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Classification Essay
A Beginner’s Guide to Classification Essay + Examples, Topics, & Tips
10 min read
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Classification Essay Outline - A Step By Step Guide
A List of 270+ Classification Essay Topics for Your Next Assignment
Have you ever tried organizing your wardrobe, and separating clothes by color or style to make your mornings smoother? Well, imagine doing the same with your thoughts and ideas.
This is what a classification essay does. It offers a way to understand a topic or idea by categorizing and classifying it.
This type of essay is assigned to evaluate students’ critical thinking skills and their ability to define and categorize things on a specific basis.
In this guide, we will learn how to write a classification essay step by step. Plus, you will also get to read some good essay examples and interesting topics to write about.
Let’s read on!
- 1. What is a Classification Essay?
- 2. How to Write a Classification Essay?
- 3. Classification Essay Examples
- 4. Classification Essay Topics
- 5. Tips for Writing an Effective Classification Essay
What is a Classification Essay?
A classification essay can be defined as an essay that aims to arrange its subjects in categories based on their characteristics. In other words, it's about grouping things together that share common traits.
For example, imagine you're at a library, and each book is a unique idea. The classification essay is your way of creating distinct shelves and arranging those books in an orderly fashion. It is a mixture of expository and analytical essays, as it seeks to establish, discuss, and analyze a subject’s properties and characteristics.
Moreover, it is also related to definition essays. Things are defined by their characteristics and categories to which they belong, and so the boundaries between a classification and definition essays are often blurred.
How to Write a Classification Essay?
Here are the steps you need to follow to write an excellent classification essay.
Following are the steps that should be taken to start an impressive classification essay:
Step 1: Choose a Topic
The first crucial step is selecting a topic that provides an opportunity for useful classification. Whether it's types of movies, learning styles, or modes of transportation, your topic sets the stage for a well-organized exploration.
Here's how to navigate this crucial first step:
- Breadth and Relevance: Select for a topic that is broad enough to offer multiple categories but specific enough to maintain focus. For instance, instead of "sports," consider "types of outdoor recreational activities."
- Consider Your Audience: Think about who will be reading your essay. Tailor your topic to their interests and knowledge level. A topic that resonates with your audience ensures that your classifications have a meaningful impact.
- Room for Exploration: Look for a topic with room for exploration. A good classification essay not only categorizes but also highlights nuances within each category. This adds depth to your writing and keeps your readers engaged.
Step 2: Conduct Research
Now that you've chosen a compelling topic, it's time to delve into the world of research. Gather information to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the categories you plan to explore. With good research, you will have solid foundations for your classifications.
Here's how to gather the necessary information to enrich your classification essay:
- Consult Reliable Sources: Start by consulting reputable sources such as books, academic journals, and credible websites. The information you gather should be accurate and up-to-date.
- Diversify Your Sources: Get a well-rounded understanding by exploring a variety of sources. The more perspectives you study, the more comprehensive your classifications will be.
- Take Detailed Notes: As you conduct your research, take detailed notes on relevant information, examples, and any noteworthy details. This will help in outlining and drafting your essay later.
- Stay Organized: Keep your research organized. A systematic approach will save you time when you start outlining your essay.
Step 3: Brainstorm Ideas About Your Subject
To start writing a classification essay, it is important to first decide on a clear and specific criteria for classification. With credible information in hand, let your creativity flow.
Jot down all the possible categories related to your chosen topic. This brainstorming phase is about exploring various angles and finding the most meaningful ways to categorize your subject matter.
This essay’s purpose is to define and discriminate between subjects, so make sure that the categories are well-defined and clear.
Step 4: Develop a Thesis Statement
A thesis statement establishes the writer’s stance on the topic and their central argument. It is important to draft a strong thesis statement for an effective and persuasive classification essay.
Once you’ve researched and established your categories, it's time to distill your focus into a concise thesis statement. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Your thesis should clearly state the main categories you will explore in your essay. Avoid vague or overly broad statements. The reader should have a precise understanding of what to expect.
- The thesis statement is the central idea around which your entire essay revolves. It should convey the main point or purpose of your classification.
- It should also provide a roadmap, indicating the organization of your upcoming arguments.
Step 5: Draft an Outline
Now that you have a well-crafted thesis statement, it's time to organize your thoughts and create a roadmap for your classification essay. A classification essay outline should include these points:
- Paragraph 1 (Category 1): - Paragraph 2 (Category 2): - Paragraph 3 (Continue with Category Arguments):
|
Step 6: Write Your First Draft
Once you have the necessary information and an organized plan, it is time to start writing your classification essay. To draft an effective and flawless essay, follow the writing steps given below:
- Write an Essay Introduction
The introduction is the first part of the essay. In this part, you need to catch the reader’s attention and introduce them to your topic. To make your introduction appealing,
- Start with a catchy hook statement. A hook statement is the opening line of the introductory paragraph that attempts to draw the reader’s attention.
- Provide sufficient background and context for your topic.
- Close your introduction with a strong thesis statement that highlights your central point.
- Draft the Body Paragraphs
The body section will contain three or more paragraphs depending on your arguments. The body paragraphs follow and justify the thesis statement made earlier in the introduction. Here’s how to write your body paragraphs:
- Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that presents the main point of that paragraph.
- Provide examples, arguments, and relevant information in each paragraph to establish your argument.
- Provide a detailed analysis of your subject to justify your categorizations.
- Connect body paragraphs to each other through transition words and phrases. This is important for maintaining a logical flow.
- Write a Strong Conclusion
The conclusion is the last paragraph, where you put together all the arguments made in the body paragraphs. Follow these tips to write a good conclusion:
- Summarize the main categories without introducing new information.
- Reiterate the significance of your classifications and their impact on understanding the topic.
- End with a memorable closing statement that leaves a lasting impression.
Step 7: Revise, Edit, & Improve Your Draft
Congratulations on completing your first draft! However, your work is not done just yet. Your first draft could be full of mistakes and weaknesses, so you need to elevate it through the revision, editing, and improvement process. Here’s what you should do to ensure that your final draft is perfect:
- Review the Overall Structure: Ensure that your introduction sets the stage effectively, each body paragraph is coherent, and the conclusion ties everything together without introducing new information.
- Check for Clarity and Consistency: See that your language is clear and your ideas are presented logically. Check for consistency in tone and style throughout.
- Refine Thesis Statement: Revisit your thesis statement. Does it accurately reflect the content of your essay? Make adjustments if needed to ensure it aligns with the final draft.
- Trim Unnecessary Details: Trim any redundant or unnecessary details. Keep your writing concise and focused on the defining characteristics of each category.
- Proofread for Errors: Thoroughly proofread your essay for grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors. A polished essay enhances your credibility as a writer.
- Get Feedback: Consider seeking feedback from peers, professors, or writing professionals. Fresh perspectives can identify areas for improvement that you might have overlooked.
- Final Polish: Give your essay a final polish. Ensure that it aligns with your original vision and effectively communicates your ideas.
Classification Essay Examples
Before starting the writing process, it is better to look at some of the classification essay examples. This way, you will get a better understanding of how these essays are written.
Here are some classification essay examples to help you get started.
Classification Essay Sample
Division and Classification Essay Example
Exemplification and Classification Essay Example
Types of Friends Classification Essay
Classification Essay on Relationships
Classification Essay Topics
Choosing the right topic is the cornerstone of creating a captivating classification essay. Here's a short but diverse list of classification essay ideas to spark your imagination.
- Types of Social Media Users
- Genres of Music
- Learning Styles
- Forms of Government
- Types of Movie Endings
- Modes of Transportation
- Gaming Genres
- Personality Types in a Workplace
- Human Responses to Stress
- Various Kinds of Study Habits
Need more ideas? Head to our classification essay topics blog and get a list of interesting ideas to choose from!
Tips for Writing an Effective Classification Essay
Mastering the art of classification essays requires more than just following a set of steps. Consider these tips to enhance the quality and impact of your classification essays:
- Choose a Niche Topic: Opt for a topic that allows for meaningful categorization. A focused and specific subject ensures a more in-depth exploration of categories.
- Provide Clear Criteria: Clearly define the criteria used to categorize items. Whether it's characteristics, functions, or behaviors, explicit criteria add depth and clarity to your classifications.
- Ensure Balanced Categories: Strive for balance in the depth and coverage of each category. Avoid spending disproportionate time on one category, as it can disrupt the overall equilibrium of your essay.
- Use Consistent Characteristics: Maintain consistency in the characteristics you use to define each category. This ensures a coherent and logical progression throughout your essay.
- Think About Your Audience: Consider your audience's interests and knowledge level. Tailor your classifications to resonate with your readers, making the essay more engaging and relevant to them.
- Include Vivid Examples: Illustrate each category with vivid and relevant examples. Concrete examples provide a clearer understanding and make your classifications more compelling.
- Stay Objective: Maintain objectivity in your classifications. Avoid biases and ensure that your categories are based on observable and verifiable characteristics.
- Read Widely: Expose yourself to a variety of classification essays. Knowing other points of views can provide inspiration, insights, and a deeper understanding of effective categorization.
In conclusion,
A classification essay is a unique and interesting kind of writing with a few special requirements. Having read its definition and writing steps above, you now know what they are: It requires you to categorize your subject based on its features and argue for its validity.
Following the steps and tips above will allow you to craft an A-worthy classification essay. The key to success comes down to pre-writing preparation and meticulous editing and revisions. Start early, plan your essay, figure out the categories, write, and rewrite until you’re satisfied.
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How to Write a Classification Essay?
17 July, 2020
8 minutes read
Author: Elizabeth Brown
Classification essay is comparable to painting creation - an artist works on a specific structure that holds the picture’s elements together and glues different layers to create a powerful visual effect. The same principle applies to a writing piece, in which the central role is devoted to getting things in order. In this article, we’ll discuss the main features and components of a great classification essay and share some tips and tricks on how to take your piece of writing to the next level.
Classification essay definition
We bet the first thing you want to know concerning the topic is what is a classification essay? This is the task which you’ll most likely deal with at some point in your student life. The essence of this assignment is related to categorization and generalization. Remember these two words because they form the true meaning of classification essay. Also, division and classification are those elements of this essay type which highly correlate and have equal importance for essay creation. Therefore, the main task here is to organize or sort things into categories.
How to write a classification essay
Careful attention to planning marks the indication of quality in terms of classification essay. At this point, the main task is to learn how to structure the paper. The length of an article may vary, but the most frequently used “five paragraphs” method is typically applied for classification writing. What does this structure suggest? It has to do with a logical division of your essay into blocks and categories, every one of which should clarify a particular issue.
The first and one of the essential paragraphs is the introductory one. It’s an opening which illuminates the matter you’re going to discuss and the subject you’ll categorize. Besides, you can outline the purpose of your classification essay to readers to bring more clarity into the discussion. Answer the question of why you are categorizing the chosen items and what criteria you use for each of them. Then, you’ll need to close the introduction paragraph with a thesis. It will briefly sum up the objective of your classification and division essay, and identify the categories which you’ll be using for a paper.
The second part is the essay body. Here, a couple of paragraphs are applicable, preferably 3 and more. The most critical nuance you should remember while composing a body is that each paragraph will deal with a separate category. The best way to organize the central part of your division essay is to explain the criteria for each category and desirably, discuss strengths and weaknesses. More importantly, you should include examples that’ll back up your statements with a piece of evidence. Notably, there should be an equal amount of examples for every category to spread the evidence evenly. If your paragraphs in the main body are lengthy, you can also divide them into shorter ones to create a smooth transition between the blocks of text and improve readability.
The final paragraph of your classification essay is a conclusion. The closing statements will sum up the different categories highlighted in the body. Also, it’s advisable to restate each category and advise readers on the subject matter. However, if you choose to recommend this or that topic over the others, don’t forget to state the reason for your stance. This way, readers will take into account your well-grounded explanation, which is deprived of subjectivity, and make relevant conclusions for themselves.
Apart from the basic understanding of classification essay structure , you should also get prepared for the writing process. For many, implementing theory on practice is even more challenging than the stage of composing an essay. Nonetheless, with enough patience and endurance, this process is really not so bad after all. So, what steps do you need to make in order to prepare well for classification paper writing?
First things first, planning is everything when it comes to the assignment that implies classification. Without a clear and coherent plan, there’s no way you can write a good paper. Therefore, make sure that you have a robust scheme before writing your essay. For this, proceed with the following planning steps:
- Generate Ideas. Evidently, your essay won’t write itself. If your professor has not assigned you a specific topic, it’s time to do some brainstorming. Remember – you need to choose a group of people, things, or ideas that can be easily divided into categories and then compared.
- Choose Your Classification Method. Aim at one principle for classification for each category you describe. For example, if you write about people, you can categorize them by age, gender, appearance, or other factors. This will help you better structure your essay and make it look more organized in the eyes of readers.
