higher order concerns before working on lower order concerns.
Put the final draft of the classification paragraph in the D2L dropbox for Paragraph Mastery: Classification to be graded and give the rest of your prewriting to your instructor.

14. You have learned to … Define classification
Identify the purpose of classification
Identify the elements of a classification paragraph
Write a well developed, purposeful, grammatically correct classification paragraph

15. Questions? What if I only have two categories?
How many characteristics do I need?
What is the basis for classification?
Do I have to divide up everything in the group?

16. Thank you for viewing the process module
Thank you for viewing the process module. Check with your instructor before you go to your next assigned module.
Instructor’s Name Office Hours: Live Class Announcement: If they want to schedule one Phone: