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Classification

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8 views

Classification

Uploaded by

yousfdoghman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Classification Essay

A classification essay is written by organizing or dividing material into specific categories. When writing a
classification essay, it is necessary to choose a topic that can be dissected into smaller or more defined
groups that all pertain to the topic’s classification.

For example, say Mike’s parents are making him clean out the garage. He is overwhelmed by the pile of
items consuming the garage, so he decides to sort them into smaller, less intimidating, groups. Instead of
dividing the items into random piles, he chooses to organize them into categories like trash, tools, and
items to sell. Mike’s process of cleaning the garage is very similar to the process of writing a classification
essay.

Classification essay process:


1) Introduction: Describe the topic of the essay by using broad opening statements. As the introduction
progresses, get more specific about the topic and the importance of the text. At the end of the
introduction, a thesis should be included. The thesis should include the topic, the classification of the
topic, and the categories into which the topic will be divided into.

Ex: Items found in a cluttered garage often include trash, tools, and items to sell.
(Topic) (Classification) (Categories)

2) Body Paragraphs: Each category listed in the thesis statement should have its own body paragraph. In
other words, each body paragraph should focus on only one category. Classification essays can be as
long or short as necessary, depending on the number of categories listed in the thesis. Support each
category with several examples that provide evidence and further prove the validity of the points.
Typically, each category should be supported with the same number of examples. In this section of the
paper, the goal is to explain each category. For example, what makes a horror film, or what makes a
comedy film. It is important to explain how each example fits into its category. This helps the reader
differentiate between the different points.

3) Conclusion: Conclude classification essays by re-emphasizing the main points. It is important to restate
and rewrite the thesis of the essay at the beginning of the conclusion. Be careful to avoid rewriting it
word for word. This will refresh the reader’s memory and allow him or her to form complete ideas
about the information given. Unlike an introduction, it is best for the conclusion paragraph to start
specific and lead into broader topics. Do not mention any information that was not previously
discussed in the essay.

Original material copyright © Dallas Baptist University. All rights reserved. Other copyrighted material included by permission or
authorization. Created by UWC Staff for Dallas Baptist University. http://www.dbu.edu/uwc. August 2015.

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