- Create a Thesis Statement. As previously mentioned, the thesis statement is the element which closes the introduction of your classification essay. It should include such information as the subject matter, the categories, and the criteria used to classify each category. Besides, you can note down the purpose of your division into these categories.
Classification essay outline
The outline is a general description or plan that schematically displays the main points of your essay. The main point of an outline is to help you see the structure of your essay and use it as a useful guide for writing. Usually, a typical outline describes the essence of each point in one sentence. Also, bullet points are not uncommon, so you can use them to arrange a plan the way you feel is the most appropriate.
Classification essay topics
There is a plethora of themes and subjects for division classification essays to choose from, but most of them are hard to think of straight away. That’s why we’ve collected the list of the top used classification topics for you to facilitate the process of generating ideas or searching for ones elsewhere.
- The most popular devices students use nowadays
- Colors and their meaning in the paintings of Frida Kahlo
- The evolution of rock-music types
- Standard methods students use to prepare for exams
- Public speakers that have moved the world
- Unique factors to determine a successful relationship
- How to improve child-parent relationships
- Main motives to start a political career
- Learning techniques for college students
- Types of TV comedy shows
- Traveling destinations
- The main types of mobile applications
- Communication possibilities online
- Strategies for making decisions in business
- Leadership and leader types
- Conflicts at the job and ways to cope with them
- The motivation for doing sports
- Methods to reduce stress
No matter which theme you choose for your classification essay and what techniques you implement to make them elaborated, remember always to keep the structure in mind. The first step to writing this type of assignment is not just sitting and jotting down detached ideas, but planning out clear statements which can later be transmitted on paper. Hopefully, our advice will help you on the way to writing an excellent classification essay which your professor will mark with an A+ grade.
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Classification Essay Guide
A classification essay is a powerful tool in academic writing, enabling writers to break down broad topics into organized categories for better understanding. This guide will show you how to write a classification essay, from designing a perfect outline to selecting compelling topics. Continue reading to learn how to create a clear, insightful, and engaging classification essay.
What is a Classification Essay? A Brief Overview
A classification essay is a type of academic writing that involves organizing and categorizing subjects, ideas, or objects into distinct groups or categories based on shared characteristics. The primary objective of a classification essay is to break down a broad topic into smaller, more manageable parts, making it easier for readers to understand and analyze the subject matter. This type of essay helps demonstrate a writer's ability to organize information logically and enhances critical thinking by requiring the writer to identify and explain the basis for each category.
Designing the Perfect Outline For Your Classification Essay
An effective classification essay requires a well-structured outline that guides the writing process. A clear outline ensures that the essay remains focused, logical, and cohesive. Here is a guide on how to design the perfect classification essay outline:
Introduction
The introduction of a classification essay should serve as a roadmap for the reader. It should provide a brief overview of the topic, explain the essay's purpose, and present the classification criteria. An engaging introduction sets the tone for the entire essay and captures the reader's interest.
Key elements to include in the introduction:
- Hook: A compelling opening sentence to grab the reader's attention.
- Background Information: A brief context or background of the topic to help the reader understand its relevance.
- Thesis Statement: A clear statement that outlines the main categories and the criteria for classification.
The main text, or the body of the essay, is where the detailed classification takes place. Each paragraph should focus on a specific category, providing a thorough explanation and relevant examples.
Here are some points to include in the main text:
- Topic Sentence: Introduces the category being discussed in the classification paragraph.
- Explanation: A detailed explanation of the category, including its defining characteristics.
- Examples: Relevant examples to illustrate the category and enhance understanding.
- Transition: Smooth transitions between paragraphs to maintain the flow of the essay.
The conclusion of a classification essay should summarize the main points and restate the thesis in light of the information presented. It should provide a sense of closure and leave a lasting impression on the reader.
Your conclusion should be composed of the following:
- Summary of main points: Briefly summarize the categories and their significance.
- Restated thesis: Restate the thesis in a new light based on the discussion in the body paragraphs.
- Final thought: Write a closing statement that provides a final insight or reflection on the topic.
How to Write a Classification Essay: Detailed Plan
Writing a classification essay involves several steps, from choosing a topic to organizing the information and drafting the final text. Here's a detailed plan to guide you through the process:
Choosing a Topic for Classification Writing
Selecting the right topic is crucial for the success of a classification essay. The topic should be broad enough for multiple categories but specific enough to be manageable.
Tips for choosing a topic:
- Interest and knowledge: Choose a topic that you are interested in and have some knowledge about.
- Relevance: Ensure the topic and the essay's purpose are relevant to the audience.
- Availability of information: Consider sufficient information and examples to support your classifications.
Subjects to Write On
When selecting a subject, think about areas that can be easily divided into categories. Here are some examples of potential subjects for a classification essay:
- Types of books: Fiction, non-fiction, biographies, self-help, etc.
- Learning styles: Visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.
- Sports: Team sports, individual sports, extreme sports, etc.
- Hobbies: Indoor hobbies, outdoor hobbies, creative hobbies, etc.
- Movies: Genres such as action, comedy, drama, horror, etc.
Building Up the Main Body of the Text: Things to Remember
The main body is where the detailed classification occurs. Each paragraph should focus on one category and provide a clear and thorough explanation.
Things to remember when building up the main body:
- Consistency: Ensure each category is defined using the same criteria.
- Clarity: Be clear and precise in your descriptions and explanations.
- Examples: Use relevant and diverse examples to illustrate each category.
- Balance: Allocate a similar amount of detail and space to each category to maintain balance.
- Transitions: Use transitional phrases to ensure smooth flow between paragraphs.
Classification Essay Topics
Choosing a topic can be challenging, but here are some ideas to get you started:
- Types of Social Media Platforms: Social networking, microblogging, video sharing, etc.
- Genres of Music: Classical, rock, jazz, hip-hop, etc.
- Forms of Government: Democracy, monarchy, authoritarian, etc.
- Types of Cuisine: Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Indian, etc.
- Methods of Transportation: Public transport, private vehicles, cycling, walking, etc.
Summarize What is Written in Your Classification Paper
Summarizing your classification essay involves revisiting the main points and the categories discussed. In your conclusion, highlight the significance of each category and restate the thesis to reinforce the purpose of your classification.
Steps to summarize your classification paper:
- Review Main Points: Review each category briefly, emphasizing the key characteristics and examples.
- Restate Thesis: Rephrase your thesis statement to reflect the discussion in the body paragraphs.
- Provide Closure: End with a final thought or reflection that ties everything together and provides a sense of completeness.
A well-written classification essay organizes information effectively and provides insight and clarity on the subject matter. By following this guide, you can create a coherent and engaging classification essay that is informative and enjoyable to read.
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10.4 Classification
Learning objectives.
- Determine the purpose and structure of the classification essay.
- Understand how to write a classification essay.
The Purpose of Classification in Writing
The purpose of classification is to break down broad subjects into smaller, more manageable, more specific parts. We classify things in our daily lives all the time, often without even thinking about it. Cell phones, for example, have now become part of a broad category. They can be classified as feature phones, media phones, and smartphones.
Smaller categories, and the way in which these categories are created, help us make sense of the world. Keep both of these elements in mind when writing a classification essay.
Choose topics that you know well when writing classification essays. The more you know about a topic, the more you can break it into smaller, more interesting parts. Adding interest and insight will enhance your classification essays.
On a separate sheet of paper, break the following categories into smaller classifications.
- The United States
- Colleges and universities
The Structure of a Classification Essay
The classification essay opens with an introductory paragraph that introduces the broader topic. The thesis should then explain how that topic is divided into subgroups and why. Take the following introductory paragraph, for example:
When people think of New York, they often think of only New York City. But New York is actually a diverse state with a full range of activities to do, sights to see, and cultures to explore. In order to better understand the diversity of New York state, it is helpful to break it into these five separate regions: Long Island, New York City, Western New York, Central New York, and Northern New York.
The underlined thesis explains not only the category and subcategory but also the rationale for breaking it into those categories. Through this classification essay, the writer hopes to show his or her readers a different way of considering the state.
Each body paragraph of a classification essay is dedicated to fully illustrating each of the subcategories. In the previous example, then, each region of New York would have its own paragraph.
The conclusion should bring all the categories and subcategories back together again to show the reader the big picture. In the previous example, the conclusion might explain how the various sights and activities of each region of New York add to its diversity and complexity.
To avoid settling for an overly simplistic classification, make sure you break down any given topic at least three different ways. This will help you think outside the box and perhaps even learn something entirely new about a subject.
Using your classifications from Note 10.43 “Exercise 1” , write a brief paragraph explaining why you chose to organize each main category in the way that you did.
Writing a Classification Essay
Start with an engaging opening that will adequately introduce the general topic that you will be dividing into smaller subcategories. Your thesis should come at the end of your introduction. It should include the topic, your subtopics, and the reason you are choosing to break down the topic in the way that you are. Use the following classification thesis equation:
topic + subtopics + rationale for the subtopics = thesis.
The organizing strategy of a classification essay is dictated by the initial topic and the subsequent subtopics. Each body paragraph is dedicated to fully illustrating each of the subtopics. In a way, coming up with a strong topic pays double rewards in a classification essay. Not only do you have a good topic, but you also have a solid organizational structure within which to write.
Be sure you use strong details and explanations for each subcategory paragraph that help explain and support your thesis. Also, be sure to give examples to illustrate your points. Finally, write a conclusion that links all the subgroups together again. The conclusion should successfully wrap up your essay by connecting it to your topic initially discussed in the introduction. See Chapter 15 “Readings: Examples of Essays” to read a sample classification essay.
Building on Note 10.43 “Exercise 1” and Note 10.46 “Exercise 2” , write a five-paragraph classification essay about one of the four original topics. In your thesis, make sure to include the topic, subtopics, and rationale for your breakdown. And make sure that your essay is organized into paragraphs that each describes a subtopic.
Key Takeaways
- The purpose of classification is to break a subject into smaller, more manageable, more specific parts.
- Smaller subcategories help us make sense of the world, and the way in which these subcategories are created also helps us make sense of the world.
- A classification essay is organized by its subcategories.
Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
Ultimate Guide to Writing a Classification Essay
When it comes to writing an essay, you can choose from many different kinds. A classification essay is one type of essay you might be asked to write. This article will tell you everything you need to know about how to write a classification essay.
A classification essay is a type of academic writing in which things, people, or ideas are put into groups based on the things they have in common. The goal of a classification essay is to help readers understand a complicated topic better by breaking it down into smaller, easier-to-understand pieces.
It’s important to write a classification essay for more than one reason. First, it lets you show how well you can analyze and organize information in a way that makes sense. Second, it helps you learn how to think critically because you have to judge and compare different things or ideas. Lastly, it can help readers who are trying to understand a complicated topic by breaking it up into smaller pieces.
In the sections that follow, we’ll give you a step-by-step plan for how to write a good classification essay. By following these rules, you’ll be able to write a well-organized, interesting essay that puts your topic into clear categories and gives your readers useful information.
What You'll Learn
Understanding the Elements of a Classification Essay
To write a successful classification essay, it is important to understand the elements that make up this type of academic writing. These include:
– Definition of classification: Classification is the process of organizing items, people, or ideas into categories based on shared characteristics. In a classification essay, you will use this process to group your topic into different categories that you will then explore in detail.
– Types of classification: There are several different ways to classify items or ideas, including by physical characteristics , function, importance, and chronological order. The type of classification you choose will depend on the specific topic you are exploring and the purpose of your essay .
– The importance of classification in writing a classification essay: Classification is a crucial element of a classification essay, as it allows you to effectively organize your ideas and present them in a way that is logical and easy to understand. By categorizing your topic, you will be able to provide valuable insights for your readers and help them better understand a complex topic.
Choosing a Topic for Your Classification Essay
Once you understand the elements of a classification essay, the next step is to choose a topic that is appropriate for this type of academic writing. Here are some tips to help you choose a topic for your classification essay:
– Identifying your audience: Before you choose a topic, it is important to consider your audience. Think about who will be reading your essay and what their interests and needs are. This will help you tochoose a topic that is relevant and engaging for your readers.
– Brainstorming ideas: Once you have identified your audience, start brainstorming ideas for your classification essay. Think about topics that you are knowledgeable about and that are interesting to you. Consider different categories that you could use to classify your topic.
– Narrowing down your topic: After you have generated a list of potential topics, it is important to narrow down your options. Choose a topic that is specific enough to be manageable, but broad enough to provide you with enough material to write about.
– Finalizing your topic: Choose a final topic for your classification essay once you have narrowed down your list. Make sure your topic is clear and to the point, and that it is relevant to the people you are writing for.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to choose a topic for your classification essay that is appropriate, interesting, and relevant to your readers. Make sure to pick a topic that is narrow enough to be manageable but wide enough to give you enough to write about. Once you have a good topic for your classification essay, you can move on to the next steps.
Pre-Writing Strategies for Your Classification Essay
Before you start writing your classification essay, it’s important to take some time to prepare and plan your approach. Here are some pre-writing strategies to help you get started:
– Conducting research: Depending on your topic, you may need to conduct research to gather information and examples to support your categories . This research can come from a variety of sources, including books, academic articles, and online sources.
– Creating an outline: Once you have gathered your research, create an outline for your essay . This will help you to organize your ideas and ensure that your essay flows logically and cohesively. Your outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
– Developing a thesis statement: Your thesis statement is the main idea or argument that you will be exploring in your essay . It should be clear, concise, and focused on the categories that you will be exploring in your essay .
– Organizing your ideas: Once you have created your outline and developed your thesis statement , organize your ideas into categories. Think about the different ways that you can group your topic and create categories based on shared characteristics.
Writing Your Classification Essay
Now that you have completed your pre-writing strategies, it’s time to start writing your classification essay. Here is a breakdown of the different sections of your essay:
– Introduction: Your introduction should provide an overview of your topic and a clear thesis statement that outlines the categories you will be exploring in your essay.You should also provide some context for your topic and engage the reader’s interest.
– Body paragraphs: The main part of your essay should be broken up into paragraphs that each talk about a different topic . Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that says what category you will be talking about, and then back up your classification with examples and evidence. Use transitional phrases to link your paragraphs and help your reader see how your categories are related.
– Conclusion: Your conclusion should summarize the main points of your essay and restate your thesis statement in a memorable way. You can also provide some final thoughts or recommendations based on your classification.
Remember to use clear and concise language throughout your essay, and to provide examples and evidence to support your categories. By following these guidelines, you can create a well-organized and compelling classification essay that effectively categorizes your topic and provides valuable insights for your readers.
Tips for Writing a Successful Classification Essay
To write a successful classification essay, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:
– Use appropriate language and tone: Your language and tone should be appropriate for your audience and the purpose of your essay . Use clear and concise language, and avoid using jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to your readers.
– Make use of examples: Examples can help to illustrate your categories and provide evidence to support your claims . Use specific and relevant examples to help the reader understand the characteristics of each category.
– Use transitional words and phrases: Transitional words and phrases can help to connect your categories and create a smooth and cohesive flow in your essay . Examples include “firstly”, “secondly”, “in addition”, and “furthermore”.
– Use evidence to support your claims: It’s important to use evidence to support your claims and to make your argument more convincing. This evidence can come from a variety of sources, including research, personal experience, and expert opinion.
– Revise and edit your essay: Finally, it’s important to take the time to revise and edit your essay . Read through your essay carefully , checking for spelling and grammar errors, and making sure that your ideas are clear and well-organized.
Classification Essay Examples
Examples of classification essays:.
1. “The Three Types of Friends Everyone Needs” by John Smith:
In this essay, the author categorizes friends into three types: the listener, the adventurer, and the loyalist. The author provides specific examples and personal experiences to illustrate each category, and uses transitional phrases to connect each paragraph. The thesis statement is clear and focused, and the language and tone are appropriate for the audience. Overall, this essay is well-organized and effectively categorizes the different types of friends.
2. “The Four Main Types of Exercise” by Jane Doe:
In this essay, the author categorizes exercise into four types: aerobic, strength, flexibility, and balance. The author provides examples and evidence to support each category, and uses transitional words and phrases to connect each paragraph. The thesis statement is clear and focused, and the language and tone are appropriate for the audience. Overall, this essay is well-organized and effectively categorizes the different types of exercise.
3. “The Five Types of Online Shoppers” by Sarah Johnson:
In this essay, the author categorizes online shoppers into five types: the bargain hunter, the researcher, the impulse buyer, the loyal customer, and the window shopper. The author provides examples and evidence to support each category, and uses transitional phrases to connect each paragraph. The thesis statement is clear and focused, and the language and tone are appropriate for the audience. Overall, this essay is well-organized and effectively categorizes the different types of online shoppers.
Analysis of the examples:
The structure and approach of all three examples of classification essays are the same. The authors give a clear thesis statement , group their ideas into categories, and back up their claims with examples and evidence. They also use transitional words and phrases to link their categories together and give their essays a smooth flow.
One of the things that makes these essays good is that they use examples and proof to back up their categories. By giving real-world examples, the authors are able to show what each category is like and make their case stronger. Another strength is that the language is clear and to the point, which is good for the audience and purpose of the essay.
One thing that could be better about these essays is that each category should be looked at in more depth. Even though the authors give examples to back up their claims, they could have gone into more detail about what each category is and how it fits into the bigger picture.
Classification Essay Topics
Here are some ideas to get you started:
– Types of social media users
– Different types of diets
– Types of students in a classroom
– Types of pet owners
– Different types of music genres
– Types of vacation destinations
– Different types of book genres
– Types of movie genres
– Different types of coffee drinks
– Types of personality traits
Frequently Asked Questions about Classification Essays
1. what is a classification essay.
A classification essay is a type of academic writing that involves organizing items, people, or ideas into categories based on shared characteristics.
2. What are the elements of a classification essay?
The elements of a classification essay include a clear thesis statement, organized categories, examples and evidence to support each category, and transitional words and phrases to connect each paragraph.
3. How do I choose a topic for a classification essay?
To choose a topic for your classification essay, consider your audience, brainstorm ideas, narrow down your topic, and finalize your topic.
4. How do I structure my classification essay?
Your classification essay should include an introduction with a clear thesis statement, body paragraphs that explore each category, and a conclusion that summarizes your main points and restates your thesis statement.
5. What is a classification essay thesis?
A classification essay thesis is the main idea or argument that you will be exploring in your essay. It should be clear,concise, and focused on the categories you will be exploring in your essay.
In this article , we’ve told you everything you need to know about how to write a classification essay. First, we talked about what a classification essay is and why you should write one. Then, we talked about the parts of a classification essay, such as the different kinds of classification and how important it is to organize your ideas.
We also gave you advice on how to choose a topic, do research, make an outline, and come up with a thesis statement. We talked about how a classification essay is put together, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
Then, to help you get started, we gave you some examples of classification essay topics and answered some of the most common questions about classification essays.
In the end, writing a classification essay can be hard, but it can also be fun. By following the tips in this article, you can write a well-organized, interesting essay that puts your topic into categories and gives your readers useful information. Make sure to choose a specific and manageable topic, use the right language and tone, and back up your categories with examples and evidence. If you have these tools, you should be able to write a good classification essay.
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Writing a Classification Essay
- Books & Ebooks
- What is an Classification Essay?
- Choosing a Topic
- How to Navigate Galileo
- The Writing Process
- Copyright & Fair Use/Plagiarism
Classification Essay
A Classification Essay or Division Essay takes a complex subject area and breaks it down into smaller parts so it is easily understood. What this means is you take a broad subject area and break it down into separate categories based on a single principle. A classification essay relies on a single principle of organization. The principle of organization is the method by which the writer analyzes or breaks down the information in the essay.
Types of Classifications
When classifying topics into subcategories the most common classification types are:
- Degree: Breaks the subject area from lower to higher or value
- Types: Breaks the subject in the type or kind.
- Parts: Breaks topic down into component parts that make up the subject as a whole
- Characteristics: Breaks topic down based on features or characteristics of the subject
- Chronology: breaks subject down into time periods
Amy Tan describes relationship with her heritage, her mother, and her languages in " Mother Tongue ". The essay is located at https://tinyurl.com/y7gbr9hs .
Types of Higher Education Programs essay example: https://open.lib.umn.edu/writingforsuccess/chapter/15-5-classification-essay/
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How to Write a Classification Essay
Short classification essay video guide.
Need more tips and pieces of advice on classification essay writing? You can watch the video on our YouTube channel to get many ideas on topics, hacks on outlining, samples, etc. Simply follow the link below.
Let’s have a closer look at what is a classification essay, and why you need to write it, aside from it being a mandatory assignment. While mastering a classification essay, you will also develop categorization and generalization skills, broaden your understanding of the topic, and improve your writing, and learn how to develop a working thesis statement.
Don’t you just enjoy when the name of a paper is straightforward, and the instructions are clear? If yes, then writing a classification essay is for students like you and the guide prepared by our essay writing service will be helpful for sure.
What’s so special about a classification essay?
Let us proceed with formulating the classification essay definition. A classification essay is a type of formal writing that requires the organization of subjects into different categories or groups using the same classification principle. It is vital to add examples for each group and category. The classification must have a purpose explained by the author and a correctly formulated thesis statement. This type of academic writing develops the generalization and categorization skills of the author, establishing logical connections between the items and evaluating their shared characteristics.
When preparing for writing a classification essay, you should focus on a particular broad subject and examine it for the elements that make it up. For instance, when you think about music, you may classify it by genre (rock, pop, jazz, electronic), mood (aggressive, fun, wistful, relaxing, intense), tempo (moderate, dynamic, lyric), etc. In this way, the primary objective of writing a proper classification essay is developing categorization skills and the ability to classify items based on a single criterion. When you turn to our experts with a “ write my essay online ” request, you get a chance to see how they do it with ease and elegance.
Once we’ve dealt with theory, it’s time to move to the practical part. Before we start talking about the writing process, here are some general tips to consider while you write a classification essay:
- First of all, identify the categories. After the topic for your future essay is selected, divide it into groups and establish logical connections between elements. You might say: “I take a similar approach when I need to do my term paper ,” and you are right. Try to be as thorough as you can, as leaving out an important category is entirely inappropriate if you want to write classification essay that will be appreciated by your teacher.
- Remember that it’s crucial to sort by a single standard. Once you have determined the categories, ascertain whether they fit the single organizing criteria set. Organizing criteria are how you categorize the items into groups. Do not let an inappropriate principle destroy the logic of the paper. For instance, if your topic is water sports and classification principle is tourist benefit, you should not use any other unifying principle and write about extreme or dangerous sports.
- Make sure you provide each group with examples equally for an objective and non-biased classification essay . Remember that you should write the same number of examples for each group. However, the biggest and the most critical group is usually reserved for last, so it might need a bit more detailed elaboration.
Learn more on the classification essay outline
One of the significant stages of creating any essay is structuring.
It is also our top tip for those who wonder: “What is the most crucial thing I pay attention to when I do my dissertation ?” That is why we will start answering the question, “how to write a classification essay?” with a detailed explanation on how to write a classification essay outline while making it detailed and proficient. Detailed outlining will let you to create a first draft and then polish it on the next stage of writing a good classification essay.
How to write a classification essay INTRODUCTION
Let’s take a closer look at the structure of a good classification essay. Remember that you should build your paper around the categories you write about, and I suggest using the following method of organizing your thoughts.
As with any other essay, you start with an introduction. Here you are supposed to state your topic, add a couple of descriptive details (don’t make it too long!) and suggest the purpose of your essay.
Remember to put your thesis statement in the last sentence of the introductory paragraph. You should also include the information about the topic and classification principle in your thesis statement. When you write a classification essay, feel free to name the categories if you wish and remember that your thesis statement should justify the specific groups chosen for classification. For example: Hawaiian tourists can enjoy many entertaining activities (topic), but some of the most popular are represented by three types of water sports (classification principle): sailing, snorkelling, and surfing (categories).
How to write a classification essay MAIN BODY
We’ve finished dealing with the introduction, and it’s time to start working on the body of your paper. “What is the right order of the arguments I list in the body paragraphs when I do my coursework or write a classification essay?” – we hear you asking. Let’s find out.
Remember that each body paragraph in the classification essay outline should open with a topic sentence that serves as a central element of the whole paragraph. Your topic sentence should narrow the focus of the entire essay to the category discussed in a particular paragraph. For example: “Sailing in Hawaii is one tradition that has remained unchangeable over the years.” After your topic sentence is ready, maintain it with additional details and provide a more comprehensive illustration of the category. Classification essays require many details and examples.
You may structuralize your body paragraphs in any order, just make sure it is logical. For instance, you may start writing about the most common types of water sports and move to the least familiar. However, do not forget to establish logical connections between the categories – compare them, comment, summarize or augment some essential details. Feel free to use the following transitional words, which are the most appropriate for usage in a classification essay: firstly, subsequently, lastly, initially, in regard to, in terms of, the first kind (group, type), the second group (kind, type), the third type (group, kind), etc.
How to write a classification essay CONCLUSION
Now let’s focus on the conclusion for a classification essay. In the concluding paragraph, you have an opportunity to blend all the categories and approaches you have been investigating. You are free in structure for the closing paragraph. For instance, you may write about each type discussed in the classification essay again, summarizing its strong and weak points, or you may emphasize the advantages of one category over the other and explain the reasons – just make sure your classification essay conclusion meets the purpose of the essay and conveys your main idea or inference properly.
Briefly speaking, when you write a classification essay, you should identify the topic in the introduction, present your classification principle in the thesis statement, develop the topic and establish connections in the main body, and, finally, draw some inferences about the group or the topic in general in your conclusion. Do I use the same logic when I do my personal statement and write a conclusion? Yes, and you should not hesitate to ask our writers for help if you need to craft an insightful concluding paragraph.
Stages of writing a classification essay
We’ve finished with the theoretical part of our guide, and now we are moving to the practical one. We know that the writing process is highly creative and it’s hard to set rules and time limits, but we still believe that having a plan will help you while writing. So, how to write a classification essay? We can offer you the following set of actions:
- Select a topic of interest and limit it. If your instructor does not provide you with a particular topic, choose it independently and refer to the subject of your interest. For instance, consider the following options and use them as a basis for a classification essay:
- Evaluate local daycare options by affordability.
- Establish an individual classification criteria set for evaluating movies and TV-programs .
- Break the topic of a classification essay into patterns . After your topic is selected, you should consider all the possible options of its classification and carry out some research.
- Choose a classification principle. You need to choose the most important aspect of a certain topic and select the categories related to this aspect. Make sure that all of your categories are logically connected and have the same basis of classification. For instance, if you are writing about jobs and you classify them by type of employment, you should write about freelance, part-time, and full-time jobs, but omit the details about workplace routine, difficulty, purpose, etc.
- Consider the importance of each category. Once you have divided your topic into groups under similar classification criteria, evaluate the importance of each group and decide how you will organize your essay. You may begin with the most important group and finish with the least necessary or vice versa.
- Establish the purpose of the classification essay. Once you have evaluated the importance of each category, set up the purpose of your writing and do your best to achieve it!
- Put your ideas into a diagram or outline. It will help you to begin your first draft successfully, and finally organize your ideas in the most logical way. It is also one of the first things our experts do when you ask them: “Help me do my college essay .”
- Develop a thesis statement. Remember that your thesis statement should refer to the specific topic, establish a basis for categorization, and name the groups you have developed. A working thesis statement must be meaningful and clear.
- Start writing an introduction. Open your classification essay by explaining the importance and purpose of writing, evaluate your role in the research, and explain which classification method you use and why.
- Write topic sentences and body paragraphs of a classification essay. Dedicate each topic sentence to a certain element or group from your thesis statement and expand their meaning in the body paragraphs. Do not dedicate one paragraph to highlighting the specifics of two or more categories, as it will ruin the logical order of developing a thought.
- Sum up the ideas in the conclusion for a classification essay. Summarize the main concepts highlighted in the body paragraphs and draw some inferences. Express the limitations of your classification, if there are any.
- Proofread the classification essay. One of the biggest mistakes students make is forgetting to proofread the paper and submitting it with grammar or spelling mistakes. Proofread the classification essay thoroughly and correct the mistakes, if there are any.
- Check the classification essay for plagiarism. Even if you did not use someone else’s words, you could forget to cite all the sources properly. To avoid misunderstandings, check your paper and make sure it is 100% original.
Guidelines and tightening your essay
Now you know a lot about a great classification essay, but the question is: what to write about? Though the choice of the classification essay ideas seems exceedingly difficult, there is a classical way of moving your ideas in the right direction. Look through the classification essay topics suggested below and develop your own.
- Types of users in a social network (evaluate them by appearance, behavior, or activity)
- Types of artists (classification by area of proficiency, popularity or artistic values)
- Extracurricular activities: unusual, unexpected, and common
- The most popular ways to keep fit (diets, exercising, giving up bad habits, etc.)
- Types of health and their importance in modern life (physical, emotional, spiritual, social, mental, and environmental.)
You can find more topics for classification essay and other types of essays in our book Essay Becomes Easy on Amazon. You will forget what struggling over a topic means with our awesome topic list! It is a universal approach you can use when you think “I need someone to help me do my research paper ” or”I wish there was someone to help me do my powerpoint presentation and choose the right topic for it.”
Read this awesome classification essay example
We want to not only help you in defining the types of friends classification essay, format, structuring, and styling aspects. We also hope that after reading this outstanding classification essay on friends sample, you will see how a working classification essay must be arranged and written. Keep in mind that you can always turn to our service with a “Help me do my paper for cheap ” request and hire the best writer. Our experts will be glad to assist you with your “Please do my APA paper ” request as well. They know all about formatting.
Classification Essay – Types of Friends
In the world, there are friends, close friends, and best friends. With a friend, you share common interests and find each other’s company pleasant, but your relationship does not delve much deeper. A close friend is someone you have known for at least a few years, and in that time, you have shared emotional experiences. The closest type of friend is a best friend; to be best friends, you have known each other for more than a decade, you have shared emotional experiences, and you have a shared trauma. Being a best friend means you have been there for the fun times as well as the difficult times, and these times bond you to each other.
You share similar interests with a friend, and you enjoy his or her company. Furthermore, according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, “a friend is a person who has a strong liking for and trust in another person” ( Friend Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster). Using this paragraph’s topic sentence and the dictionary’s definition of a friend, one can contend that a friend is a person with whom you attend a party or watch a football game. You and a friend have a good time because, as the definition states, you have a “strong liking for and trust” in each other. However, your time spent with a friend will not go much further than this mutual like and trust of each other. For example, with a friend, you may not share intimate thoughts or experiences. While you trust a friend, you do not trust a friend too deeply. This is not a bad thing, however, for you do enjoy your time with a friend, and it is good to have friends with whom you can keep conversations light and fun.
A close friend is created over time and through shared emotional experiences. To become a close friend, your level of trust goes deeper than with a friend. You and a best friend have had intimate experiences, and the level of friendship goes beyond trust to help. For instance, when a close friend moves, you will help him or her pack his or her belongings. You will, of course, hate to see a close friend move away, but you believe it is an obligation of close friend status to help with the move. Not only will you help a best friend pack and move, but a best friend can improve your emotional and physical health. The online article “Making Good Friends” states that “good friends relieve stress…developing close friendships can also have a powerful impact on your physical health” (Making Good Friends – HelpGuide.org). From the source, we see that not only do close (good) friends help you move your possessions, but close friends can make you more relaxed and promote good health, meaning that close friends are good for you internally and externally.
The final type of friend is a best friend, and a best friend is a person you have known for over a decade, have shared emotional experiences, and shared trauma. For a best friend, you take them to the airport and pick them up; you help a best friend pack, and then you drive the moving truck for a best friend. In addition to helping a best friend travel or move, you and a best friend have shared good times together. These good times can range from road trips to birthday weekend getaways to shared vacations. Time spent with a best friend will be more intense than with a friend or a close friend. These intense times can also mean that a best friend has been there for you when you were at your most vulnerable. A best friend helps you cope with the passing of a loved one, a failed romance, or the loss of a job. Just as we saw that a close friend provides emotional and physical health benefits, a best friend administers those same benefits, with the added plus of knowing you as well as you know yourself. Knowing the nuances of your personality and applying them to the traumatic situation allows a best friend to know the best words to say and the best actions to perform in order to safely get you through a trying time.
As we have seen, there are three types of friends. On the entry-level is a friend, a person with whom you share interests and enjoy being around, but the relationship does not get too serious. The next type of friend is a close friend. You will have known a close friend for a few years, and you will enjoy sharing experiences together. The highest type of friend is a best friend, a person who has all of the elements of a friend and a close friend with the addition of going through hard times with you. Friends are good to have, and it is good to have multiple types of friends for multiple situations in your life.
Works Cited
“friend.” Merriam-Webster.com . Merriam-Webster, 2022. Web. 13 April 2022. https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/friend#:~:text=1%20%3A%20a%20person%20who%20has,a%20friend%20to%20environmental%20causes. Web. 13 April 2022. Robinson, Lawrence, et al. “Making Good Friends.” https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/making-good-friends.htm#:~:text=Friends%20bring%20more%20happiness%20into,impact%20on%20your%20physical%20health. Accessed 13 April 2022.
Mistakes to avoid while writing a classification essay
And we’re almost there. Now that you know everything you are supposed to do, let’s have a look at some mistakes that should be avoided while writing your paper. If you want to ensure you do not make these mistakes while working on your essay, just leave your “ do my assignment ” request by filling out an order form.
– First of all, make sure you do not leave a category out of attention. For example, if you write about healthy diets, you cannot avoid dairy products just because you don’t like them.
– Secondly, do not write about too many categories. It will blur your essay and make the classification less precise.
– You should use a similar criteria set. For example, if you are writing about water sports popular among tourists, you shouldn’t include ratings of water sports among natives who live near the seaside.
– Support the topic with examples equally. Providing an unequal number of examples for some category will make a particular group less significant than others.
Classification essay writing checklist
Wow, you’ve done an amazing job so far if you have been following this guide while writing. Even if you haven’t, this is still useful! Let’s make sure once again that your paper contains everything it should, and then you can send it to your professor. You can create a similar checklist when you write a cause and effect essay as well. It will help you ensure you do not miss any crucial details.
- Have you determined the purpose of writing and explained it in the introduction?
- Have you clearly identified the group you are categorizing?
- Have you written about your topic, categorizing principle, and groups developed in your thesis sentence?
- Does your thesis statement justify the groups chosen for deeper analysis?
- Does each of your body paragraphs open with a topic sentence?
- Do your topic sentences narrow the topic of the whole paper to the topic of a particular paragraph?
- Have you complimented topic sentences with background information and descriptive details to expand readers’ knowledge about certain categories?
- Is the structure of your body paragraphs and connection between them logical?
- Have you used transitions and comparisons for enhancing the structure of the main body?
- Have you blended together all the investigated categories in the concluding paragraph?
- Have you made a logical inference in the conclusion (provided a summary of strong and weak points of each category or emphasized the advantages of one category over the other)?
- Have you achieved the purpose of writing which was established in the introductory paragraph?
- Have you used a single classification principle?
- Have you made sure not to forget about any important categories to write about?
- Have you avoided including inappropriate or unimportant categories in your essay?
- Have you supported each category with examples equally?
- Have you established logical connections between categories?
FAQ on classification essay writing you often ask
1. how do you start a classification essay.
Students should open a classification essay, as any standard essay, with an introduction. The first paragraph must present the subject and explain the topic to readers. Note that it should contain some highlights on how the topic divides into more minor issues and groups.
2. What is the purpose of classification?
The core idea of classification is breaking the vast subject into smaller subgroups of subjects. In addition, classification means dividing the subgroups by categories and developing the overall purpose.
3. How to write a thesis statement for a classification essay?
After you decide on the topic for a classification essay, you need to develop the main thesis. Before you proceed with the core idea for your paper, you must define the core categories and subgroups that relate to the subject. To generate a working thesis statement, you must include:
- The names of things you will classify.
- The types of categories you developed.
- The basics of the complete classification.
4. How does a classification essay differ from other types of essays?
The main idea of writing a classification and division essay is to organize things related to the whole subject into subgroups and categories. It is vital to include examples of items for each group and class.
5. How to write a hook for a classification essay?
The hook must be presented in an introduction part of an essay. In addition to explaining the prerequisites and aims of the classification, it should contain an element that will draw readers’ attention. A hook can be a joke, a quotation, a surprising fact, a rhetorical question, etc., related to the topic.
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- JCTC Learning Commons
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Writing Academic Essays
- Classification Essay
- Introduction
What is a classification essay?
Topics and categories, examples of good and bad topics.
- Process Essay
- Compare and Contrast Essay
- Cause and Effect Essay
- Argumentative Essay
- Reaction Essay
- Grammar This link opens in a new window
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When confronted with a complicated subject, we are often overwhelmed with information. A classification essay is designed to take a complex topic and break it down into more manageable and understandable categories, digestible pieces that a reader can easily break down.
This method of organization can be seen in how we structure and categorize our everyday lives. Take the Jefferson Learning Commons, as an example. The library houses thousands of books, which would be hard to browse if they were thrown haphazardly on shelves. Instead, all the fiction is organized alphabetically by author on the first floor, while the second floor houses all the non-fiction organized by subject. This allows a student to find the book they are looking for without searching every shelf.
Topics: When choosing a topic make sure the topic is complex enough to be divided into categories, while not being so broad that the reader is overwhelmed with categories.
Categories: Since a classification essay breaks a topic or subject into categories, it is important for each category to be distinct from one another. Categories that overlap will be nebulous and difficult for a reader to understand. Topics can be broken down many ways. If one way isn’t working, try brainstorming a new way to divide the topic.
Good Topic: Transportation
Categories:
- Taxi (Uber or Lyft)
- Personal Automobile
Each category is distinct from one another, with a single defining feature.
Bad Topic: Video game genres
- Roleplay (RPG)
- Japanese RPG (JRPG)
The differences of some categories are very murky. A RPG is defined by things like character creation and level progression. However, these two elements are found in many soulslike games. This makes the topic of video game genres difficult to breakdown into easily definable categories.
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- Last Updated: Jan 23, 2024 2:52 PM
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